52 Canadian picture books coming out in fall 2020
Here are the Canadian picture books coming out this season we can't wait to read.
Raj's Rule by Lana Button, illustrated by Hatem Aly
Raj's Rule is about Raj, a boy who doesn't like to use the bathroom when he's at school. He prefers the one at home and has a rule to never go to the potty when he's at school. But one day, Raj sneezes and learns that sometimes, when you have to go, you have to go.
Raj's Rule is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Aug. 15, 2020
Lana Button is a children's book author from Ontario. Her other books include My Teacher's Not Here! and What if Bunny is Not a Bully?
Hatem Aly is a children's book illustrator who lives in New Brunswick. He also illustrated the picture book The Proudest Blue, which was written by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali.
Our Little Kitchen by Jillian Tamaki
Our Little Kitchen is a picture book that features a neighbourhood with colourful characters who come together in the kitchen to share a meal. Our Little Kitchen is a celebration of food, community and laughter.
Our Little Kitchen is for ages 4-8.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Jillian Tamaki is an award-winning illustrator. In 2014, Tamaki received the Governor General's Literary Award for her work in This One Summer, written by her cousin and graphic novelist Mariko Tamaki. They also collaborated on Skim. Her other books include the comics SuperMutant Magic Academy and Boundless and the picture book They Say Blue.
Tamaki created a comic strip called This Face for the special CBC Books series Borders.
Maggie's Treasure by Jon-Erik Lappano, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka
In Maggie's Treasure, Maggie is a young girl who loves to collect new things. But she soon finds that her treasure collection is growing bigger and bigger. When her parents say she has enough, Maggie has to find a way to keep her precious treasure collection and learn to share in the process.
Maggie's Treasure is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Jon-Erik Lappano and Kellen Hatanaka are an author-illustrator pair from Ontario. Their previous picture book, Tokyo Digs a Garden, won the 2016 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — illustration.
I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree by Jean E. Pendziwol, illustrated by Nathalie Dion
In the picture book I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree, a child learns all about the beauty of her natural surroundings. The lyrical poem is a message of hope and endurance through the eyes of a little girl and the wonder of a cherry tree.
I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Jean E. Pendziwol is an author from Ontario. She is the author of the novel The Lightkeeper's Daughters and the children's books Once Upon a Northern Night, Me and You and the Red Canoe and The Red Sash.
Nathalie Dion is an artist and illustrator based in Montreal. She also illustrated the picture book The Biggest Puddle in the World by Mark Lee.
The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler
The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt is a picture book about a little ghost with a big heart. While his parents are ghosts with sheets, his sheet is a quilt and he doesn't know why. He soon realizes what he is capable of — and that it is OK to be different.
The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Riel Nason is an artist and author from New Brunswick. Her debut novel, The Town That Drowned, won the Commonwealth Book Prize for Canada and Europe and was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. She is also the author of the 2016 novel All the Things We Leave Behind.
Byron Eggenschwiler is an illustrator who has contributed to publications like the New York Times, New Yorker and GQ. He also illustrated the books Operatic by Kyo Maclear and Coyote Tales by Thomas King.
The Last Loose Tooth by Tyler Clark Burke
The Last Loose Tooth is a picture book about a tooth named Lou. He's the last one loose, and he decides to never leave the mouth. It takes a visit from the Tooth Fairy to the Land of Teeth for Lou to realize that it's OK to leave your familiar surroundings.
The Last Loose Tooth is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Tyler Clark Burke is a designer, writer, illustrator and artist from Toronto. She is also the author of the picture book Where Are You Now?
I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated Sydney Smith
I Talk Like a River is a picture book about a young boy who has trouble communicating and is feeling lost and alone. His father takes him for a walk by the river, where he helps him find his voice.
I Talk Like a River is for ages 4-8.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Jordan Scott is a poet from Comox Valley, B.C. His books include Slit, Blert, Decomp, co-authored by Stephen Collis, and Night & Ox. Scott was awarded the 2018 Latner Writers' Trust Poetry Prize, which is given annually to a mid-career poet. I Talk Like a River is his first children's book.
