Welcome to our revamped Bookmark column! Instead of themed book lists, we’re dedicating this space to showcasing the latest and soon-to-be-released Canadian books for young readers. It’s our way of championing the amazing work Canadian publishers are putting into the hands of kids and teens everywhere.
Picture Books
A Baby on My Back
written by Ceporah Mearns
illustrated by Tindur Peturs
Inhabit Media, 2026
IL: Ages 3-6 RL: Grades 1-2
Inuit babies spend much of their time in the warm embrace of their mother’s amaut, the snug pouch in the back of a woman’s parka where babies and small children can be carried. In this heartwarming story, a little girl helps out her busy aunt by packing her baby cousin in a cozy amaut. She walks her cousin and sings sweetly to her, finally lulling the fussy baby to sleep. Sharing a beautiful tradition that Inuit girls have practised for generations, author Ceporah Mearns shows young readers the joy of helping to care for the babies in their families.
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A Door Is to Open
written by Kyo Maclear
illustrated by Julie Morstad
Tundra Books, 2026
IL: Ages 3-7 RL: Grades 2-3
There are so many kinds of doors: swinging doors and sliding doors, screen doors for feeling the night air, revolving doors for going around and around. Doors that open into... anything you can imagine! A birthday party, a shipwreck on the salty sea floor, a fairy's tiny home, a slide into a room full of pillows! Or even the fantastical future ahead. Where will the doorway of this picture book lead? The only way to find out is to turn the page and go through...
In a playful ode to Ruth Krauss's A Hole Is to Dig and Remy Charlip's essay A Page Is a Door, this imagination-sparking picture book from an award-winning duo will be welcomed by anyone who is entering a new phase of life—and invites readers of all ages to embrace the marvellous possibilities that wait for them behind every new door.
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Drew’s Secret Talent
Written by D.D. Sheppard
Illustrated by Pheilm Martin
Breakwater Books, 2026
IL: Ages 3-8 RL: Grades 2-3
Talent can be discovered in the most unexpected of places! With a little inspiration and a magical cape, Drew learns to embrace his creativity with confidence and pride.
The school talent show is just around the corner, and every kid has signed up to perform—except Drew. Drew thinks he doesn’t have any talents worth sharing. He loves butterflies, his grandma, and playing pretend—but those aren’t talents, right? Talents are juggling, singing, or magic tricks! He is discouraged, until his grandma brings him to a special event at the library. After seeing an unforgettable performance and hearing some inspiring advice, Drew learns to embrace his true self and discovers that he just might have some talents after all!
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Gotcha Day
written by Deborah Kerbel
llustrated by Udayana Lugo
Orca Book Publishers, 2026
IL: Ages 3-5 RL: Grades 1-2
A stray pup wanders the streets, growling, prowling and scared, until an animal control officer finds him and takes him to a shelter. There, he gets fed, groomed and perfumed, so he's ready to find a new home. As people come and go, the dog waits and waits and waits... until someone exclaims, “This pup!” A little girl knows he's the perfect dog for her. Told in rhyming text, this sweet story shows that even a down-on-his-luck pooch can find his forever home.
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The Sea We Call Home
written by Dominique Demers
illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
Pajama Press, 2026
IL: Ages 4-8 RL: Grades 2-3
Little Gnouf and Mirabe-lle are ecstatic! They are going to see the sea for the first time in their lives; however, they never expected to find a young whale caught in a fishing net and washed ashore when they arrived. With the help of some new friends, the Gnoufs start devising a plan to free the little whale and get him back to the sea he calls home, but for two little Gnoufs, rescuing a whale is a big task. Mirabelle and Little Gnouf are determined to help, but are they up to the task? Available in French as L'été de la petite baleine from Dominique et compagnie.
Early Readers & Middle Grade Fiction
The Bins Breakout
(The Racc Pack, Book 3)
written by Stephanie Cooke
illustrated by Whitney Gardner
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026
IL: Ages 7-10 RL: Grades 2-3
After Dusty, Scraps, and ReRe Bins’s pursuit of food has the unexpected side effect of thwarting a notorious ring of thieves at the art museum, they are recognized as hometown heroes and put on special exhibition at the zoo to meet their public.
