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
The Bear Fairy
written by Paul Coccia
illustrated by Fred Blunt
Tundra Books, 2026
IL: Ages 3-7 RL: Grades 2-3
Fairies should be pretty and sparkly and dainty...not chubby, not fluffy and NOT lured in by potato chips. But when Spencer catches a fairy in the park, he's shocked to find that's exactly what he’s got! The Bear Fairy is no delicate Tinkerbell: he hogs the remote, drops crumbs everywhere and snores like a truck. But he's still a fairy, and when Spencer's friend insults the Bear Fairy's appearance and hurts his feelings, Spencer must step up to defend his new friend.
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Ellis on Guard
Written by Sal Sawler
Illustrated by Nandita Ratan
Second Story Press, 2026
IL: Ages 6-8 RL: Grades 2-3
Ellis worries… a lot. Ellis sees danger in places other people don’t. They worry about talking to new people. And they’re especially worried about losing their puppy, Peanut. If Ellis wrote out their list of worries, it would wrap around their house three times. But sometimes, our worries can be put to surprisingly good use.…
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Hamburger Soup
written by Samantha Beynon
illustrated by Kelsey Fitzgerald
Harbour Publishing, 2026
IL: Ages 6-8 RL: Grades 2-3
A young Nisg̱a’a boy, Simgan, learns to cook hamburger soup and fry bread with Grandmother on a crisp fall day. As they gather ingredients, chop vegetables and stir the pot, Grandmother remembers coastal fishing trips and community with friends—blending Nisg̲a’a vocabulary into her stories of food, family and tradition to create cultural memory and document everyday life. Indigenous people have many differences from Nation to Nation, yet the hamburger soup recipes in these households are often very similar. This story celebrates shared traditions, the wisdom of Elders and the importance of giving back to the community.
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My Language Is a Garden
written by E.G. Alaraj
illustrated by Rachel Wada
Orca Book Publishers, 2026
IL: Ages 6-8 RL: Grades 2-3
A parent invites a child to explore their language. In a driving rhythm, they speak about the language blossoming in deserts and plains, building castles and forts and motoring over roadways. Not hemmed in by borders, this language holds ancient knowledge, medicines and nourishment within it, and has explored the farthest reaches of the universe. The parent realizes that teaching their heritage language to their child will always connect them and allow them to grow a garden of language together. For the parents and caregivers who want to share their heritage language with the children in their lives, E.G. Alaraj has crafted this celebratory and inspiring poem in hopes it will get more conversations started and encourage kids to see the joy in discovering their roots.
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When Bryn's Ear Went Quiet
written by Nancy Hundal
illustrated by Ellen Rooney
Owlkids Books, 2026
IL: Ages 4-7 RL: Grades 2-3
When Bryn was four, she could hear birds chirping in the tall trees outside her house. But at seven, she can only hear those chirps in her left ear. Her right ear has become quieter. A hearing aid helps, but it isn’t always perfect. So, when Bryn learns about an operation called a cochlear implant that would improve her hearing, she jumps at the opportunity. Surgery can be scary, but her parents, doctors, and nurses help ease her anxieties. And with the help of her lucky rainbow elastic, hugs from her parents, and her own excitement, Bryn’s bravery shines through her fears. She can’t wait to hear the birds chirping and her mother singing in her right ear again.
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Early Readers & Middle Grade Fiction
The Healer and the Phoenix
(Legendary Allies, Book 1)
written by Linda Trinh
Annick Press, 2026
IL: Ages 7-11 RL: Grades 2-3
Welcome to the magical world of Van Lang, where in every generation, a team of four adventurous kids and their magical ally animals come together to help their communities recover from The Dark Times. When 10-year-old Starbright Mai is chosen as the newest member of Van Lang’s Legendary Allies Team by a phoenix named Ruby, her whole world changes overnight. Mai is thrust into a world of secret quests and magical powers. But she struggles to fit in with her new team, and why did Ruby, whose magical power is to heal, choose Mai anyway? Before long, Mai starts to feel like her place on the team is all a big mistake. But when the Legendary Allies get word of an illness, they must act quickly to help save the community. With all of Van Lang counting on them, Mai discovers a key to the cure: will her teammates believe her? And can she find the strength to believe in herself?
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Kaboom! Blast Off
(Kaboom!, Volume 1)
written by Jay Odjick
illustrated by KC Oster
Scholastic Canada, 2026
IL: Ages 8-12 RL: Grades 3-4
When we meet Zack, he’s being looked after by his super-cool Auntie Jess and dreaming of one day being like his hero, slick business tycoon Konstantin Pierce. Zack’s parents are away—yet again—for their important careers in “refrigerator sales.” Little does Zack know their true identities: Greywolf and Shadowbird are F.U.S.I.O.N agents on a mission to protect Indigenous artifacts from a nefarious tomb-robber! In this series launch, acclaimed creator and lifelong comics fan Jay Odjick introduces a superhero for our times.