Sydney Smith is an illustrator from Nova Scotia. The books he has illustrated include Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Town is by the Sea, written by Joanne Schwartz. He wrote and illustrated the picture book Small in the City, which won the 2019 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature, illustration.
The Barnabus Project by the Fan Brothers
The Barnabus Project features a secret underground lab, genetically engineered creatures and a story about freedom. Barnabus and his friends live in this lab but they are deemed imperfect and might never see the outside world. But Barnabus yearns to be free and decides that it's time for he and his imperfect friends to make the perfect escape.
The Barnabus Project is for ages 5-9.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Eric Fan and Terry Fan are brothers and frequent collaborators on children's books. Their books include The Night Gardener and Ocean Meets Sky. They also illustrated The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield.
Devin Fan is an artist, poet and youth worker. The Barnabus Project is his first children's book and marks the first time all three brothers have written and illustrated a picture book together.
Nice Try, Charlie! by Matt James
Nice Try, Charlie! is the story of Charlie, a neighbourhood man with a big green hat and a cart full of treasures who finds a pie one day. Charlie is determined to locate the owner of the tasty pastry and finds new friends along the way.
Nice Try, Charlie! is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Matt James is a painter, illustrator and musician from Toronto. He illustrated the picture book When The Moon Comes written by Paul Harbridge and wrote and illustrated the picture book The Funeral.
This Is the Path the Wolf Took by Laura Farina, illustrated by Elina Ellis
This Is the Path the Wolf Took is about a boy who tells stories to his little sister, and tends to embellish them a little along the way. The sister doesn't like when he does that and is determined to let him know how the stories are really supposed to go. This Is the Path the Wolf Took uses humour to remind children of the power of storytelling and what makes for a good story.
This Is the Path the Wolf Took is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Laura Farina is a writer and poet from Vancouver. In 2017, Farina made the CBC Poetry Prize longlist for Choose Your Own Poem. She is the author of two poetry collections, Some Talk of Being Human and This Woman Alphabetical. This Is the Path the Wolf Took is her first book for kids.
Elina Ellis is a British illustrator of children's books such as The Reptile Club, which was written by Maureen Fergus.
The Nut That Fell from the Tree by Sangeeta Bhadra, illustrated by France Cormier
In The Nut That Fell from the Tree, children learn how an acorn grows into a tree. Jill is a girl who discovers the wonder of nature as an oak tree grows as the years pass by.
The Nut That Fell from the Tree is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Sangeeta Bhadra is an children's book author from Ontario. She is also the author of Sam's Pet Temper, which was illustrated by Marion Arbona.
France Cormier is an illustrator from Quebec. She has illustrated several French-language picture books.
The International Day of the Girl by Jessica Dee Humphreys & Rona Ambrose, illustrated by Simone Shin
The International Day of the Girl is a celebration about what it means to be a girl all around the world. The United Nations designated Oct. 11 every year as the International Day of the Girl, a day to increase awareness of problems that affect girls around the world and to encourage progress toward gender equality. The stories in this book showcase the importance of the day and the power of being a girl.
The International Day of the Girl is for ages 7-10.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Jessica Dee Humphreys is a Canadian writer and researcher. She is also the author of Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War and has written two books with Roméo Dallaire.
Rona Ambrose is the former interim leader of the federal Conservative Party and the opposition leader between 2015 and 2017. She lives in Calgary and led the global movement to create the International Day of the Girl at the United Nations.
Simone Shin is an American children's book illustrator.
Hug? by Charlene Chua
Hug? is a picture book about awareness and setting appropriate boundaries. Using humour, the book features a child who wants to know how many hugs is too many. In examining compassion and empathy, the child figures out just how to express what she likes and doesn't like.
Hug? is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Charlene Chua is a Singapore-born Canadian author and illustrator. She has illustrated several picture books, including The Pencil by Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula, Shubh Diwali! by Chitra Soundar and Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang.
