We Recommend: Spring 2025

June 5, 2025

Picture Books | Middle Grade | YA/Teen | Non-Fiction

Picture Books

Akemi’s Song
written by Joanne Kwok
illustrated by Yiting Hui
Plumleaf Press, 2025
978-1-0690-9350-9 (hc) $24.95
for Preschool to Grade 2

Picture Book | Birds | Self-Discovery | Nature | Taiwan

Akemi, a fledgling flamecrest, has been chosen by her elders to sing on the morning of the Lunar New Year. Her mother and her father’s songs are about home, love, and hope. She worries, what shall she sing? Her mother sends Akemi off on her quest. The young bird visits Jade Mountain, the tallest peak in Taiwan. There, she finds strength. Next, she flies to the Taroko Gorge and discovers courage. Finally, she flies to Sun Moon Lake, where she meets her Nai Nai, her grandmother. She listens to Nai Nai’s song and displays her own determination to complete her task. Akemi and Nai Nai return to the family tree in the Alishan forest just in time for Akemi to sing her very own song of being as mighty as a mountain, as fearless as a waterfall, and as determined as her parents and grandmother. Her song is full of home, love, and hope.

This allegorical story wanders much like the ribbons of musical notes that float among the trees, and like Akemi herself, from place to place; yet, there is a sense of cohesion. This is primarily achieved through the graceful watercolour illustrations, which softly and majestically depict the natural scenes with double-page vistas and delicate spot illustrations. Particularly alluring is the double-page spread of Akemi and her mother, who stand out in their yellow, white, and olive plumage (males have a bright orange crown) against a profusion of pink plum blossoms.

The included backmatter briefly describes all the flora and fauna that appear in the story. A map of Taiwan indicates the locations of the places Akemi visits.

As she listens to other songs and observes the wonders of nature, Akemi unlocks her own voice, her own song in this gentle and evocative story.

Theo Heras is an author and a former children’s librarian living in Toronto.

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Bella and Bean
written by Sandra Bradley
illustrated by Udayana Lugo
Pajama Press, 2025
978-1-77278-337-7 (hc) $22.95
for Kindergarten to Grade 2

Picture Book | Dreams | Perseverance | Teamwork

Bella is a young hippopotamus with a big dream. While her best friend, Bean, only wants to grow up and get bigger, Bella wants more. She dreams of turning her local watering hole into a glorious spa for all the animals in the area to enjoy. As Bella begins to put her plan into action, Bean is more focused on lounging in the water and playing in the mud than helping out. But eventually, Bean comes around, and the two friends begin to create something very special.

At first, the monkeys, giraffes, elephants, and birds are quite skeptical of the plan, thinking it’s an unusual, far-fetched, and unrealistic idea. But Bella and Bean convince them to take part and find that teamwork and perseverance ultimately pay off.

This picture book is a beautiful exploration of the power of yet. The character of Bella provides a wonderful example of youthful positivity in the face of adversity. Young readers will admire the vibrant illustrations as well as the author’s focus on turning big ideas into reality.

Bella and Bean would make a wonderful addition to any home or classroom bookshelf, with strong connections to goal-setting, growth mindset, and how perseverance can lead to incredible things. A heartfelt message from the author to young readers at the end of the book is the icing on the cake.

Danny Neville is an educator, children’s author, and editor-in-chief of The Teaching Librarian magazine.

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Book cover of "The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (And Other Mysterious Creatures)."

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (And Other Mysterious Creatures) 
written and illustrated by Jami Gigot 
Kids Can Press, 2025 
978-1-5253-1263-2 (hc) $21.99 
978-1-5253-1313-4 (ebook) $13.99 
for Kindergarten to Grade 2  

"Bears can be brutish, and rattlesnakes ruthless, but there is one species that is so dangerous, and so treacherous, that Bigfoots have come to fear them above all others ... CAMPERS!" The narrator—a large, lumbering, furry character—explains why the Bigfoots were forced to escape deep into the forests, hidden from view. It was because of campers who continuously took their photographs, soiled their gardens and contaminated their water supply. "But FEAR NOT, my furry friends!" Bigfoot reassures his kindred species. "If you follow this easy set of guidelines, you will be completely safe from these fierce creatures." And so begins the recitation of 10 simple rules to protect Bigfoots from annoying human intruders: "Never EVER allow yourself to be seen by a camper... If you are discovered, find cover immediately... If all else fails, try playing dead." However, can Bigfoot follow his own advice when he helps a lost camper return to her campground friends?  Jami Gigot's humorous story is definitely a case of "Do as I say, not as I do." Readers will witness the kindly Bigfoot pontificating decrees, only to ignore his own advice as he becomes disarmed by a child in need of assistance. Gigot's childlike illustrations, rendered in coloured pencils and digital paint, charmingly portray the evolution of an unlikely friendship which contradicts many of Bigfoot's earlier beliefs.  Perhaps campers aren't so bad after all.  

Senta Ross is a former elementary teacher and teacher-librarian in Kitchener, Ontario.

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Book cover of "The Biggest Smallest Thing."

The Biggest Smallest Thing
written by Sara de Waal
illustrated by Ana Stretcu
Annick Press, 2025
978-1-77321-945-5 (hc) $23.99
for Kindergarten to Grade 2

Picture Book | STEAM | Science Fair | Experiments

The Scintillating Science Symposium at Sunnysill Elementary School is fast approaching, and everyone is very excited. A diverse group of students must work towards discovering a solution to this challenge: What is something big you can make with something small? As an aspiring chemist brimming with ideas, Mo firmly believes that he will win the competition. While assessing his fellow classmates, he soon realizes that they each have a particular talent, but none of them, of course, takes science as seriously as he does. After all, Muriel wants to grow up and become a cat. "Mo could see it all—the applause, the trophy, a red carpet leading straight to the Chemistry Hall of Fame. ‘Look out world,’ he said, adjusting his safety glasses. ‘My idea is about to explode.’" Following an unexpected incident on the day of the Symposium, it is Muriel who is declared the champion, causing Mo to realize that there is more than one way to be a scientist.

Sara de Waal has created an engaging story about the goings-on in an active classroom where science, art and altruism converge. A variety of basic experiment how-tos, based on the students' projects, are also provided for children to try at home. From building volcanoes and making meringue to the ripple effect and the science of sound, young readers will be introduced to the wonders of STEAM and be encouraged to be inventive and creative, both inside and outside the classroom.

Enhanced by Ana Stretcu's animated digital illustrations, The Biggest Smallest Thing affectionately portrays children and educators in their quest to enrich the world... one idea at a time.

Senta Ross

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Book cover of "Chidori: A Story of One Thousand Birds."

Chidori: A Story of One Thousand Birds
written by Jennifer Maruno
illustrated by Miki Sato
Pajama Press., 2025
978-1-77278-316-2 (hc) $22.95
for Kindergarten to Grade 3 

Because her school is located high on a hillside, Hana has an excellent view overlooking her village and the ocean from her classroom. What emerges as a beautiful day suddenly becomes a horrific event when a tsunami causes a gigantic wave of dark water to crush whatever lies in its path. "Like a monster in a bad dream, it pushed the fishing boats into a screeching, creaking mountain of wood. It dragged the ocean across the village, tossing cars and trucks like toys."

Reuniting with her father and Obaasan (grandmother) some days later, Hana discovers that her mother has perished. "A wave, darker than the one that had taken their village, washed over Hana's heart." Discovering her mother's paintbrush amid the wreckage, Hana, under her grandmother's guidance, learns how to create images of plovers, just as her mother had loved to do, thus honouring those who died in the tsunami's wake. Employing the Sumi-e technique, where an object or scene is created using the fewest possible brushstrokes, the young girl finds great comfort in painting one thousand plovers throughout the village. They are firm symbols of hope, courage and endurance.

Inspired by the devastating 2011 tsunami that engulfed Japan, Jennifer Maruno's moving narrative brings a tragic event to life through the perspective of a child's attempts to cope with grief. An author's note defines "chidori" as the Japanese term for "one thousand birds." It also refers to the "plover," a bird symbolizing bravery and determination in the face of adversity, very much like Hana.

Miki Sato's stunning illustrations, skilfully created with paper collage, textiles, and watercolour, provide an alluring appearance that seems three-dimensional. So detailed are the settings, whether on land or water, that one can almost feel the variety of textures emanating from the pages.

Senta Ross is a former elementary teacher and teacher-librarian in Kitchener, Ontario.

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Dreaming Alongside
written by Monique Gray Smith
illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt
Orca Book Publishers, 2025
978-1-4598-3861-1 (hc) $21.95
978-1-4598-3863-5 (ebook) $17.99
for Kindergarten to Grade 1

Follow Dragonfly, this gentle story tells us, in our dreams and discover remarkable things. Perhaps an excavator at a construction site will spark our imaginations. Or maybe looking out of a bus window will offer a moment to daydream. There are so many places that can inspire us if we only take a moment to look and dream. The places and things suggested in the story are diverse and random, yet any or all of them could be part of a young child’s life: a bookcase, a dentist’s office, a sewing machine, a playing field, the ocean, a river, or a garden. The randomness captures the kind of eclectic and curious way a child experiences and views the world.

The digitally rendered full-bleed artwork expands on all these moments and offers multifaceted images on the page. The children and grown-ups depicted are as diverse as the locations.

Dreaming Alongside ends with the question: “Where are your favourite places to dream...” This is a thoughtful book that opens up a discussion about where a child likes to be in the present and where they dream of being in the future.