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Meg and Greg: Moose on the Loose
(Meg and Greg, Book 7)
written by Elspeth Rae and Rowena Rae
illustrated by Elisa Elisa Gutiérrez
Orca Book Publishers, 2026
IL: Ages 6-8 RL: Grades 2-3
Join Meg and Greg as they help out in their community, from volunteering at the Blue Moon Animal Shelter and doing house repairs for their neighbour Mr. Chow to organizing a rodeo for the kids at Mount Royal Hospital and running a scary haunted house for the Blue Moon fundraiser. Plus, take a peek inside their community's Little Free Library in a bonus mini story!
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Planting Sunshine
written by Andrée Poulin
illustrated by Enzo Lord Mariano
Groundwood Books, 2026
IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 3-4
In a distant country, war is wreaking havoc. Theo, safe in his house, is horrified by the images of violence he sees on TV, and he can’t stop wondering why: Why the war? Why this senseless violence? Why so much hate? His dad says it’s complicated and has no real answers to give him. His friends at school say that kids shouldn’t be worried about faraway wars. But Theo can’t stop thinking about bombs destroying houses and schools. Inspired by an unusual act he sees on TV, where a woman gives seeds of the national flower to an enemy soldier, Theo wonders if there’s a way that he can help sow the seeds of peace.
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The Winter Vault
written by Michael Bedard
illustrated by Nbjoern Arthurs
Midtown Press, 2026
IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 4-5
While his mom is recovering from a breakdown, Peter travels to live with grandparents he barely knows. Nan and Pa are kind and caring, but Peter senses a strange silence between them, of some past unspoken pain. An old cemetery lies just beyond the stone wall at the end of his grandparents’ backyard, and Peter takes to walking this wall—transforming into a high-wire artist whose exploits he knows well. And so it begins. An extraordinary cast of characters will enter Peter’s life, drawing him into worlds he had never known to exist. Secrets and mysteries swirl like snowflakes above the ancient brick building standing among the headstones—the Winter Vault.
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Young Adult Fiction
The Cursed Queen's Daughter
(Thirstwood, Book 2)
written by Elly Blake
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2026
IL: Ages 14 and up RL: Grades 9-10
Fearless Thea has never known life outside of war. As the favourite daughter of the Sylvan King, she's a relentless fighter who longs to lead his army as First Huntsman, ignoring the pretty clothes and fanciful notions others enjoy. But when a mysterious dress full of dark magic appears on her hearth one evening, Thea doesn’t know how to fight an enemy she can't see or touch. Still, her curiosity builds as a new gown appears each night—until she gives in to temptation and is whisked to a forgotten land of shadows. The prince of the shadow realm is a handsome host, and while Thea does all she can to resist his charms, it's clear he knows something about the long-ago disappearance of Thea’s mother. All he asks in return is for Thea to dance with him, their dangerous attraction growing each time she returns for more information. Meanwhile, shadows are seeping into the living realm, and Thea may have to embrace her own darkness if she has any chance of saving her beloved sisters and home from an otherworldly threat.
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Daybreak, Volume 2
written and illustrated by Moosopp
WEBTOON Unscrolled, 2026
IL: Ages 13 and up RL: Grades 8-9
It’s senior year, and Marcus and Cog, two students from different friend groups, have just started hanging out. Between Marcus making lunch for Cog, Cog walking Marcus home, and accidental paper-eating incidents, they start to see one another in a new light. Over the course of movie nights and shopping trips, Marcus and Cog start spending even more time together over the winter break. So much so that everyone thinks that they’re boyfriends already. That might not be true… yet… but it might just be on the horizon.
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The Curse of Heartwood Academy
(Orca Soundings)
written by Marty Chan
Orca Book Publishers, 2026
IL: Ages 12 and up RL: Grades 2-3
In this high-interest, low-reading-level book, 15-year-old Allie Lau is not excited to attend Heartwood Academy, a posh boarding school deep in a remote forest. Subject to the whims of senior students, Allie faces an initiation ritual called the test, which requires her and other new students to spend the entire night in the forest. The senior students warn that a ghost lurks in the woods, preying on those who trespass. Allie braves the test, but when she accidentally kicks over a gravestone in an overgrown burial site, she finds herself pursued by some kind of zombie.
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To Deal with Kings
(Thieves & Kings, Book 2)
written by M.K. Lobb
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2026
IL: Ages 14 and up RL: Grades 9-10
After the pawn shop fire she believes killed Kane Durante, Zaria Mendoza is left with only a stolen necklace from the Crystal Palace—one that holds rare magical power and that Kane secretly slipped into her pocket before the flames consumed everything. Meanwhile, Kane, now the reluctant kingpin of Devil’s Acre after killing his predecessor, is pressured by Inspector Price to uncover the identity of a mysterious figure known as the Curator, who has planted a dangerous alchemological device in the Crystal Palace. With just 10 days to solve the mystery or face prison, Kane is forced to reunite with Zaria, who is being manipulated by a rival crime lord. As enemies close in from every side, the two must decide whether to trust each other again—or risk the fate of London itself.