Hockey in the Wild by Nicholas Oldland
Hockey in the Wild explores lessons on patience and perseverance — along with wild animals playing hockey! The picture book is set in winter and the bear, the moose and the beaver are excited to play the game they all love. But the ice on the lake isn't quite frozen enough and the animals must learn to wait until it is ready.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2020
Nicholas Oldland is an artist, filmmaker and author from Toronto. His other picture books include One Wild Christmas, The Busy Beaver, Big Bear Hug and Up the Creek.
Please Don't Change My Diaper by Sarabeth Holden, illustrated by Emma Pedersen
Please Don't Change My Diaper is a rhyming picture book about a baby who doesn't like to have their diaper changed. It takes a little bit of love for the child to learn that feeling fresh and clean is where it's at.
Please Don't Change My Diaper is for ages 0-3.
When you can read it: Oct. 6, 2020
Sarabeth Holden grew up between Nova Scotia, Nunavut, New Brunswick and Ontario. She is currently the president of the Toronto Inuit Association. Please Don't Change My Diaper is her first book.
Emma Pedersen is a storyteller and illustrator from Ontario. She also illustrated the picture books The Blizzard, written by Heather Main, and Life Cycles of Caribou, written by Monica Ittusardjuat.
Why Are You So Quiet? by Jaclyn Desforges, illustrated by Risa Hugo
In Why Are You So Quiet?, a girl named Myra Louise learns all about the power of silence. For Myra, she feels a bit introverted and the world can seem like a loud place. While everyone keeps asking her why she is so quiet, Myra helps them understand why it is okay to be who you are.
Why Are You So Quiet? is for ages 4-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 8, 2020
Jaclyn Desforges is a writer, editor and poet from Ontario. She was a winner of PEN Canada's 2018 New Voices Award. Why Are You So Quiet? is her first children's book.
Risa Hugo is a picture book illustrator from Vancouver. Why Are You So Quiet? is her first picture book.
Mom Marries Mum! by Ken Setterington, illustrated by Alice Priestley
This picture book celebrates the diversity of family. In Mom Marries Mum! two siblings are over the moon when they learn that their mom and mum have decided to get married.
Mom Marries Mum! is for ages 0-3.
When you can read it: Sept. 8, 2020
Ken Setterington is a writer, storyteller, children's book reviewer and librarian from Toronto. He is also a columnist for CBC Radio's The Next Chapter. His other children's books include Mom and Mum are Getting Married and Branded by the Pink Triangle.
Alice Priestley is an artist and illustrator from Toronto. She has illustrated several children's books, including Rainbows in the Dark by Jan Coates, Winning the Girl of the Sea by Brenda Silsbe and Lights for Gita by Rachna Gilmore.
My Family, Your Family! by Kathryn Cole, illustrated by Cornelia Li
What is the nature of family. My Family, Your Family! showcases the many different types of families, including gay parents, single parents, blended families and other family groups.
My Family, Your Family! is for ages 0-3.
When you can read it: Sept. 8, 2020
Kathryn Cole is an illustrator, art director, editor, publisher and children's book author from Toronto. Her other books for children include A Tattle-Tell Tale and Never Give Up, both illustrated by Qin Leng.
Cornelia Li is an illustrator and storyteller from Toronto. She also illustrated the books Voyage Through Space, Animals at Night and Nature's Light Spectacular, all written by Katy flint.
My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee, illustrated by Elaine Chen
My Day with Gong Gong is a story about a little girl, her grandfather and a fateful day in Chinatown. Little May doesn't seem to connect with her grandpa Gong Gong, who only speaks a little English. They are out on a day trip and she isn't having much fun. But May realizes that Gong Gong knows much more than he is letting on and the two end up having a wonderful day together.
My Day with Gong Gong is for ages 4-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 8, 2020
Sennah Yee is a poet and writer from Toronto. She released her debut collection of poetry, How Do I Look? in 2017.
Elaine Chen is an illustrator and art director from Vancouver.
Lilliana and the Frogs by Scot Ritchie
Lilliana and the Frogs is about a girl named Lilliana who simply adores frogs and being in nature. One day she decides to bring some real live frogs home, leading to a funny adventure when the frogs escape.
Lilliana and the Frogs is for ages 3-5.