Theo Heras

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The Eidi Bag
written by Shazia Afzal
illustrated by Shiva Delsooz
Owlkids Books, 2025
978-1-77147-542-6 (hc) $22.95
978-1-77147-719-2 (ebook) $12.99
for Kindergarten to Grade 3

The Eidi Bag is a delightful story about merging new and old traditions. Sarah is excited that it is finally Eid, and she is looking forward to getting lots of Eidi, which includes money and sometimes gifts. She dreams of using the money to get candy to share with her best friend, flowers for her mom, and markers so she can draw with her dad. After receiving Eidi from her mom, dad and grandfather, Sarah looks forward to taking her Eidi bag to the mosque where she hopes to receive lots of Eidi from the community. However, when she shows people her Eidi bag at the mosque, they just compliment it. Sarah feels disappointed that Eid in Canada feels different from what it was like in Pakistan, as there, after Eid prayers, her Eidi bag would be full of money.

Sarah is met with a surprise in the evening when her neighbours and community members come to a dinner her family is hosting. Sister Salma brings Sarah’s favourite dessert, Uncle Hamza brings candies, her best friend brings flowers, and her aunt Sana brings a giant set of markers! Sarah is grateful for all of the gifts she receives and learns that things are similar and different in her new home.

This is a great book that can help readers feel a sense of affirmation, confidence and joy in their traditions. There are also opportunities to learn about various celebrations and traditions. The colourful, detailed and endearing illustrations will engage and interest readers. The book’s inspiring message of community, connection, change and merging old and new traditions will be long-lasting. The concept of the Eidi bag is fun and has entry points for connections and conversations for all readers.

Rabia Khokhar is an elementary teacher in Toronto and a PhD student at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). She is passionate about issues of equity and representation in children’s literature.

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The Game
written by Henry Charles (Ten Bears)
illustrated by Shoshannah Greene
Greystone Kids, 2025
978-1-77840-175-6 (hc) $23.95
978-1-77840-176-3 (ebook) $23.95
for Preschool to Grade 3

Picture Book | Modern Fables | Indigenous Storytelling | Hockey | Musqueam Nation

Brown Bear boasts that he can win against Killer Whale in any challenge. Powerful MǝŃǝ offers the animals a solution, namely playing against each other in a game that MǝŃǝ creates—hockey. Bear and Whale break off bent branches from a maple tree to use as sticks and find fishing nets to use as goals, while MǝŃǝ pulls down a small star to use as a puck. Eagle and Hawk join the game as goalies, and hundreds of Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh peoples arrive to watch. The game goes on all day until nightfall approaches—then Killer Whale shoots, scores, and wins the match! But he refuses the trophy, preferring to return to the water instead. MǝŃǝ then chooses to give the trophy to the Musqueam people so that they may remember this special game.

Charles was an oral storyteller, an Indigenous historian, and an Elder of the Musqueam First Nation. He wrote this story, now published posthumously, to share with children a sense of the determination and passion players have when playing hockey. His text here is spare, filled with lyricism and grace, with some character and place names in the Musqueam language. Greene’s watercolour illustrations are beautiful and expressive, imbued with life and rich in detail, and reveal her deep love and respect for nature. Bear’s boasting attitude and Whale’s pragmatic one will engage readers and draw them in. Despite their differences, though, they value their friendship over and above who actually wins the game. And so, in the end, they can simply thank “each other for a very exciting game.”

Ken Kilback

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Book cover of "laget hiyt toxwum / Herring to Huckleberries."

laget hiyt toxwum / Herring to Huckleberries
written by ošil Betty Wilson
illustrated by Prashant Miranda
HighWater Press, 2025
978-1-77492-118-0 (hc) $24.95
978-1-77492-119-7 (ebook) $20.00
for Grades 1 to 3

The story is told in ʔayʔajuθəm (the language of the Tla’amin Nation) and then translated into English, with key words left in ʔayʔajuθəm [for example, kʷʊkʷpa (grandpa) and čičyɛ (granny), which are introduced and translated for the reader first].

It is springtime when we are introduced to ošil and her grandparents as they catch and feast on herring and herring roe. As the summer approaches and the days get warmer, they truly live on the land. They begin to harvest the berries, which are plentiful at that time of year. They also harvest clams and sea urchins, and kʷʊkʷpa hunts for deer, all in preparation for the winter. As the days start to get colder, they catch and smoke salmon. In the winter, they tell stories and feast on the good foods that they harvested earlier in the year.

The backmatter of the book includes a list of Tla’amin traditional foods, a lovely note from the author with background information on her life and childhood, as well as the significance of writing the book in her language, a glossary of key terms, and pronunciation tips.

This story is a wonderful immersion into the culture and of traditional seasonal activities. The reader feels the sunshine and can smell the fish and the wood smoke. Miranda’s illustrations are bright and colourful, really demonstrating each activity described and the family and community working together.

Colette Poitras

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I Am Métis
written by Karen Hourie Ellefson
illustrated by Leah Dorion
Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2024
978-1-55455-621-2 (hc) $23.95
978-1-55455-688-5 (ebook) $14.99
for Preschool to Grade 3

Picture Book | Identity | Culture | Indigenous | Métis

A young girl is outside when she hears a voice whispering in the wind, “Who are you?”

She has brown hair and blue eyes, and she is confident in who she is. The voice tells her that she is Métis. Unfamiliar with the term, she watches her father. She notices that he is different from her friends’ fathers. She overhears her classmates disdainfully calling her cousin an “Indian,” which she finds perplexing. She thinks about her dad—the fiddling and jigging, the hunting, fishing, feasting, storytelling, and the quality time they spend on the land. She reflects again and, with a deeper understanding, realizes who she is. She is Métis, and she knows in her soul that she belongs.

This is a lovely and colourful title that helps Métis children feel included and represented in the world. For those not familiar with the culture and history of the Métis people, it offers a wonderful introduction and a great way to initiate a conversation with little ones. Leah Dorion’s illustrations do not disappoint—bright, cheerful, and expressive, they help convey the story brilliantly.

Colette Poitras

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I Lost a Day
written and illustrated by Briana Corr Scott
Nimbus Publishing, 2025
978-1-77471-363-1 (pb) $14.95 
978-1-77471-368-6 (ebook) $8.99
for Grades 1 and up 

I lose track of the hours/ And sometimes the days/ When anger takes over/ When sadness just stays... 

Anger, depression, anxiety. Through poetic verse, we encounter young people of varying ages and backgrounds experiencing a range of negative emotions, often losing a day while burdened by festering feelings. Highlighting a difficult subject and having it resonate with children, Briana Corr Scott believes that encouraging outcomes may result from taking mental breaks that focus on mindful activities, such as reading a book, creating stories and artwork, playing music, surrounding oneself with nature, being physically active, or simply sitting quietly and listening. The accompanying richly hued, mixed-media illustrations portray the pursuits of children, as their inner thoughts transform from darkness into light.  

In her author's note, Scott, who herself suffers from depression, writes, "Depression, like all forms of mental illness, is different for everyone. So that means we all have different ways of coping and different solutions that will help us get through it... I know the solace that a creative act, a deep breath, and a loving touch from Mother Nature can give." A variety of accessible mindfulness activities for children are suggested, with the hope that they will find themselves in a more favourable state of being.  

Yarn that is tangled/ Can always be wound.../ In the days that I lost/ It was me that I found./ I found me.

Senta Ross

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Book cover of "Keep Your Ears Wide Open."

Keep Your Ears Wide Open
written by Céline Claire
illustrated by Marie Lafrance
narrated by Thomas Hellman
The Secret Mountain, 2025
978-2-89836-098-5 (hc) $19.95
for Kindergarten to Grade 4

Picture Books | Visual Disabilities | Aural Cues | Homecomings | Family

Russell is awaiting the homecoming of his older brother, Angus, after a long journey. As he patiently prepares their home, Russell responds to aural cues that may signal his brother's arrival. Could Angus be on the train he can hear pulling into the station? In the car sputtering down the road? With the sound of each new potential conveyance, Russell rushes out and meets various travellers in need of a helping hand. Eventually, when he hears a very personal signal that can only mean Angus has arrived, all Russell's new friends repay his favours by helping Angus make his way home safely.

Céline Claire's charming book about the importance of helping those in need employs an innovative method of using aural cues to transition from one plot point to the next. This style of storytelling stresses the importance of awareness and may be a sympathetic narrative for readers with visual disabilities. Marie Lafrance's beautiful coloured pencil illustrations utilize a simple style that belies remarkable depth and detail, evocative of the distinctive landscape and architecture of Atlantic Canada. The vivid images illustrate each aural cue in a way that allows young readers to easily make connections between sounds and the objects that make them.

In a nod to accessibility, the publishers have included an audio version, accessed through a QR code printed in the final pages of the physical book. Thomas Hellman's sensitive narration, well-suited to Claire's prose style, along with audio renditions of each aural cue and soft acoustic guitar transitions, create an almost meditative effect. A reader with visual disabilities will appreciate the sonic representations of each plot point in lieu of Lafrance's illustrations, but the publishers opted not to include described visuals. While this choice creates a very fluid and beautiful final product, certain important visual cues that are absent from the text are overlooked in the audio version, detracting from the overall accessibility of the volume. That said, the audio version appears to be intended for general audiences rather than being a truly accessible edition. Overall, this combination audio/picture book is a truly beautiful piece and a worthwhile addition to a growing repertoire of excellent Canadian children's picture books.

Michael Nyby

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Book cover of "The One and Only Question."

The One and Only Question 
written by Norma Charles and Andrea Charles 
illustrated by Ken Daley 
Groundwood Books, 2025 
978-1-77306-965-4 (hc) $21.95 
978-1-77306-966-1 (ebook) $16.99

Picture Book | Racism | Bullying | Kindness

It’s Zeke’s first day at a new school, and an important question is occupying his thoughts. “What will he do when they call him the N-word? Like they did at his old school.” Nothing about getting ready is going right—his favourite shirt is stained and he can’t find his brush. He knows it’s going to be the worst day ever. Zeke is anxious getting onto the bus and when kids talk to him at lunch. Will one of them call him the N-word? Zeke’s day goes better than he expected, and he looks forward to an even better second day of school.