At first, the scrappy raccoons and possum are living the good life, full of food and free of responsibility! But despite their celebrity treatment, the trio start to realize the zoo isn’t the cushy gig they thought it was—after all, they’re stuck behind bars!
A conniving beaver offers to help them, but at a price: in return, they have to sneak her sculpture into the museum of contemporary art so she can finally become a famous artist. Do the Bins have what it takes to break out of one place and break into another?
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Dawn on the Coast: A Graphic Novel
(The Baby-Sitters Club, Book 19)
written by Ann M. Martin
adapted by Arley Nopra
illustrated by Arley Nopra
Graphix/Scholastic Inc., 2026
IL: Ages 8-12 RL: Grades 3-4
Dawn can't wait for her trip to California. Aside from all the sun and fun, it's her first visit since her brother, Jeff, moved back to live with their dad. California is better than Dawn ever remembered it. The beaches are beautiful, the local theme park is a blast, and Dawn is enjoying all her favourite foods. Plus, Dawn's best friend, Sunny, has even started her own baby-sitting club! Things are going so well that Dawn begins to wonder if she might want to stay in California with her dad and Jeff.
Dawn is a California girl at heart, but could she really leave Stoneybrook—and her mom and the Baby-Sitters Club—for good?
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The Inbetweens
written and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks
First Second, 2026
IL: Ages 10-14 RL: Grades 4-5
Twin sisters Sloane and Ash are two peas in a pod, and they do everything together: watch movies, attend classes, and most importantly, draw! So when the summer animation classes of their dreams are about to start, they can barely contain their excitement!
Well… Ash is excited but Sloane is surprised to find she isn’t as jubilant about it, which makes no sense, since she loves art. Meanwhile, Ash discovers that just because you love something, doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be good at it, and she struggles under the weight of her own expectations and those of her teacher’s. Soon, the trials of challenging classwork and new friendships drive a wedge between the twins. Can their bond survive the summer?
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Izzy Wong’s Drama Disaster
written by Marty Chan
Orca Book Publishers, 2026
IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 4-5
Izzy's starting at the local arts-based middle school where she'll be in both the performing and technical programs, since podcasting requires both sets of skills. Soon Izzy learns that a rivalry divides the acting students, known as "the Talent," and the tech students, called "the Techies." Lately the rivalry is more bitter than ever because someone has been making nasty memes of Brody Hogan, one of the Talent.
Before long Izzy's podcast is up and running as she interviews classmates and gathers clues about who might be behind the memes—but it isn't easy keeping socially afloat in two different programs, let alone snooping around treating everyone like a suspect. Soon the memester moves on to other targets, including Izzy, and when Izzy's parents find out, they want her to go to the principal. Now Izzy has a deadline. Can she find the culprit before the case is out of her hands?
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The Next Big Pigs
written by Ryan Uytdewilligen
illustrated by Charlotte Cho
Wandering Fox, 2026
IL: Ages 7-9 RL: Grades 2-3
Ten-year-old Mikey is a farm kid who doesn’t want to farm. He wants to perform! But as an only child living in an isolated location, he has no one to talk to, let alone perform for. Life is pretty lonely until the day Mikey’s parents give him three pigs to care for and raise.
As Mikey soon finds out, these are no ordinary pigs! Humphrey, Bianca, and Moo (yes, a pig named Moo) can talk! And dance! And put on show! Life on the farm transforms into a rehearsal space as Mikey and the pigs get ready for the big time—Broadway here they come!
But will they make it off the farm in time to escape the evil Mr. Baconmaker? And will their dreams of fame and fortune come true? The Next Big Pigs is a zany adventure that will encourage young readers to find their voice and pursue their talents.
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Young Adult Fiction
The Blind Date Agreement
written by Jessica Cunsolo
Wattpad Books, 2026
IL: Ages 13 and up RL: Grades 8-9
Carina has zero issues with being single—even though her best friends, Emi and Kalani, are coupled up. She’s got more than enough to keep her busy between schoolwork, her part-time job at her family’s bakery, and her art. Besides, Carina adores Emi’s partner, Daphne, they always make her feel included and not like a third wheel. Kalani’s another story—being around her and her boyfriend is complicated. That’s why Kalani takes matters into her own hands and arranges a series of blind dates for Carina.