When you can read it: Sept. 12, 2020
Scot Ritchie is a Vancouver-born author and illustrator. He has published more than a dozen books for children, including Follow That Bee!, My Class and Me and Look Where We Live.
The Paper Boat by Thao Lam
The Paper Boat uses collage art to tell a wordless story about a family's escape from Vietnam — a journey that connects with nature and an ant colony. The Paper Boat depicts a perilous journey of hope, perseverance and new beginnings.
The Paper Boat is for ages 6-9.
When you can read it: Sept. 15, 2020
Thao Lam is an author and illustrator from Toronto. Her picture books include Wallpaper and My Cat Looks Like My Dad.
Shape Up, Construction Trucks! by Victoria Allenby
Shape Up, Construction Trucks! is a board book that uses colour, rhyme and vivid images of vehicles to teach children all about different shapes.
Shape Up, Construction Trucks! is for ages 2-5.
When you can read it: Sept. 15, 2020
Victoria Allenby is a poet and writer from Toronto. She is also the author of the picture books Good Morning, Grumple, illustrated by Manon Gauthier, and Rhino Rumpus, illustrated by Tara Anderson.
Princesses Versus Dinosaurs by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Joy Ang
Princesses Versus Dinosaurs is a funny self-aware story about what happens when lucky princesses and determined dinosaurs face off.
Princesses Versus Dinosaurs is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 15, 2020
Linda Bailey is children's book author who was born in Winnipeg and now lives in Vancouver. Her other books include Carson Crosses Canada, Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein and a series of picture books about a dog named Stanley.
Joy Ang is an illustrator, visual artist and comic book cover designer from Alberta.
Snow Doves by Nancy Hartry, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
In Snow Doves, a boy named Sami has arrived in a new country and doesn't know anything about the snow that is all around him. His new neighbour Joy doesn't speak his language, but the two children connect about understanding and facing fears on a cold and snowy day.
Snow Doves is for ages 3-6.
When you can read it: Sept. 15, 2020
Nancy Hartry is a novelist and picture book author from Toronto. She is also the author of the picture books Hold On, McGinty! and Jocelyn and the Ballerina.
Gabrielle Grimard is an author and illustrator from Quebec. She wrote and illustrated the picture books Lila and the Crow and Nutcracker Night and illustrated the books Stolen Words by Melanie Florence and The Magic Boat by Kit Pearson and Katherine Farris.
I Do Not Like Stories by Andrew Larsen, illustrated by Carey Sookocheff
A boy who doesn't like stories is the subject of I Do Not Like Stories. The picture book is about a contrarian kid who — over the course of a day and through the love of his cat — learns that stories can be funny and interesting after all.
I Do Not Like Stories is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 15, 2020
Andrew Larsen is a children's book author based in Toronto. His other picture books include Me, Toma and the Concrete Garden, illustrated by Anne Villeneuve, and The Imaginary Garden, illustrated by Irene Luxbacher.
Carey Sookocheff is an illustrator based in Ontario. She also illustrated the picture books Sprout, Seed, Sprout by Annika Dunklee and the Buddy and Earl series by Maureen Fergus.
Bobby Orr and the Hand-me-down Skates by Kara Kootstra & Bobby Orr, illustrated by Jennifer Phelan
Bobby Orr and the Hand-me-down Skates is about a boy named Bobby and his love for hockey. He really wants a brand new pair of ice skates. When he receives a pair of old hand-me-down skates, he is initially upset but soon learns to love them. He can't imagine life without them but has to make a choice when a new pair arrive in his life.
Bobby Orr and the Hand-Me-Down Skates is for ages 4-8.
When you can read it: Sept. 22, 2020
Kara Kootstra is an author and classically trained singer and pianist from Windsor, Ont. She is also the author of the hockey-themed books The Boy in Number Four and Jay Versus the Saxophone of Doom.
Bobby Orr is a former professional ice hockey player, widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time.
Jennifer Phelan is an artist and illustrator From Toronto. Her other books include Hey, Boy by Benjamin Strouse and The Log Driver's Waltz by Wade Hemsworth.