The One and Only Question stands out because of Ken Daley’s vibrant illustrations and its unique tall and narrow trim. Daley’s paintings clearly convey Zeke’s range of emotions and capture a multicultural cast with a variety of skin tones, hair textures and clothing. Classroom décor features signs against bullying and racism, as well as a Pride flag, all of which contribute to the welcoming school culture. Veteran author Norma Charles is joined by her daughter Andrea to tell this story inspired by her grandson’s experiences at school. The book begins with short phrases and repetition, which mirror Zeke’s anxiety.

As the story continues, the text supports discussions about how the body feels when anxious and when calming down. Notes for students, teachers and caregivers about addressing bullying and racism follow the story. As an educator, I wish that the N-word wasn’t an issue in schools, but we have not gotten there yet. This is an important new resource for supporting students both in knowing that they can do something and in understanding the impact of this word.

Tara Truscott is a teacher-librarian with the York Region District School Board who also reviews books on Instagram @trusreads.

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Our Ancestors’ Kitchen 
written by Willie Poll 
illustrated by Shaikara David 
Annick Press, 2025 
978-1-77321-962-2 (hc) $23.99 
for Preschool to Grade 2

Picture Book | Cooking | Food | Indigenous | Multigenerational

As a young Indigenous girl works side by side with her grandma in the kitchen, preparing a favourite family recipe, she learns about the enduring connection she has to her ancestors. Each ingredient holds a different memory and a story: “There is magic in our cooking. There is culture in our food.” The smell of minoomin conjures an image of her bygone relations paddling a canoe on a lake and harvesting wild rice. The sound of meat sizzling in the pan takes the child back to the fall when she went moose hunting with her grandpa. The taste of summer-fresh blueberries transports her to a mountain where the matriarchs of her family once gathered baskets full of berries.

Gratitude and respect for plants, animals and the land is shown through the seasons. Indigenous words are woven seamlessly into the simply stated text and speak to the sanctity of language and the importance of reclamation.

Akwesáhsne Mohawk Territory artist Shaikara David’s vibrant, animated illustrations radiate the warmth of generational bonds. The spirits of ancestors and animals are ever-present in the detailed scenes.

Willie Poll, Métis author and activist from the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory, eloquently explores how food nourishes the body, mind and spirit and sustains community. An end note includes information about traditional food-harvesting practices, food sovereignty, and a recipe for “Nuwish: Soapberry Ice Cream.” Our Ancestors’ Kitchen shares land-based Indigenous knowledge and generously offers much food for thought.

Linda Ludke is a librarian in London, Ontario.

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Raven's Ribbons
written by Tasha Spillett
illustrated by Daniel Ramirez
Owlkids Books, 2025
978-1-77147-566-2 (hc) $ 22.95
978-1-77147-746-8 (ebook) $12.99
for Preschool to Grade 2

Picture Book |Indigenous Customs & Traditions | Round Dance| Self-Expression| 2SLGBTQIA+

As soon as the drum sounds, Raven and Grandma immediately start dancing, moving along with others in a circle. Raven loves round dances, especially watching the swaying of women’s ribbon skirts, and he imagines himself “swirling in a rainbow.” Nohkum makes ribbon skirts for women from all over, ensuring they are always the most colourful and as unique as each person is. When Raven asks whether boys can ever wear a ribbon skirt, Grandma admits she’s never seen a boy wear one. While Raven sleeps that night, Grandma stays up late, working. In the morning, Nohkum gifts Raven with his own ribbon skirt. At the next round dance, Raven and Grandma are the first to start dancing, swirling their skirts as Raven leads the way.

Spillett’s text is very spare, naturally rhythmic and perfect in word choice and phrasing. Ramirez’s acrylic paintings are gorgeous, each one a full spread that breathes life and colour, drawing the reader in. Raven and Grandma are engaging characters; their deep love and respect for one another are evident, not just in what they say, but also in what they do. Even though he knows Nohkum makes these skirts, Raven never asks her to make him one, nor does he ever seem to expect her to do so, thereby allowing his excitement to feel truly palpable. In that moment, Nohkum’s words to him are another gift, that she is lucky to be able to “see beautiful things that I’ve never seen before.”

Ken Kilback is a writer and primary teacher in Vancouver.

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Book cover of "Sometimes I Eat with My Hands."

Sometimes I Eat with My Hands 
written and illustrated by Kid Haile 
Groundwood Books, 2025 
978-1-77306-924-1 (hc) $19.99 
978-1-77306-925-8 (ebook) $16.99 
for Preschool to Grade 1  

Picture Book | Food | Culture | Identity

Feven is a little girl who relishes all types of food. The child narrator proudly announces, “My parents used to help me eat, but now I can eat all by myself.” Demonstrating her dexterity, she shows how she can use a spoon to scoop cereal with an accomplished “swoop!” The enthusiastic young eater is adept at handling utensils but also delights in the delicious tactile experience of touching her food: “sometimes I eat with my hands.” When Nana visits for dinner and brings injera, an Ethiopian and Eritrean flatbread, the whole family gathers together to enjoy a meal, and everyone eats with their hands.  

Playful details abound in the sumptuous pencil and watercolour illustrations. A broccoli floret sprouts limbs and runs for its life from an approaching fork. Wearing an aviator hat, Feven propels a spoonful of food towards her mouth and makes a successful landing as airplanes soar in the background. On the facing page, her baby brother, who hasn’t yet mastered such fine motor skills, wears a bowl of spaghetti on his head and clutches the tines of a fork in a tight-fisted grip, while a plane takes a nosedive.  

In an author’s endnote, Kid Haile explains the cultural traditions of eating with one’s hands and reflects on his own food experiences growing up. Celebrating the pleasures of learning to eat in all of its messy, joyful, sensory-filled glory, this is a lovingly rendered picture book to share and savour.  

Linda Ludke

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A Summer without Anna
written by Kate Jenks Landry
illustrated by Risa Hugo
Kids Can Press, 2025
978-1-5253-1025-6 (hc) $23.99 
978-1-5253-1365-3 (ebook) $13.99
for Grades 1 to 3

Junie and her older sister, Anna, have always spent their summers together in the country at their grandparents'—until this year. Sadly, Anna is in the hospital. As Mum and Dad leave Junie in the care of Nan and Pop, they promise to bring her back home as soon as Anna's health improves. So that she might feel less alone, Anna has loaned Junie her camera, accompanied by a note that reads "In case you find Edmund."

Junie spends her days swimming, fishing with Pop and searching for Edmund, the evasive giant turtle. While taking numerous photographs, a feeling of uncertainty grows within her. "Mum and Dad call every evening to say they love me, then pass the phone to Anna... One night she's too tired to come to the phone at all." What if Anna doesn't get better and Junie never sees her again?

Told from the perspective of a young child, Kate Jenks Landry has written a poignant family story revealing the closeness between two siblings and the wide-ranging emotions resulting from their atypical separation due to illness. Anxiety, concern and homesickness engulf Junie all summer long as she awaits some hope-filled news about her sister's health. Thankfully, this emerges, strangely coincident with her sighting of the elusive Edmund.

Risa Hugo's subdued illustrations, rendered in gouache, coloured pencil and soft pastel and edited digitally, portray an almost idyllic setting interspersed with Junie's photographs, acting as silent witnesses to a summer filled with worry, vulnerability and, ultimately, joyous relief.

Senta Ross

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Middle Grade

Barnacle Bay
(Little Habitats, Book 1)
written and illustrated by Jana Curll
Greystone Kids, 2025
978-1-7784-0102-2 (hc) $18.95
978-1-7784-0279-1 (pb) $13.95
978-1-7784-0103-9 (ebook) $15.99
for Grades 1 to 4

Graphic Novel | Animal Friends | Underwater Ecosystems | Humour | Environment

Barnacle Bay is a zany six-chapter graphic novel that explores a bay’s ecosystem, introducing young readers to the cast of marine creatures and plant life who call it home. Among them is Crab, an under-appreciated crustacean in search of a new place to live. His friend, Larva, agrees to show him around, exploring the many features that make the bay unique.

Together, Crab and Larva embark on a journey through six playfully named chapters, each with punny titles like “What’s All the Comm-Ocean,” “Best Fronds,” and “Friends ‘N’ Anemones.” They meet many underwater friends, including sea kelp, oysters, mussels, and anemones—and are greeted with even more puns. Young readers will enjoy the book’s inventive use of language, which includes words and phrases like “shellphones,” “tentacle difficulties,” and “put some mussel into it!” It also features a number of colourful, comedic interludes like “Gulls Just Wanna Have Fun,” which features a shapeshifting seagull in a number of silly situations.

However, Barnacle Bay isn’t all pun and games. The book’s writer and illustrator, Jana Curll, who is based on the West Coast, beautifully brings together fact and fiction, including an infographic in each chapter that provides readers with additional information about Crab’s many neighbours in the bay. For example, “Let’s Talk Sea Kelp” shares science-based information that was reviewed by experts to talk about threats to kelp forests, including the impact of pollution, climate change, and commercial harvesting. Another, “Crabsolutely Clawsome!” introduces readers to the purple shore crab, one of more than 5,000 crab species.

Designed for kids between the ages of 6 to 9, Barnacle Bay is the first book in Greystone’s new Little Habitats series. Each book in the series will feature a story set in a different habitat, introducing children to nature’s vital ecosystems. Next up? Barnacle Bay includes a preview of Fern Forest, which will explore plants, animals, and fungi that inhabit the forest floor.

Jessica Rose is a writer, reviewer and editor in Hamilton, Ontario.

* * *

Benny on the Case 
written by Wesley King 
Simon & Schuster Canada, 2025 
978-1-6680-8165-5 (hc) $23.99 
978-1-6680-8166-2 (ebook) $11.99 
for Grades 5-8

Fiction | Bullying | Mystery | Family | Friendship

Benny is excited—and scared—to return to mainstream classes, largely because of his mosaic Down syndrome. Though he fears bullying, he has his best friend, 80-year-old Mr. Tom, to support him, as well as the other residents of the retirement home Benny and his mom run and reside in. When the new student, Salma, arrives, her Arabic background distinguishes her from other students, making her another target for the bullies. Salma’s confidence and kindness result in a strong friendship with Benny. However, soon, the two find themselves not only navigating bullying but also trying to save Benny’s retirement home as they unravel a conspiracy that threatens to leave many seniors homeless.