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Visions From the Fire
(Dreams, Volume 2)
written by Wanda John-Kehewin
illustrated by nicole marie burton, Kielamel Sibal and Rhael McGregor
Highwater Press, 2026
IL: Ages 12 and up RL: Grades 7-8
For Damon Quinn, things have started to look up. He’s graduated from high school, saved enough money to buy his first car, his old bully has kind of become a friend, and he and Journey are growing closer. Ready for adventure, Damon, his mom Marnie, and Journey take a road trip out to Kehewin Cree Nation to attend a Sweat Ceremony and a Powwow, as well as reconnect with family. When Marnie learns of Damon's plan to meet up with his estranged father, the news sends shockwaves through the group. But Damon isn’t the only one keeping secrets. As Damon stumbles into a vision quest, he’ll discover more than he bargained for about his own history and the history his mother would prefer he never found out.
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Non-Fiction
The Cedar Mother
(Mothers of Xsan, Book 8)
written by Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson)
illustrated by Natasha Donovan
HighWater Press, 2026
IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 4-5
Meet Nox Sim Gan, the cedar mother, whose life cycle spans centuries and whose roots anchor the landscape. The cedar mother plays a vital role in the ecosystem: offering shelter for birds in her strong limbs, providing refuge for small creatures beneath her bark, and healing the Gitxsan with a medicinal tea made from her soft, green leaves. She also creates the very oxygen that all land-dwelling creatures need to breathe. Delve into the remarkable story of the western red cedar as you learn how she nourishes herself through an unexpected connection to salmon, the secret web of life that thrives beneath the ground, and how, at the end of her life, she leaves a final gift for the Gitxsan. This book invites young readers to discover the life of a tree that is much more than meets the eye, offering lessons in interconnectedness and in wisdom passed down through generations.
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Left-Handed: Getting a Grip on Handedness
written by Maria Birmingham
illustrated by Catherine Chan
Owlkids Books, 2026
IL: Ages 8-12 RL: Grades 3-4
Most of us define ourselves as lefties or righties based on the hand we use for writing. But what makes people prefer one hand over the other? And what if handedness doesn’t tell the whole story? Do we also favour one eye, one ear, or one foot? What about people who use different hands for different activities? Left-Handed examines all things lefty—from handedness in our ancient ancestors to lefty myths to current theories about the roles of genetics, environment, and brain structure. It also tackles intriguing questions: Why and when does someone become a lefty? Are humans the only left-handed animals? And what is it like to live a left-handed life in a right-handed world? With a blend of pop culture, sports, history, and STEM, this middle-grade non-fiction book tackles these questions and more, while celebrating the traits that make us unique, no matter which hand we use.
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One Cosmic Rock: The Story of the Asteroid that Changed Our World
written by Karen Krossing
illustrated by Julia Vasileva
Owlkids Books, 2026
IL: Ages 5-8 RL: Grades 2-3
Sixty-six million years ago, an asteroid hurtled through space toward an ancient Earth that looked very different from the one we know today. Back then, enormous creatures towered over marshes, soared above forests, and ruled the seas, while smaller life-forms scurried and snarled, swam and bloomed. Then—SMASH!—an icy cosmic rock crashed into the planet, and life on Earth was completely changed. Though many species were made extinct because of this one cosmic rock, some life found a way to continue and develop over millions of years, eventually evolving into the diverse life-forms—including humans!—that thrive on our planet today. With poetic text, stunning illustrations, and a child-centred conclusion, this accessible narrative non-fiction is perfect for STEM collections and sparking thought-provoking conversations about Earth’s history, the extinction of the dinosaurs, and evolution.
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Soccerology: Unbelievable Facts and Stories About the Beautiful Game
written and illustrated by Kevin Sylvester
Annick Press, 2026
IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 4-5
Colourful illustrations, fun infographics, and supercool trivia reveal all about the most-watched sport in the world. Begin with the game’s startling origins or turn to any chapter and dive in! You’ll discover historic firsts, trailblazing athletes, and the weirdest soccer records. Read unforgettable stories about players who pushed the boundaries of the game—sometimes by bending the rules. Learn why soccer had to become more inclusive before it could truly bring people together, and deepen your knowledge with easy-to-read charts, timelines, and further reading. Written and illustrated by former sports broadcaster and award-winning children’s book author Kevin Sylvester, Soccerology is a must-have that’s equally fascinating for soccer newbies and diehard fans.
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Sticking to the Facts: 10 Ways to Fight Misinformation
(Orca Take Action)
written by Gregor Craigie
illustrated by Bithi Sutradhar
Orca Book Publishers, 2026
IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 4-5
These days, finding information is a simple click away. But how can you tell if what you're reading is true or false? Or if it’s fact versus fiction? With fake news on the rise, fighting misinformation is more important than ever. But spreading false information isn’t only a product of the internet era—the human tendency to lie or mislead has been around as long as we’ve been sharing stories. Discover well-known episodes of misinformation throughout history. Read about real examples of fake news and learn how to spot it with 10 concrete actions, including how to investigate a source, weigh the evidence, ask the experts and look in the mirror to check your own bias.