Night Walk by Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Ellie Arscott
In Night Walk, a story of nighttime wonder unfolds through the eyes of a child. When a little girl can't sleep one night, her dad takes her out on a walk around the neighbourhood. At night, the girl realizes that being outside at night is like a whole new world to explore.
Night Walk is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Sept. 29, 2020
Sara O'Leary is a writer from Quebec. She is the author of the novel The Ghost in the House and the children's books Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets, illustrated by Jacob Grant, A Family Is a Family Is a Family, illustrated by Qin Leng, and This Is Sadie, illustrated by Julie Morstad.
Ellie Arscott is an artist and illustrator from Ontario. Night Walk is her first picture book.
Catch the Sky by Robert Heidbreder, illustrated by Emily Dove
Catch the Sky uses poetic verse to capture how children perceive the world around them. The picture book sees children looking at the sky around them to see birds, balloons, stars and more.
Catch the Sky is for ages 3-8.
When you can read it: Sept. 29, 2020
Robert Heidbreder is a children's poet and author from Vancouver who has been writing children's books for over 30 years. He has published 18 children's books, including A Sea-Wishing Day, Drumheller Dinosaur Dance, Don't Eat Spiders and Our Corner Store. He wrote the children's poem It's 7 p.m.! for CBC Books' Transmission series about life during COVID-19.
Emily Dove is an American author and illustrator.
The Three Brothers by Marie-Louise Gay
The Three Brothers features three siblings who set off on an adventure to discover wild animals within their changing world. Using vibrant illustrations, it's a story of love, togetherness and the impact of climate change.
The Three Brothers is for ages 4-8.
When you can read it: Sept. 29, 2020
Marie-Louise Gay is a prolific author and illustrator of children's literature from Montreal. She has won the Governor General's Literary Award for children literature — illustration twice, for Rainy Day Magic and Yuck, A Love Story. Her other children's books include Mustafa, Any Questions? and the Stella & Sam series.
The Old Woman by Joanne Schwartz, illustrated by Nahid Kazemi
An old woman and her dog is the focus of this moody picture book about life and appreciating each moment. Walking in the autumn leaves one day, the woman wonders what it might be like to fly in the sky. The wind blows, the light fades and the woman wishes for nothing more than to spend each day with her trusty companion.
The Old Woman is for ages 7-12.
When you can read it: Sept. 29, 2020
Joanne Schwartz is a children's author and librarian from Cape Breton who now lives in Toronto. Her previous children's book, Town Is by the Sea, won the 2018 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award for best Canadian children's book of the year.
Nahid Kazemi is an artist, illustrator, graphic designer and author from Montreal. Her other books include I'm Glad That You're Happy, The Orange House and Over the Rooftops, Under the Moon by JonArno Lawson.
The Stray and the Strangers by Steven Heighton, illustrated by Melissa Iwai
Based on a true story, The Stray and the Strangers is about a refugee boy, a stray dog and the friendship they share together.
The Stray and the Strangers is for ages 6-9.
When you can read it: Sept. 29, 2020
Steven Heighton is a novelist, short story writer and poet from Toronto. His other books include the poetry collection The Waking Comes Late, which won the 2016 Governor General's Literary Award for poetry, and the novel The Nightingale Won't Let You Sleep. He also has a memoir coming out in fall 2020, called Reaching Mithymna.
Melissa Iwai is an American author and illustrator.
The Name I Call Myself by Hasan Namir, illustrated by Cathryn John
Born Edward, the child in The Name I Call Myself prefers to be called Ari. This picture follows their journey from six to being a teenager as they learn more about gender, identity and self-acceptance.
The Name I Call Myself is for ages 5-9.
When you can read it: Oct. 1, 2020
Hasan Namir is a poet and novelist from Vancouver. He is also the author of the novel God in Pink and the poetry collection War / Torn. CBC Books named Namir a writer to watch in 2019.
Cathryn John is an illustrator and designer from Vancouver.
The Lady with the Books by Kathy Stinson, illustrated by Marie Lafrance
This picture book by Kathy Stinson, is based on the real-life work of Jella Lepman, founder of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) and the International Youth Library. The Lady with the Books follows the true story of Jella as she travels with her collection of kids' books around the world on a mission of understanding after the Second World War.