Benny on the Case is a beautiful story of friendship, forgiveness, and family. This exciting mystery is peppered with humour and will keep readers rooting for Benny as his confidence grows. Wesley King effectively captures the voice of this loveable and witty protagonist, whose compassion and insight make for an engaging read. Coupled with charming characters, the novel is set in the unique cultural landscape of Newfoundland. The story incorporates phrases and terms particular to the island, creating a colourful backdrop to the novel.

Examining the ideas of what constitutes friendship and family, Benny on the Case will take readers through a journey of loss, growth, and healing. An excellent resource for exploring issues of ableism, ageism, racism, and bullying, this novel offers readers an empathetic perspective on belonging and what community truly means.

Mellissa Connolly is an English teacher specializing in alternative education.

* * *

The City of Lost Cats
written by Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Tundra Books, 2025
978-1-77488-210-8 (hc) $24.99
978-1-77488-211-5 (ebook) $11.99
978-1-77488-822-3 (audiobook) $24.99
for Grades 5 and up

Fiction | Stray Cats | Acceptance | Forgiveness

Fiona is struggling to find herself after her life was turned upside down, and she is still trying to come to terms with it. After another fight with her Aunt Tanis, Fiona storms out of their apartment, determined to run away. This is how she comes across The City.

The City is an abandoned home, slated for demolition, which is home to a number of stray cats and two lost parakeets. The residents of The City are lost, abandoned, and stray animals that came to the old house for shelter, safety, and community. Fiona’s arrival threatens the balance of The City, but it also reveals the strength of forgiveness and friendship. In what started as an elaborate scheme to run away, Fiona finds a purpose and her voice.

The City of Lost Cats is about change, acceptance, and forgiveness. Fiona lost her parents two years ago, which completely changed the lives of Fiona and her “free-spirited” Aunt Tanis. The residents of The City found themselves on the street for a variety of reasons, but many developed a mistrust of humans. Told from different points of view, The City of Lost Cats demonstrates how different perspectives can significantly alter how situations are understood, highlighting the need for change and understanding as the only way to move forward.

This book is good for readers as they begin to understand how others may react to external actions and how their own actions may impact someone else. The City of Lost Cats demonstrates that positive change can only occur when people take the time to understand one another and work together. But will they learn this lesson in time to save The City?

Meagan Richards started her library career in public libraries and quickly developed a soft spot for junior and YA literature through collection development and programming. She continues to read YA titles regularly in her spare time.

* * *

Book cover of "Every Little Bit Olive Tran."

Every Little Bit Olive Tran
(Olive Tan, Book 1)
written by Phuong Truong
illustrated by Christine Wei
Second Story Press, 2025
978-1-77260-413-9 (pb) $10.95
978-1-77260-414-6 (ebook) $7.99
for Grades 1 to 4

As Olive Tran’s 10th birthday approaches, she is excited to be turning one year older. Being 10 years old means she can walk to school on her own and visit the candy shop unsupervised. Turning 10 also means growing up enough to realize that the world is not as kind or as safe a place as she had previously imagined. The elderly Mrs. Ly was recently pushed to the ground while attending the Asian market, and some school kids have had buckets of goo thrown at them. To top it all off, Olive’s best friend says he can’t come to her birthday and gives a very disconcerting reason.

Phuong Truong writes in a spare and perceptive manner that young readers will find both accessible and entertaining. Gorgeous black-and-white illustrations by Christine Wei add depth to the story, bringing the drama to life in creative ways.

This is, in effect, a coming-of-age story. While Olive’s family has sheltered her as a child, her 10-year-old mind is beginning to apprehend that the world is not what it seemed and that people can be angry, unreasonable, and vindictive. Truong treats the topic of racism with insight and sensitivity.

Readers who have experienced racism will recognize themselves in Olive, and those who have not will find themselves empathizing with her situation. What’s a 10-year-old little Vietnamese girl to do? Well, as it turns out, every little bit counts, and both Olive and her mother find a way to navigate Olive’s birthday by reaching out to others and making connections.

Ildiko Sumegi is a reviewer from Ottawa who blogs about inspirational children's books at beyondtheglassmountains.com.

* * *

The Factory
written by Catherine Egan
Scholastic Inc., 2025
978-1-3390-3421-8 (pb) $11.99
978-1-5461-0987-7 (ebook) $9.99
for Grades 4 to 6

Thirteen-year-old Asher Doyle, bullied at school and struggling at home, gets a chance to escape when he's invited to join the Factory, a secret research facility that is supposedly developing renewable energy. However, many of the other kids seem strange and drained of life, and something feels off. Asher soon realizes the Factory isn’t working on renewable energy at all. The true mission is much darker, and Asher has a personal connection to it. As conditions at the factory worsen, he must team up with his newfound friends to uncover the truth behind the experiment before it’s too late.

At the start of a new middle-grade dystopian series, Catherine Egan has created a thoughtful and exciting story that kids will devour. For Asher and the other recruits, the Factory appears to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Their families will receive a large sum of money at the end, and the advance alone is enough to pay off his mother Lizzie’s debts.

What he sees when he gets there, however, is far from what he was led to believe. Instead of being a fun place to hang out, the Factory is like a prison, with cameras and guards everywhere. And the kids aren’t leading the experiments—they are being experimented on, with sometimes disastrous results.

The story is fast-paced and engaging, and Egan does an excellent job of capturing the unsettling atmosphere of the Factory. Neither the kids nor the adults are exactly what they seem, and each has a well-developed and interesting backstory. While the exact purpose of the experiments is only hinted at until the final chapters, readers are rewarded with a shocking twist and a cliffhanger ending that will have them eagerly awaiting the second book. Highly recommended.

Rachel Seigel has worked in the children’s book world for 25 years and has a passion for children’s and YA books. She is currently the Sales Administrator at Page Two Books.

* * *

Book cover of "The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay."

The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay 
written by Mary Averling
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2025
978-0-593-62493-7 (hc) $24.50
978-0-593-62494-4 (ebook) $11.99
979-8-2170-1737-9 (audiobook) $27.00
for Grades 5 and up

Caught up in a fresh game of haunting the new people at Mayflower Cottage, Maudie chooses Gianna, another tween girl like herself. Frightening this family out of the cottage proves more challenging than Maudie, her brother Scratch, and their friend Kit anticipated though. First of all, the father, Arthur, is preoccupied with finishing his book, and the older sister, Juno, is constantly on her devices. Secondly, Maudie discovers Gianna is not your average girl—thanks to a storybook featuring witchcraft Gianna and Juno co-wrote. Therefore, when Kit and Scratch are kidnapped by her literal worst nightmare, Maudie’s only choice is to contact Gianna in the hopes they can solve this problem together.

With the eerily beautiful descriptions of wingstorms, the creepy character of Longfingers with a paper-cut slash for a mouth and Pollywog, the farting dog, Mary Averling’s tale is full of delightful details to capture a reader's imagination.

On the surface, The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay appears to be a straightforward ghost story; however, as the book unfolds, it reveals a complex plot. Full of mystery and the paranormal, it also explores how far one might go to avoid facing the scariest thing in their life.

Maudie and Gianna’s journeys are different in their particulars but also the same. Together, they must learn to accept the changes in their lives, even when those changes are scary and unknown. The friendship that develops between them is endearing as it gives them both the strength to face an uncertain future and a painful past.

A powerful page-turner that feeds the imagination and the soul, The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay reminds readers they can also have courage in the face of fear. Change is inevitable, but it can also pave the way for the miraculous and various kinds of joy. Highly recommended.

Amy Mathers is the founder of the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award.

* * *

Book cover of "Katie Crumble and the Case of the Missing Underwear."

Katie Crumble and the Case of the Missing Underwear
(Katie Crumble, Book 1)
written by Oksanna Crawley
illustrations by Lydia Ramsey
Plumleaf Press, 2025
978-1-73816-528-5 (pb) $12.95
for Grades 1 to 4

Early Chapter Book | Fiction | Mystery | School

Katie Crumble is an inquisitive and energetic fourth-grader with a passion for solving mysteries and a knack for ending up in the principal’s office. When she discovers that her little cousin’s favourite ‘Pickles the Destroyer’ underwear have gone missing, she can’t help trying to find the culprit. As the mystery unfolds and Katie gets into more mischief, she discovers that other items are disappearing from the kindergarten classroom, too. Katie, along with her newfound friend Luca and her canine sidekick Aggie McDoogall, finds a few clues, some unusual suspects, and lots of adventures as they try to solve this puzzling predicament.

With the perfect blend of mystery and humour, author Oksanna Crawley has created a wonderful new series sure to entertain young readers who enjoy silly school adventures and whodunnits. While Katie struggles with friendships and bullies throughout the book, readers will also be reassured by some positive role models, as well as scenarios with constructive solutions and optimistic outcomes. The secondary characters are lots of fun, with the scary, motorcycle-driving Principal Mendoza (AKA Principal Meanie) being my personal favourite. Sprinkled with delightful illustrations by Lydia Ramsey that bring these characters to life, this relatable and thoroughly entertaining story will keep young readers turning the pages until the very end.

Danny Neville is an educator, children’s author, and editor-in-chief of The Teaching Librarian magazine.