There’s just one hitch: Carina doesn’t want to go. Being single isn’t the problem. The fact that she’s in love with Kalani’s boyfriend, Emmett, is and no amount of distraction can fix that. But with prom on the horizon, the idea of being a fifth, seventh, or eleventh wheel weighs heavily on Carina’s mind. So, she agrees.
And it’s a complete disaster. And every date is worse than the one before. Except for one, pink-short-wearing Jay, who pushes Carina in ways she never expected. Soon she finds herself in a complicated battle between friendship and romance, and she must decide which form of love matters most to her—and which one will surprise her.
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Infinite Shores
(The Drowned Gods Trilogy, Book 3)
written by Pascale Lacelle
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026
IL: Ages 14 and up RL: Grades 9-10
Emory refuses to lose Romie again. Her friend’s fate hangs in the balance as the monstrous Clover plans to use her as a sacrifice to steal power from the deity Atheia—and make himself into a proper god. To stop Clover, Emory needs the help of Atheia’s dark counterpart, Sidraeus. Yet this enigmatic deity cannot be trusted, and if Emory is to ally with him, she must invoke an ancient magic to keep him tethered to her side.
Meanwhile, in the divine workshop of the god of balance, Baz learns he has a role to play in the coming fight to save the crumbling worlds and their weakening magics. Yet all he can think of is Kai and the gruesome fate that awaits him at Clover’s side—a fate, the god tells him, that is beyond even his reach. But Baz is determined to save Kai, even if he has to rewrite time itself.
As chaos reigns and the tides of a corrupted magic threaten to consume all, Emory and Baz must contend with mercurial gods, vengeful deities, and those hell-bent on eradicating Eclipse magic to save the people they love—and write an ending to their stories that defies fate itself.
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Kat vs. Dogs
(Orca Anchor)
written by Jocelyn Shipley
Orca Book Publishers, 2026
IL: Ages 12 and up RL: Grades 2-3
Kat quickly learns that if she wants to keep her job, she's going to have to try to overcome her fears. Then Kat meets Hiro, a famous (and cute) dog influencer at the store. Kat starts watching his videos in hopes of getting over her fear of dogs, and soon she's crushing hard on Hiro. But if she's not a dog person, she doesn't stand a chance. Before she even realizes it, she's telling Hiro she loves dogs.
When Hiro asks Kat to look after his corgi, Pickle, Kat questions whether she can fall for dogs as hard as she's fallen for Hiro. Will she own up to her lie or finally overcome her fear?
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading-level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
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Maybe Tomorrow I’ll Know
written by Alex Ritany
Norton Young Readers, 2026
IL: Ages 13 and up RL: Grades 8-9
Laurie wakes up in a girl’s body with no memories, driving down an unknown highway, and promptly crashes the car. Thankfully, a handsome stranger named Gideon comes to his rescue. It’s awkward for Laurie to pretend that he’s a girl, but at least this is the scariest thing he’ll ever have to deal with.
Except the next morning—and every morning after—Laurie wakes up barreling down that same highway. He re-meets Gideon every day, with no idea who this girl whose body he’s inhabiting even is. Only one thing is clear: he’s on a countdown. Laurie has been given only one hundred days to get back in the right body, break the time loop, and not fall for Gideon while he does it.
Maybe Tomorrow I’ll Know is a funny, deeply felt exploration of love, identity, and what it means to move through the world in a body that is truly yours.
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The Moth Dreamer
written by Amy Lynn Farrell
HighWater Press, 2026
IL: Ages 12-15 RL: Grades 7-8
Sixteen-year-old Aubrey is horrified when a vision about her cousin’s death comes true. Overcome with grief, Aubrey begins to see more troubling visions about the futures of those around her. To make matters worse, a mysterious Trickster keeps visiting her dreams with cryptic messages she doesn’t understand.