The Lady with the Books is for ages 4-7.
When you can read it: Oct. 6, 2020
Kathy Stinson is a prolific Canadian children's writer from Ontario. She is the author of more than 30 children's books, including Red Is Best, illustrated by Robin Baird Lewis, and The Man with the Violin, illustrated by Dusan Petricic.
Marie Lafrance is an artist and illustrator from Quebec. She also illustrated Oscar Lives Next Door by Bonnie Farmer and Bunny the Brave War Horse by Elizabeth MacLeod.
AAAlligator! by Judith Henderson, illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier
AAAlligator! is a picture book about love and tolerance. It features a hungry alligator, the town residents who don't want it around and a small boy who believes that everyone needs to be understood.
AAAlligator! is for ages 8-12.
When you can read it: Oct. 6, 2020
Judith Henderson is a Canadian children's composer, producer and author. She is also the author of the Big Words Small Stories series.
Andrea Stegmaier is a German illustrator and architect.
111 Trees by Rina Singh, illustrated by Marianne Ferrer
111 Trees is a story based on true events in the life of community activist Sundar Paliwal and explores the power of community and culture. This uplifting story shows how one person can make a difference in a community when Sundar is determined to live in a place where girls are valued as much as boys — and where the land is not devastated by irresponsible corporations.
111 Trees is for ages 5-8.
When you can read it: Oct. 6, 2020
Rina Singh is an India-born Canadian author who now lives in Toronto. Her other children's books include Diwali Lights, My First Book of Hindi Words and Guru Nanak: The First Sikh Guru.
Marianne Ferrer is an artist and illustrator from Quebec. She also created the picture book The Invisible Garden with Valérie Picard.
Let's Time Travel! by Chris Ferrie
Let's Time Travel! features Red Kangaroo and Dr. Chris as they teach children all about time and space. Using real-world and practical examples, Let's Time Travel! aims to teach young readers about scientific and mathematical concepts to help answer many of their "why" questions.
Let's Time Travel! is for ages 8-12.
When you can read it: Oct. 6, 2020
Chris Ferrie is a physicist, mathematician, researcher and children's book author who is from Ontario but now lives in Australia.
The Wrench by Elise Gravel
The Wrench is filled with humour as it looks at the life of Bob and what happens when his tricycle is broken. He needs a wrench to fix it and encounters a series of funny events and happenings along the way.
The Wrench is for ages 3-5.
When you can read it: Oct. 13, 2020
Elise Gravel is a Quebec author and illustrator. She is the author of several books for children, including The Bat, The Worst Book Ever, The Mushroom Fan Club, I Want a Monster! and What Is a Refugee?
When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt
When We Are Kind is a picture book that walks children through simple acts of everyday kindness. It was created with the aim to encourage children to explore their feelings and to use kindness each and every day.
When We Are Kind is for ages 3-5.
When you can read it: Oct. 13, 2020
Monique Gray Smith is a mixed-heritage — Cree, Lakota and Scottish — author who often writes and speaks about the resilience of Indigenous communities in Canada. She is also the author of the children's books Speaking Our Truth and You Hold Me Up and the novels Tilly and Tilly and the Crazy Eights.
Nicole Neidhardt is a Diné visual artist and illustrator. When We Are Kind is her first children's book.
The One with the Scraggly Beard by Elizabeth Withey, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield
The One with the Scraggly Beard is about understanding and being kinder to those who aren't like us. A boy is confused about the man sleeping under the bridge and wonders to his mother why.
The One with the Scraggly Beard is for ages 3-5.
When you can read it: Oct. 13, 2020
Elizabeth Withey is a Saskatoon journalist, author, visual artist and CBC Radio producer. The One with the Scraggly Beard is her first children's book.
Lynn Scurfield is an artist and illustrator from Ontario. She also illustrated the picture book All the Ways Home by Elsie Chapman.
Once Upon an Hour by Ann Yu-Kyung Choi, illustrated by Soyeon Kim
In Once Upon an Hour, a young child named Yu-Rhee must climb the mountainside in search of a plant to heal their sick mother. The Korean girl wants to learn more about the meaning of time — and the mountain itself calls upon the animals that live on the mountainside to help the child complete her mission.