* * *

Messy Perfect
written by Tanya Boteju
Quill Tree Books, 2025
978-0-06-335849-2 (hc) $24.99
978-0-06-335851-5 (ebook) $10.99
978-0-06-335853-9 (audiobooks) $35.99
for Grades 7 and up

Former best friend Ben’s return to Catholic school turns Cassie's world upside down. Heartbroken over her previous betrayal of their friendship, Cassie uses a chance encounter to make connections with another school’s Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA). Together, they come up with having an underground GSA involving both schools, something Cassie creates with Ben in mind. However, the workload of school, extracurricular activities, church, and the new GSA mounts up, leaving Cassie feeling pressure from all sides. Not to mention that her inner voice is growing louder, trying to get her to face a truth she’s been pushing down for years.

To read a novel by Tanya Boteju is to feel powerful emotions and examine the deep and sometimes uncomfortable questions of life. The topic of the Catholic Church’s stance on 2SLGBTQIA+ acceptance is a complicated one that Boteju handles judiciously with a measure of grace.

Cassie’s viewpoint of Catholicism comes from her faith and sense of community. When challenged on the topic by her new friends, Cassie begins to wonder how, in a place that spouts the importance of community and love, some can still be excluded.

The creation of the underground GSA is a genius idea that brings Halle, Sam, Nai, and a host of other fun and colourful characters into Cassie's life. Though she tells herself it's for Ben’s sake, Cassie ends up finding a different sense of community and safety she never knew she always needed.

Watching Cassie's life change from rigid control to her learning to accept herself as a real, fallible person is as heart-wrenching as it is humorous and as compelling as it is relatable. This book deserves a prominent rainbow sticker on its spine to be enjoyed by all the messy, perfect readers who need a safe space in their lives.

Amy Mathers

* * *

Oasis
written and illustrated by Guojing
Godwin Books, 2025
978-1-250-81837-9 (hc) $28.99
978-1-250-81838-6 (pb) $19.99
978-1-250-41579-0 (ebook) $11.99
for Grades 3 to 7

JieJie and her little brother, DiDi, spend each day searching for water in the desert wasteland where they live. Braving sandstorms in their grey and desolate environment, they dream of being with their mom again as she works in Oasis City. For now, they call her from a lone pay phone and look forward to being reunited. When the siblings find a broken robot in a junkyard, they bring it home and are able to fix it. The robot becomes a mother figure for them and is able to bring some colour, literal and figurative, into their lives. When the children’s real mom meets their AI mom, family bonds are put to the test.

Stunning and captivating, this beautifully drawn story isn’t like anything else. With a dark colour palette, colour is used sparingly and in meaningful ways. The story is dedicated to the “left behind children”: children who are left behind in rural areas while their parents leave to find work in the city. Readers of The Wild Robot and lovers of the movie will find similar themes and elements in Oasis, such as family and technology.

Thought-provoking and poignant, Oasis is haunting while also ultimately being an uplifting story of hope.

Em Hunter works in marketing at Kids Can Press. They live in Toronto with their very fluffy cat.

* * *

Book cover of "Rhapsody Smith, Ice Angel."

Rhapsody Smith, Ice Angel
(Rhapsody Smith, Book 1)
written by Lorna Schultz Nicholson 
Yellow Dog, 2025 
978-1-77337-130-6 (pb) $18.95
for Grades 3 to 7

Fiction | Hockey | Mystery | Teamwork | Friendship

Rhapsody “Rap” Smith lives with her grandparents when she’s not at a hockey rink or with her teammates, the Ice Angels, and best friend Alex. Before one of her games, Rap meets Marion, a friend of her grandmother’s, who can’t remember who she is, but knows about hockey.

Marion shows Rap a very unique ring, which Rap recognizes as a championship ring, and she immediately wants to know more. However, Rap is not the only person who notices Marion’s ring. After Marion is found hurt and her “diamonds” missing, Rap takes it upon herself not only to find out what happened to Marion and return her ring but also to discover who Marion is.

Rhapsody Smith, Ice Angel is about a young woman who wants to make a difference and learns that being impulsive isn’t always the way to go. Rap also learns that not everyone should be judged by how they look.

This book highlights the importance of teamwork and trust, and that people aren’t always who they first appear to be.

Meagan Richards

* * *

Spirit Service
written by Sarena Nanua and Sasha Nanua
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025
978-1-66595-517-1 (hc) $23.99
978-1-66595-519-5 (ebook) $11.99
978-1-66813-181-7 (audiobook) $33.99
for Grades 4 to 6

When Raveena and her friends discover they can access the spirit world through a pink retro phone found at the antique store, they decide to use this new ability to help members of their community contact the ghosts of their deceased loved ones while at the same time raising money for their school. While this sounds like a straightforward plan, the strange phone has a complicated history connected not only to the founders of the town but also to Raveena’s recently deceased grandmother. To complicate matters, not all spirits are interested in crossing over to the other side—some of them are deceptive and creepy... and have the power to possess the living!

Readers who enjoy paranormal tales will be delighted to sink their teeth into this spooky novel featuring a diverse cast of clever and sometimes humorous characters. Sasha and Sarena Nanua walk a fine line between entertaining their readers and adding depth to a tale of funky phones, mediums, and ghosts. It is Raveena’s overwhelming and very human desire to see her grandmother again which leads her astray. Cue a great deal of recognizable middle-school drama involving Raveena, her mother, her three besties... and one cute boy named Mateo. Of course, this all needs to be resolved if the friends are to outwit an unruly and dangerous spirit connected to a traumatic past. Themes of friendship, love, forgiveness, and remembrance propel this story forward on a meaningful tide.

Ildiko Sumegi

* * *

Summer of Rocks
written by Jenna Greene
Heritage House Publishing, 2025
978-1-77203-525-4 (pb) $12.95
978-1-77203-526-1 (ebook) $7.99
for Grades 3 to 6

Historical Fiction | Family | Adventure | Wilderness | Geology

When your father is a rock-loving geologist, do you get to go to Disneyland for your summer vacation? Not even close. In Summer of Rocks, three sisters join their parents on a 1990s wilderness road trip to northern British Columbia and the Yukon to look at rocks. They get to visit rock quarries, camp next to an abandoned mine, and argue over which music to play during the long drive. But there’s also a natural hot spring, a helicopter ride, and a re-created gold rush town to discover and explore. So maybe, just maybe, this atypical family holiday might be better than Disneyland.

This middle-grade novel is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of Amy (age 11), Beth (age 9), and Marion (age 6) as they squabble in the backseat, face their own scary adventures, and grow and change during the journey. Inspired by Jenna Greene’s own childhood vacations, it delves into family dynamics and the joys—and terrors—of the wilderness. Are rocks really that boring? Is hiking really that gruelling? Are sisters really that annoying? Summer of Rocks examines what matters—and what doesn’t—when it comes to summer holidays.

Told with humour and compassion, this unique family road-trip story will appeal to readers of adventure and nature stories.

Karen Krossing is an author for kids and teens.

* * *

Under Attack 
(Kidnapped from Ukraine, Book 1) 
written by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch 
Scholastic Press, 2025 
978-1-5461-0453-7 (hc) $35.99 
978-1-5461-0451-3 (pb) $9.99 
978-1-5461-0452-0 (ebook) $8.99 
for Grades 4 to 7

Under Attack, written by award-winning Ukrainian-Canadian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, is a harrowing, eye-opening and unflinching story that examines what happens when one family is torn apart by the atrocities of genocide and modern war.

Thursday, February 24, 2022, in Mariupol, Ukraine, started out like pretty much every other day for 12-year-old twin sisters Dariia and Rada Popkova and their parents. But in the early hours of that day, beds began to shake in the 1960s mass-produced apartment building where the Popkovas live. And so Dariia and her mother decide to get some supplies and food from the convenience store on the main floor of their apartment building, while Rada and the twins’ dad shelter in place. And then the unimaginable happens: Russia attacks Ukraine, martial law is declared, and even more bombs fall from the sky all over Mariupol, including on the building where the Popkovas live.

The family becomes separated in the chaos of the deadly attack, with Dariia being sent to Romashka Children’s Camp in Russia, run by the Russian Federation, where she is cleaned up and then adopted by a single Russian mother, all in order to be protected from the “Ukrainian Nazis.”

Dariia loses touch with her family but learns that her mother and Rada are sheltering in the Carpathian Mountains at a ski resort that’s been turned into a refugee centre and that her father is in a Russian prisoner of war camp. Finally, after nearly a year of separation, Dariia is reunited with Rada and their mom through the work of a brave journalist acting as power of attorney to get Rada and the kidnapped Dariia out of Russia and back to their homeland. Next on the twins’ agenda: getting their dad out of Russia and the Russian Federation out of Ukraine.

This heart-wrenching account of survival, love, resilience and hope in unconscionable circumstances gives young readers historical context to the current war on Ukraine and sheds much light on the innocent civilian experience. Written from Dariia’s point of view, the narrative is visceral, believable and affecting as she describes scenes of murder, loss, racism and destruction. Readers are given front-row seats to her actions, feelings, thoughts and encounters; there is no sugar-coating here of the vagaries and trauma of war.

Despite its hefty 309 pages, this powerful tale of innocence lost moves along at an exemplary pace, engaging readers at every turn. Complete with two black-and-white maps, an author’s note and Q&A, Under Attack is an invaluable must-read and a must-have educational resource for public, school and home libraries everywhere.   Lingering long after the last compelling page is turned, this timely book is inarguably a stirring catalyst for in-depth discussion, empowering readers to engage in further research and get involved in helping to rescue the thousands of Ukrainian children who’ve been kidnapped. Very highly recommended.

Jennifer D. Foster is a Toronto-based freelance editor, writer and mentor, and her company is Planet Word. She’s an annual reviewer for the Whistler Independent Book Awards and has been a judge for the Fred Kerner Book Award twice.

* * *

YA/Teen

The Vanished Ones
written by Chad Lucas
Amulet Books, 2025
978-1-4197-6684-8 (hc) $22.99 
978-1-6470-0942-7 (ebook) $18.99
979-8-89274-800-1 (audiobook) $27.99 for Grades 5 to 9

On Rhodenroode Island, a remote colony of the Homeland, Darian is the only trainee of his race at the Mission on the Hill. He doesn't remember his past or how he came to the Mission, but he's determined to fulfill his duty to spread the Sacred Word. When a fellow trainee vanishes, Darian and his friend Micah investigate the disappearance, uncovering a hidden rebel sect. As they delve deeper into the island's secrets, it becomes a race to find a way to save the boys from a danger that’s greater than they ever imagined.