As Aubrey’s well-being unravels, a dark creature—one that feeds on suffering—begins stalking her. With the help of her Kokum, a medicine woman, Aubrey learns to tap into her spiritual strength. But when the creature crosses into the real world, Aubrey must find the strength to protect her family, and in doing so, confront her guilt and find peace.
The Moth Dreamer is a gripping tale that blends Anishinaabe traditions with a haunting journey through the physical and spiritual realms. Includes discussion questions written by the author at the back of the book.
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Non-Fiction
Fiddlehead Forest
(Little Habitats, Book 2)
written and illustrated by Jana Curll
Greystone Kids, 2026
IL: Ages 6-9 RL: Grades 2-3
When a tree falls in the forest, Fern is determined to step up and lead a rescue mission to raise it back up to its grand height. With the help of her quirky and ambitious forest friends—Millipede, Moth, Slug, Lichen, and Mushroom—the crew springs to action in search of LOG-ical solutions to restore the tree to its upright position. Will they succeed in their mission? You’ll never be-LEAF what happens next!
This series of graphic novels for young readers introduces children to nature’s small and vital ecosystems. Full of humor and hijinks, each book in the series features a heartwarming story set in a different habitat, with accompanying fact pages throughout.
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Marching North
written by Yolanda T. Marshall
illustrated by Lavrova Daria
Chalkboard Publishing, 2026
IL: Ages 5-10 RL: Grades 2-3
When Aunty Evangelina gifts Abiola an old compass, it becomes more than just a keepsake; it symbolises direction, courage, and identity. She introduces Abiola to the remarkable legacy of Black Caribbean soldiers who served and fought for Canada during the First and Second World Wars. These men travelled from the warmth of their Caribbean nations to foreign battlefields, facing prejudice and hardship while remaining determined to serve with honour. Many returned to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, and community leaders. They were true heroes whose resilience helped shape Canada’s history.
This beautifully illustrated book not only inspires kids to stand up for what’s right but also educates and encourages them to appreciate the contributions of the remarkable Black Canadian soldiers.
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Raven & Friends: A Roy Henry Vickers Colouring Book for Kids
illustrated by Roy Henry Vickers
Harbour Publishing, 2026
IL: Ages 6-8 RL: n/a
Beloved Tsimshian artist Roy Henry Vickers brings the magic of the Northwest Coast to younger artists in a fun colouring book for kids! The collection features thirty bold and beautiful images of iconic West Coast animals—including soaring eagles, sleeping foxes, salmon, wolves, cranes, bears and leaping orca families—all inspired by Vickers’s art.
With large, easy-to-colour designs and sturdy paper perfect for crayons, markers or coloured pencils, this book is perfect for rainy days, road trips or creative quiet time, and a fun, hands-on introduction to the beauty of the land and the rich cultural traditions of the Northwest Coast.
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West Coast Wild Seashore Hide and Seek
(West Coast Wild, Book 7)
Written by Deborah Hodge
Illustrated by Karen Reczuch
Groundwood Books, 2026
IL: Ages 0-3 RL: Grades 1-2
What seashore treasures can you find at low tide? Sea stars creep, anemones wave, sea urchins nestle and sand dollars burrow! Meet the bright and beautiful seashore creatures of the Pacific west coast. See them at low tide—before the ocean returns and they are hidden again. Toddlers and babies will be captivated by these colourful shoreline animals living in rhythm with the tides. The creatures in this book are commonly found on the coast from Northern California to western Alaska, with British Columbia, Washington and Oregon in between.
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Why Trust a Scientist? Shared Knowledge for a Bright Future
(Orca Think)
written by Kate MacDonald
illustrated by Teddy Kang
Orca Book Publishers, 2026
IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 4-5
Calling all future scientists! Our world is changing quickly, and our shared challenges can seem overwhelming. We need scientists to tackle climate change, harness the power of artificial intelligence, produce vaccines and so much more. But what does a scientist do all day? How do they decide which of our shared problems to address? How does an idea come to be “scientifically proven”?
Biologist Kate MacDonald provides the inside scoop on the scientific method, where it came from and why its results are trustworthy and not just an interesting observation. Young readers will learn about the human side of research and the creativity and collaboration at the heart of every scientific endeavor. Trust in science—our future depends on it.