Once Upon an Hour is for ages 3-5.
When you can read it: Oct. 13, 2020
Ann Yu-Kyung Choi is a Canadian author originally from South Korea. Her debut novel Kay's Lucky Coin Variety was published in 2016.
Soyeon Kim is a Toronto-based, Korean-born artist and illustrator. She also illustrated A Last Goodbye, You Are Stardust and Wild Ideas, all by Elin Kelsey.
Hockey Night in Kenya by Danson Mutinda & Eric Walters, illustrated by Claudia Dávila
In Hockey Night in Kenya, two orphans from Kenya, Kitoo and Nigosi, love to read, play soccer and help with chores around the orphanage. They discover a book called Sports Around the World and one of the children become fascinated with an image of the Canadian national men's ice hockey team. The boy teaches himself how to skate and dreams of one day playing hockey just like the players in the book.
Hockey Night in Kenya is for ages 6-8.
When you can read it: Oct. 16, 2020
Eric Walters is one of Canada's most prolific writers for young people. He's penned almost 100 books, including Camp X, The Power of Three and Run. Hockey Night in Kenya is one of two books Walters has on this list. The other is The Boy Who Moved Christmas.
Danson Mutinda is an author based in Kenya. His parents, Ruth and Henry Kyatha, co-founded the Hope Development Centre orphanage with Eric and Anita Walters in 2007.
Claudia Dávila is a Toronto-based artist and illustrator. Her other books include Super Red Riding Hood and Child Soldier, which was written by Michel Chikwanine and Jessica Dee Humphreys.
Cancer is a C Word by Sunita Pal, illustrated by Cody Andreasen
Cancer is a C Word takes on the sensitive issue of talking about tough topics with young children. The picture book introduces and explains what cancer is and how families are forced to deal with the subject and its impact on each other.
Cancer is a C Word is for ages 3-8.
When you can read it: Oct. 15, 2020
Sunita Pal is an author and educator based in Ontario. Her other books include My Pets, My Superhero and My King, all illustrated by Pamela Pal.
Cody Andreasen is an artist and educator based in Alberta. Cancer is a C Word is his first children's book.
The Boy Who Moved Christmas by Eric Walters & Nicole Wellwood, illustrated by Carloe Liu
The Boy Who Moved Christmas is based on the true story of a little boy named Evan Leversage. Evan's family and community moved Christmas so he could celebrate after he became ill and wouldn't survive until the holidays.
The Boy Who Moved Christmas is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Oct. 16, 2020
Walters is the author of nearly 100 books. The Boy Who Moved Christmas is one of two books Walters has on this list. The other is Hockey Night in Kenya.
Nicole Wellwood is a mother to three children and is an advocate for childhood cancer awareness. In 2015, she launched Evans Legacy in her son's honour.
Carloe Liu is a Halifax illustrator, printmaker and art teacher. She also illustrated the picture book Always With You by Walters.
The Fabled Stables: Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier, illustrated by Olga Demidova
The Fabled Stables: Willa the Wisp is the first book in a new adventure series by Jonathan Auxier. The book is about Auggie Pound, an eight-year-old and who loves his job of caring for all the rare magical animals in the Fabled Stables. One day, he sees an empty stall with the name of a new creature to rescue, setting him off on a magical adventure.
The Fabled Stables: Willa the Wisp is for ages 6-9.
When you can read it: Oct. 20, 2020
Auxier is a children's book author from Vancouver. He is also the author of The Night Gardener, Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard and Sweep. Sweep won the 2018 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — text. Auxier wrote an original short story called Vanishing Point for the special CBC Books series Borders.
Olga Demidova is a Russian-born artist and illustrator.