In his new middle-grade novel, Lucas draws on the history of religious colonization to craft an exciting boy’s adventure story. Thirteen-year-old Darian knows he is different. As the only brown-skinned boy on the island, he is eager to learn his history and where his people came from. His only friend at the mission is Micah, also an orphan, who only speaks in sign, and the two boys cling to each other like brothers. When more boys start disappearing from the Mission, and Darian and Micah are separated due to “Intimate Fraternization,” the boys realize that something dangerous is happening on the island and decide to run away and seek the answers that the Apostle and the Brothers refuse to give them.

While the novel is slow to develop at first, once the boys run away, the pace picks up, and the story becomes much more exciting. Readers may also notice a subtle shift in tone when the boys discover the Eastern Colony, changing from grey hopelessness to bright joy.
Recommended for upper middle-grade readers.

Rachel Seigel

* * *

The Afterdark
written by E. LatimerTundra Books
978-1-77488-224-5 (hc) $26.99
978-1-77488-225-2 (ebook) $11.99
978-1-77488-796-7 (audiobook) $26.99
for Grades 9 and up

From the moment that Evie Laurent arrives at Northcroft boarding school and sees former crush, actress Holland Morgan, she knows she wants to know her more completely. Holland knows that falling for Evie is one of many terrible choices she has made in her life, but she’s not certain that it matters. But the school is harbouring a deadly secret, and as their attraction turns to obsession, the girls can feel something dark calling to each of them. Do they fight it and protect one another, or do they give in to the darkness?

E. Latimer’s new YA dark academia novel is a creepy fantasy-horror full of startling secrets that slowly reveal themselves as the story unfolds. Evie comes from a privileged but cold family. After the accidental drowning death of her twin sister Ada, Evie is forced to take her place at Northcroft where her father is dean, but she carries a dark secret. Evie allowed her sister to drown and is secretly relieved that she’s gone. Holland also carries a dark secret, but the strange goings on at Northcroft overshadow their budding romance. Why won’t her father see her? Why do the rooms have blackout blinds? Why is there a sundown curfew? Why are they forbidden from being near the forest at night, and how is the school’s powerful masked secret society involved?

While it may take some patience for readers to find the answers to these questions, the story is sufficiently suspenseful and creepy to keep them following along until the bombshell ending. Recommended for older teens.

Rachel Seigel

* * *

Book cover of "The Fragments that Remain."

The Fragments that Remain 
written by Mackenzie Angeconeb 
DCB Young Readers, 2025 
978-1-77086-779-6 (pb) $16.95
978-1-77086-780-2 (ebook) $8.99 
for Grades 9 and up

Andy is devastated after the death of her brother, Ally, born in the same year and known as her “honorary twin.” Visual art was her outlet for self-expression, but grief has made art feel irrelevant, so she begins to write letters to her deceased brother. Most of the book is comprised of these anguished, introspective missives. Andy experiences and describes a journey that is primarily interior and emotional, though glimpses of her new life are revealed.

She is astonished to meet a caring friend group at university who appreciate her as a complete entity, rather than as half of a pair of twins. When a new relationship ends badly, Andy is again left to pick up the pieces. She copes by reading a cache of poems left hidden by Ally in their shared room. Now, Ally takes shape, not the outgoing and happy-go-lucky brother that he appeared, but a young man plagued by depression and feelings of inadequacy that led to fatal substance abuse.

This is a poetic and thoughtful novel, only lightly concerned with plot or narrative. The story explores the unbearable pain of loss but speaks to a wide audience in its contemplation of the universal challenges that accompany growing up. For Andy, hope comes as she embraces her Indigenous heritage, makes new friendships, and returns to her art. Angeconeb skilfully embeds readers deeply within the subjective psyches of two very different teens and conjures up all the angst that comes with being a young adult.

Kris Rothstein is an editor, cultural critic and literary agent in Vancouver, BC.

* * *

The Haunted Blizzard
written by Aviaq Johnston
illustrated by Athena Gubbe
Inhabit Media, 2025
978-1-7722-7560-5 (hc) $22.95
for Grades 6 and up

On the opening pages of The Haunted Blizzard—a chilling graphic novel set in Canada’s north—the dark sky is thick with wind and heavy snow. When the local high school closes, students are asked to wait for their older siblings to pick them up. However, a teenage girl decides to make the trek home alone. “The storm is full of bad things,” an Elder cautions as the conditions worsen, but her words go ignored.

The Haunted Blizzard is the most recent book by Aviaq Johnston, a young Inuk author from Igloolik, Nunavut, whose debut novel, Those Who Run in the Sky, was shortlisted for the 2017 Governor General's Literary Award for Young People's Literature. It’s told through the dark, atmospheric illustrations of Athena Gubbe, an Ontario-based artist who also works as an animator and painter.

The book’s dialogue is sparse, and wordless frames show traces of a looming and unseen presence that stalks the young student as she navigates the storm on her solitary walk home. Dark, almost black, illustrations undoubtedly evoke a sense of dread in readers, as do the book’s many sound effects—bang, whoosh, huff, thump, slam!

At only 35 pages, The Haunted Blizzard is a short but unsettling horror graphic novel that feels expansive despite its small page count. This is especially thanks to Johnston’s ability to build suspense, even after her protagonist arrives home. Instead of comfort, she’s greeted by an empty house with terrifying, unexplained noises, made even more upsetting by her active imagination.

In much of The Haunted Blizzard, readers see only one character; however, the unseen character never wanders far. Readers of all ages will be reminded of their own childhood fears of being alone in the dark with the possibility of a monster lurking nearby. The Haunted Blizzard is the kind of book that makes everyone wonder what might be waiting just around the corner.

Jessica Rose

* * *

Hey, Mary!
written by Andrew Wheeler
illustrated by Rye Hickman
Oni Press, 2025
978-1-6371-5638-4 (pb) $24.99
for Grades 8 and up

Mark is a good, devout Catholic boy. Catholicism makes him who he is, and faith plays a major role in his life. As a child, while other kids might have had imaginary friends, Mark spoke to the saints, specifically his favourite, the Virgin Mary. As a teenager, Mark’s strong feelings for a gay classmate, Luca, bring complications into his life. As Mark struggles internally with what he’s been taught his whole life, Luca and a Drag Queen named Jojo discuss alternative queer interpretations of the bible with him and challenge his views. Father Teo, a young priest, also offers guidance. With historical figures like Joan of Arc, Michaelangelo, St. Sebastian, Savonarola and the Virgin Mary also speaking to him, Mark struggles with whether he can be gay and Catholic.

A good fit for fans of Flamer, Hey, Mary! is a coming-of-age story that provides a nuanced view of what it means to be queer and religious. This earnest story is an unflinching look at the Catholic Church, both its positive and negative aspects. While teens going through what Mark is will relate to his struggles, the theme of self-acceptance is universal. Mark’s internal conflict is perfectly captured with vivid artwork that portrays the artworks and historical figures discussed in the book.

“Sinners” and saints provide a path to coming out in this original graphic novel as it explores how queer love and identity can be sacred too.

Em Hunter

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Book cover of "In the Company of Killers."

In the Company of Killers
written by Elora Cook
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025
978-0-316-57415-0 (pb) $16.99
978-0-316-57416-7 (ebook) $12.99
978-1-6686-4751-6 (audiobook) $41.99
for Grades 9 and up

Fiction | Thriller | Vengeance | Family | Romance

Beneath the luxury and lavishness of New York’s suburb of Scarsdale lies one of the worst-kept secrets: The mob is at the centre of everything. Seventeen-year-old Tasha Nicastro lives in blissful ignorance of her family’s true source of power until the day her father and beloved older sister are brutally murdered. Suddenly, Tasha is faced with the terrifying reality that her family runs the most powerful Mafia branch in New York, and she is the only Nicastro left to take control.

As she desperately scrabbles to survive under the weight of her new crown, she vows to take vengeance on the mysterious new mob behind the hit, but she can’t do it alone. Faced with needing the help of her bitter rival, Leo Danesi, the heir to his own family’s empire, Tasha must tread cautiously in her hunt. But Tasha has been raised in the company of killers, and there is nothing she won’t do to avenge her family. That is if the enemy doesn’t get her first.

Elora Cook weaves a tale that is equal parts thriller and romance. Split between the perspectives of the two mafia heirs, Cook paints a picture of a life of ill-gotten privilege from two different angles: one of ignorant familial pride and the other of open-eyed disgust and resignation.

In the Company of Killers is a standalone crime thriller flavoured with the enticement of a rivals-to-lover forbidden romance. This is a story about family—and the many burdens of familial obligations. Anyone who has felt the weight of a family legacy, who knows the pressure of maintaining an image, or who just likes a good forbidden romance will find a steadfast companion in this story. Written for a young adult audience, this story follows the principle that there are two sides to every story and that sometimes it’s necessary to put aside old grievances to win the day.

Sara Rigotti is a student at the University of Ottawa and a board member of the Writers’ Community of Durham Region.

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Meet Me at Blue Hour
written by Sarah Suk
Quill Tree Books
978-0-06-325518-0 (hc) $24.99
978-0-06-325520-3 (ebook) $10.99
978-0-06-325521-0 (audiobook) $27.99

Sarah Suk, author of The Space Between Here & Now and Made in Korea, brings the question of how far science should go in her newest novel, Meet Me at Blue Hour. Former childhood best friends Yena Bae and Lucas Park have not seen each other in four years, after Lucas mysteriously moved away. Yena has felt untethered ever since and hopes a summer working at her mom’s memory lab in Busan, Korea, will help her reconnect with a life she feels so distant from. Lucas is also in Busan this summer, trying to get his grandfather into the memory clinic in a desperate hope to save his fading memory. When Yena and Lucas literally run into each other outside the clinic, she can hardly believe it’s him. What’s even more unbelievable is that he has absolutely no memory of her, and she has no idea why. As the two reconnect over the summer, Yena tries to solve this mystery while also rediscovering some of the feelings she thought she had lost four years ago.

Suk has a gift for bringing speculative science fiction into the hands of readers in ways that cement them in an understandable lived reality. The dual point of view creates a beautiful balance between the experiences of the two main characters as they simultaneously explore Lucas’s missing moments and navigate present-day familial challenges. In addition, Suk explores the power of grief and the depths to which some people will go to escape from difficult emotions. This feels especially poignant for readers during this time when so much of the world is in flux.

Ashley Pamenter is the Manager of Programs at Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada. She is currently the co-chair of the Red Maple and White Pine Steering Committees with the Ontario Library Association and volunteers to host author interviews for the Cobourg Public Library.

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The Nothing Club
written by Cathy Beveridge
Ronsdale Press, 2025
978-1-55380-728-5 (pb) $19.95
for Grades 8 to 10

Four teenagers are starting their summer with mandatory community service after each made their own poor decisions. As a result, they were all sent to work under the supervision of a philanthropic widow named Ms. Stafford and her property caretaker, Reg. Despite his complicated background, Reg becomes a mentor to the four teens. He takes it on himself to rehabilitate these teens by teaching them about honest work and daily meditation. As they begin their work, they learn about each other and share the united feeling of being judged. Since they feel that others consider them “good for nothing,” they begin to call themselves “The Nothing Club.” The story is narrated by a member of The Nothing Club, 15-year-old Grady.

After one of the Club members, Catherine, goes missing, Reg is the prime suspect, as he was the last to see her before she disappeared. The teens decide they need to both exonerate him and rescue their friend. As their plan goes into action, they learn the truth about Reg, Ms. Stafford and the power of forgiveness.

Beveridge blends teachings of spirituality, forgiveness and the meaning of relationships in this brilliant novel. The characters have their own unique experiences, which allow the events of the novel to reveal personal growth. Each member of the Club develops emotionally and spiritually, allowing opportunities to see God in their life. As they grow, they begin to offer forgiveness to others and themselves. Beveridge shares rich lessons with her readers about what matters most in life and how much we can grow when we are not mired down by personal judgements.

Christine O’Sullivan is a secondary school teacher-librarian in Brantford, Ontario.

* * *

The Queen’s Spade
written by Sarah Raughley
HarperCollins Publishers, 2025
978-0-06-334438-9 (hc) $24.99
978-0-06-334440-2 (ebook) $8.99
978-0-06-334441-9 (audiobook) $35.99
for Grades 9 and up

Historical Fiction | Thriller | Revenge | Romance

This is the story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a princess of the Egbado Clan turned captive and commodity of the British crown. Abducted from her native land and “saved” under the guise of the British Crown’s system of colonial “humanitarianism,” which stole her very identity and transformed her into royal property, Sarah desires one thing above all else: revenge. Her mantra is a list of names—the names of all those who had a hand in her suffering—military men and political leaders, and above all others, her godmother, Queen Victoria herself.

But taking down the Crown means entering a twisted game of influence and image—a game her enemies know how to play all too well. With opportunity slipping away, Sarah must decide just how far she’s willing to fall. And how much blood she’s prepared to spend.

With inspiration based loosely on the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter, Raughley crafts a riveting historical thriller that offers an unflinching gaze to justice, retribution, and societal image. Written from the perspective of Sarah Forbes herself, the readers are given a first-hand taste of her humiliation and pain, as well as her thirst for vengeance.

Set in the mid-1800s, this story is one of strength, pride, and perseverance. Thrills, manipulations, and unseen obstacles, all thrown together and spiced with a bit of romance, make this book nearly impossible to put down. Anyone who knows the ache of having their identity denied, their culture disregarded, or their independence stripped, will take strength in Sarah Forbes’ story. Written for a young adult audience, this book is a testament to one very special woman of history, and all the forgotten children who walked alongside her.

Sara Rigotti

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What Wakes the Bells
written by Elle Tesch
Feiwel & Friends, 2025
978-1-250-32280-7 (hc) $26.99
978-1-250-32281-4 (ebook) $12.99
978-1-250-41189-1 (audiobook) $35.99
for Grades 10 and up

As if living in a sentient city is not hard enough, Mina’s family has the incredibly important job of keeping the Vesper bells of Vaiwyn from ringing. All it takes is one wrong move, and the bells will chime, waking an ancient slumbering evil. Much to Mina’s horror, she is unable to stop the Vesper’s ring and evil is unleashed, turning the very city against them. This event summons the powers of ancient saints to return to Vaiwyn to battle against one of their own. Mina is left with the choice of how far she would go to save her city and whom she would turn against in the process.

Elle Tesch’s debut novel is nothing short of epic world-building. Within the early pages, the reader is immediately immersed in Mina’s complex world of ancient saints, deep magics, and complicated family dynamics fueled by the grief that comes with losing a parent. Tesch creates an immersive experience that is rarely achieved in a standalone piece of fantasy. Every element of her setting transports the reader into a world of good, evil, power, and powerlessness. Part of what tempers this unique alternative history is the relatability of the main character. She is wonderfully flawed and does not feel like the typical fantasy heroine.

Content advisory: This novel is intended for older YA readers and explores complex relationships, substance use, and violence.

Ashley Pamenter

* * *

Non-Fiction

Book cover of "Chomp-O-Rama: The Strange Ways That Animals Eat."

Chomp-O-Rama: The Strange Ways That Animals Eat
written by Maria Birmingham
illustrated by Kyle Reed
Owlkids Books, 2025
978-1-77147-550-1 (hc) $22.95
978-1-77147-722-2 (ebook) $12.99
for Kindergarten to Grade 2

Non-Fiction | Animals | Food | Animal Behaviour | Eating Habits

In this companion to Snooze-O-Rama, a previous Owlkids title, readers learn about the ways in which animal food habits resemble and/or differ from their own. The book is replete with numerous scientific examples of animal behaviour, each presented in a humorous, playful manner, and each case is more curious than the last. Pity the pygmy shrew who eats non-stop or risks death and the crocodile who must consume rocks to digest his victims!!

The text bubbles are filled with fresh and quirky phrases that convey the facts, both informative and amazing. Inviting illustrations depict a series of human food habits juxtaposed against a contrasting or similar animal practise. One sentence describes the human tradition, but greater detail is provided for the animal comparison. For instance, we learn that while humans take lunch bags to school, a chipmunk carries food in its cheeks, humans store food in the fridge, but jays store leftovers on trees, and humans shop for food, but an Arctic fox steals their meals!

The book concludes with the affirmation that, despite differing food habits, all living creatures require food for survival, and it describes the distinctions between herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. A bibliography encourages further investigation, and delightful, colourful artwork shows human families of all ethnicities and abilities, as well as stylized, whimsical animals full of expression, going about their meals.

Children will delight in this entertaining title, which presents easily digestible science facts that spark wonder. A very good addition for public and school libraries and a great read-aloud.

Aileen Wortley is a retired librarian from Toronto.

* * *

Book cover of "Dogs vs. Humans: A Showdown of the Senses."

Dogs vs. Humans: A Showdown of the Senses
written by Stephanie Gibeault
illustrated by Bambi Edlund
Owlkids Books, 2025
978-1-77147-578-5 (hc) $22.95
978-1-77147-721-5 (ebook) $12.99
for Grades 1 to 4

Non-fiction | Dogs | Five Senses | Dog Behaviour

In this entertaining non-fiction title, author Stephanie Gibeault compares the way dogs and humans perceive the world through their five senses—sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. While humans see distance, depth and colour more acutely, dogs have a special mirror-like layer at the back of their eyes that gives them better night vision. And while dogs detect and communicate by smell better, humans have more taste buds. A dog’s heat-sensitive nose and extrasensory whiskers are better at detecting heat and the size and shape of things, but humans can locate sounds more accurately than dogs. And finally, dogs use magnetoreception, which allows them to identify the north and south poles and enables them to find their way home, while humans have not developed this sense. Since dogs and humans adapted differently, they sense the world differently, leaving each species with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Filled with fun facts, jokes and cartoon-style illustrations, this title will attract young readers and dog-lovers to its pages. It will help primary grade students develop a deeper understanding of the five senses and would be an excellent resource when researching our canine companions. A helpful glossary of terms used in the text is located at the back of the book. Dogs vs. Humans will make a great addition to your home or school library.

Sandra O’Brien is a dog-lover whose dogs can hear the treat drawer opening a mile away.

* * *

The Friendship Guide
written by Dr. Jillian Roberts
illustrated by Andrea Armstrong
Orca Book Publishers, 2025
978-1-4598-3931-1 (hc) $21.95
978-1-4598-3933-5 (ebook) $17.99
for Grades 1 to 3

Non-Fiction | Friendship | Social Situations

Navigating difficult social situations among friends and peers can be a daunting task for young children in their first years of school. Fortunately, Dr. Jillian Roberts and illustrator Andrea Armstrong have provided an excellent resource to help children familiarize themselves with the enigmatic world of social graces.

Roberts' learning-through-examples approach thoughtfully instructs children on ways to become a better friend, classmate, or just a better person in general. Each pair of facing pages addresses one of the many familiar situations a child may encounter in class, at the playground, at a birthday party, or elsewhere. These scenarios provide relatable examples in which readers learn how to make the best choices in social situations—be it learning to take turns on a swing set, sharing the last piece of birthday cake, or welcoming new friends into a group. Roberts' situational guidance covers a wide range of social norms, preparing readers to do the right thing when they inevitably encounter similar situations in their daily lives. The book closes with a list of "Friendship Activities" that can help children build their teamwork skills and foster empathy when playing with their peers.

Armstrong's cheerful watercolour and charcoal illustrations make a splendid match for Roberts' direct and warmhearted prose. The vibrant, cartoonish representations of children with diverse backgrounds and abilities dealing with familiar circumstances are sure to be instantly engaging to even the youngest children. The beautiful artwork combined with the book's valuable lessons and fun suggested activities make The Friendship Guide an excellent addition to any child's bookshelf.

Michael Nyby

* * *

Book cover of "Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes from Around the World."

Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes from Around the World
written by Charlene Smith
illustrated by Natalya Tariq
Orca Book Publishers, 2025
978-1-4598-3804-8 (hc) $24.95
978-1-4598-3806-2 (ebook) $19.99
for Grades 4 to 7

Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes from Around the World is an incredible anthology that includes 13 inspirational profiles of Muslim women athletes. All of the featured Muslim athletes come from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds and play a variety of sports. The book features Nadeen Alhamad, a skateboarder; Latifah McBryde, a wrestler; and Sumayyah Green, a downhill mountain bike racer.

All of the athletes have been intentionally chosen and represent Muslim women who have made the choice to wear a hijab. Many of the athletes have had to pave the way for themselves, being the first hijabi to participate in these sports. Their inspiring stories show their passion and dedication to challenging unfair rules and breaking barriers. These Muslim women athletes exemplify the importance of staying true to one’s identity. This book reinforces the important message that one should not be put in the position of having to choose between their dreams and faith.

This book is very engaging and interesting! Each athlete has a section devoted to them, featuring an illustration and two to three pages of information. Readers will be able to learn from the stories of the athletes, which include how they have navigated various issues, such as inclusion, representation, sexism, and racism, within the sports community. The book reinforces important messages of community, allyship and advocacy. Readers of all identities will have the opportunity to feel encouraged by the examples of purpose and joy of these athletes. They will be motivated to do their part to work for inclusion for people of all identities in sports.

Rabia Khokhar

* * *

Book cover of "The Land Knows Me: A Nature Walk Exploring Indigenous Wisdom."

The Land Knows Me: A Nature Walk Exploring Indigenous Wisdom
written by Leigh Joseph
illustrated by Natalie Schnitter
becker&mayer! Kids, 2025
978-0-7603 0-9291-1 (hc) $25.99
for Grades 1 to 6

In this message of respect and appreciation for nature, a mother and two children, guided by an ethnobotanist, take a walk. They discover wildlife first-hand and pay their respects to their plant relatives. Set in the Pacific Northwest, it focuses on nature from the perspective of the Squamish culture, who have walked that land for thousands of years.

The first part of the book reveals the appreciative group surrounded by the beauty of nature as the guide identifies shrubs and plants, describing their qualities and uses. Here, the bright, accomplished artwork shows eager children and rich, lush flora. The second part profiles 15 plants identified on the walk. A double-page spread is devoted to each, featuring a stunning illustration and details about its habits, history, and use.

The book contains valuable messages that include the importance of elders passing on knowledge, recognizing the interconnectedness of nature, and the need to slow down and appreciate our surroundings. Practical information is provided, emphasizing the importance of preparing for safety when walking and how to harvest plants respectfully. A glossary, a list of Squamish words, and additional sidebar material are included.

In order to promote the Squamish language, the text is interspersed with its rather complex vocabulary. While intriguing, this detracts from the readability of the botanical information provided. The book is visually beautiful and shares rich botanical insights and attitudes rooted in centuries of tradition. While its immediate focus is on plants and language from a specific region, its message is universal.

Aileen Wortley

* * *

Book cover of "Money for Adulting: Fun Tips and Financial Tricks for Teens."

Money for Adulting: Fun Tips and Financial Tricks for Teens
written by Michelle Hung
Callisto Teens, 2025
979-8-88650-383-8 (pb) $22.50
for Grades 7 and up

Financial Literacy | Money | Investing

Michelle Hung’s Money for Adulting: Fun Tips and Financial Tricks for Teens provides teens and adults with a foundational understanding of personal finance. The book’s logical structure moves from securing income to saving and then to growing wealth. The author's conversational tone, peppered with personal anecdotes, makes the often-intimidating world of finance feel accessible and relatable, like receiving advice from a trusted friend. Hung’s inclusion of personal experiences, such as learning the importance of a bank account after a wallet theft and navigating the pitfalls of credit card debt, provides valuable real-world lessons for teen readers. As well, she includes several anecdotes from others that will resonate with readers and illustrate key financial principles in a memorable way.

Hung excels at breaking down complex concepts into digestible chunks, making it an ideal resource for beginners. The inclusion of chapter summaries, quizzes, a glossary, and a comprehensive index reinforces its value as a reference tool. The visually appealing layout, with its colourful design, further enhances the reading experience. While the book’s U.S.-centric examples regarding taxes, deductions, and certain investment products may limit its applicability for readers in Canada, the core principles remain universally relevant. The resources section, including recommended books and online tools, is a valuable addition for readers wanting to learn more.

Hung provides a straightforward and engaging introduction to personal finance. Through clear explanations, relatable anecdotes, and practical advice, she makes it a worthwhile read for youth looking to build a solid financial foundation. This book is highly recommended for home, school and library collections.

Krista Jorgensen is a former public librarian currently residing in Calgary, Alberta. She is homeschooling her two children.

* * *

Book cover of "Ours to Tell: Reclaiming Indigenous Stories."

Ours to Tell: Reclaiming Indigenous Stories
written by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger
Annick Press, 2025
978-1-77321-953-0 (hc) $24.99
978-1-77321-954-7 (pb) $16.99
for Grades 7 and up

Non-Fiction | Anthology | Cultures and Heritage | Customs and Traditions | Indigenous

Separated into five parts and 16 chapters, Yellowhorn and Lowinger have compiled a wonderful anthology that showcases some extraordinary and diverse Indigenous creators across various time periods and geographies throughout what is now known as the Americas. These amazing individuals’ stories are shared through the creation of symbols, mapmaking, visual arts, and writing, emphasizing their own histories, experiences, and cultures in the formats of their choosing.

In the front matter of the book, there is a note about terminology and language, as well as a general introduction to the book. The back matter includes a lovely afterward by Yellowhorn about the importance of Indigenous people sharing their stories, as well as pages for sources, resources, and an index.

The writing is beautiful, clear and accessible, and the graphics, photos, and design of the book are outstanding. This is an excellent introductory book for anyone interested in learning more about remarkable Indigenous people through their own lenses and often in their own words.

Colette Poitras

* * *

Book cover of "True Story of Vanilla: How Edmond Albius Made History."

True Story of Vanilla: How Edmond Albius Made History
(Orca Biography)
written by Ann Richards
illustrated by Arden Taylor
Orca Book Publishers 2025
978-1-4598-3844-4 (hc) $24.95
978-1-4598-3846-8 (ebook) $19.99
for Grades 4 to 7

Third in the Orca Biography series, this tour de force presents the story of a little known and unconventional hero, Edmond Albius. At the age of 12, he discovered how to pollinate the vanilla plant, a problem that had long baffled horticulturalists. His achievement resulted in the eventual development of a billion-dollar vanilla industry.

Edmond was born into slavery but was encouraged to develop a passionate love of horticulture by his owner and benefactor, Féréol Bellier Beaumont, with whom he mingled regularly with scientists and naturalists. The story of this unlikely hero unfolds through achievement, acclaim, emancipation, and ultimately, betrayal and tragedy.

Parallel with Edmond’s story runs the botanical history of the vanilla plant, that provides a desirable and versatile spice used in cooking, medicine and cosmetics but notably difficult to propagate. Both stories are set against the harsh backdrop of plantation life on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean where slavery was the norm and the ‘Code Noire’ established the treatment and punishment of slaves.

The use of primary sources, a timeline, glossary, resource list, index, intriguing sidebars and a dramatic layout add to the title’s richness. Beautiful illustrations, including contrasting large double-page spreads and small, delicate ones, enhance the story, making Edmond’s life and that of his beloved vanilla plant sparkle.

Multiple details have been skillfully researched and intertwined while maintaining an appealing readability. The end result is a compelling, dramatic biography, a documentation of plantation slavery, and a tribute to the remarkable vanilla plant and its role in our lives.

Aileen Wortley

* * *

Book cover of "When a Tree Falls: Nurse Logs and Their Incredible Forest Power."

When a Tree Falls: Nurse Logs and Their Incredible Forest Power
written by Kirsten Pendreigh
illustrated by Elke Boschinger
Chronicle Books, 2025
978-1-7972-1867-0 (hc) $28.99
for Grades 1 to 3

Non-Fiction | Trees | Forests | Life Cycles

Kirsten Pendreigh's When a Tree Falls is a visual and lyrical delight for young readers. Though it begins on a somber note with a tree falling, it is a new and crucial start for the tree as a nurse log. Nurse logs are akin to mothers; they provide shelter for animals during storms, foster the growth of mosses, and serve as a vital food source. The cyclical nature of life is shown as the nurse log gradually returns to the soil, paving the way for a new tree to take its place and continue the cycle. This circular narrative is both comforting and educational, highlighting the enduring rhythm of nature.

From the very first page, young readers will be drawn into a world of enchanting beauty, thanks to Elke Boschinger’s stunning illustrations. Boschinger’s attention to detail is remarkable, showcasing the intricate textures of ferns, the towering grandeur of ancient trees, and the lively presence of squirrels and birds.

Beyond the visual splendor, children will delight in playing "search and find," discovering hidden animals within the detailed illustrations on each page. For those eager to delve deeper, the book provides supplementary information about nurse logs, making it a valuable resource for teachers and curious readers alike.

This book is highly recommended for primary school read-alouds and family sharing. Its combination of breathtaking illustrations, engaging narrative, and educational content make it a truly special addition to library, school or personal collections.

Krista Jorgensen

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