The Case of the Singing Ocean and The Case of The Buzzing Honey Makers by Tara Hungerford & Eric Hogan
The Case of the Singing Ocean and The Case of The Buzzing Honey Makers are the latest books based on children's television series The Gumboot Kids. In The Case of the Singing Ocean Daisy and Scout try to solve a mystery based around water and in The Case of The Buzzing Honey Makers the pair figure out where honey comes from,
The Case of the Singing Ocean and The Case of The Buzzing Honey Makers are for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Oct. 20, 2020
Eric Hogan and Tara Hungerford are a Vancouver husband-and-wife team who run production company Imagine Create Media and are the creators of children's television series The Gumboot Kids.
Family for Faru by Anitha Rao-Robinson, illustrated by Karen Patkau
Family for Faru follows a boy and an orphaned rhinoceros as they work to find a new herd for the baby animal. Tetenya and his mother help Faru, a baby rhinoceros, who is alone on the savannah and in danger from poachers lurking about the landscape.
Family for Faru is for ages 4-7.
When you can read it: Oct. 27, 2020
Anitha Rao-Robinson is a former accountant who now writes children's books. Her other books include Broken Promises and Broken Worlds.
Karen Patkau is a Canadian author, artist, designer and illustrator. She has written and illustrated several nature-themed books for children, including Ringtail, Creatures Great and Small and Who Needs and Iceberg?
Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White by Saumiya Balasubramaniam, illustrated by Eva Campbell
Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White is a touching story about a child and her mother living in a new country and encountering snow for the first time. While the mother misses the warmth of back home, the girl sees magic in the winter sky of her new land.
Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Oct. 27, 2020
Saumiya Balasubramaniam is an author from Ontario. She is also the author the picture book When I Found Grandma, which was illustrated by Qin Leng.
Eva Campbell is an artist and teacher from Victoria. Her work has been exhibited around the world, including in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Barbados and Ghana. She also illustrated the picture book Africville, which was a finalist for the 2018 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — illustrated books and the 2019 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award.
Teatime Around the World by Denyse Waissbluth, illustrated by Chelsea O'Byrne
Teatime Around the World introduces children to tea cultures from around the world. The picture book uses poetry accompanied by unique facts about tea in different countries, such as in Tibet, the traditional tea, po cha, is thick and salty like soup, and in Iran tea is served with a rock candy.
Teatime Around the World is for ages 4-8.
When you can read it: Oct. 28, 2020
Denyse Waissbluth is a writer and journalist from British Columbia. Teatime Around the World is her first children's book.
Chelsea O'Byrne is a Vancouver illustrator and art instructor. She also illustrated Hello, Crow! by Candace Savage.
Wild Pond Hockey by Jeffrey C. Domm
Wild Pond Hockey imagines the very first time hockey was played — and it was with wolves. One icy day, a set of wolves see two ravens chisel away at a piece of ice on a frozen pond. What happens next is an exciting game of animal ice hockey with a chunk of ice as the puck.
Wild Pond Hockey is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Oct. 31, 2020
Jeffrey C. Domm is a Nova Scotia author and illustrator. He has written more than 30 children's books, including Eagle of the Sea, Atlantic Puffin and The Hatchling's Journey.
Snow Days by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Miki Sato
Snow Days uses textured collage art and rhyming couplets to depict the joy and magic of the season called winter. The picture sees children marvelling at the fun winter can bring.
Snow Days is for ages 2-5.
When you can read it: Nov. 2, 2020
Deborah Kerbel is a children's book author from Ontario. Her other books include the picture books Before You Were Born and Sun Dog, both illustrated by Suzanne Del Rizzo, the middle-grade books Feathered and Bye-Bye Evil Eye and the YA books Mackenzie, Lost and Found and Girl on the Other Side.
Miki Sato is a Japanese Canadian illustrator originally from Ottawa. Her work has previously appeared in Today's Parent, Reader's Digest and the Walrus.
Find Fergus by Mike Boldt
In Find Fergus, children play an interactive game as the large and loveable Fergus attempts to hide within the picture book pages. It's a game of look-and-find as readers are prompted to look everyone to find the furry creature.
Find Fergus is for ages 3-7.
When you can read it: Nov. 3, 2020
Mike Boldt is an author and illustrator from Alberta.
The Most Amazing Bird by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak, illustrated by Andrew Qappik
The Most Amazing Bird is about a young girl named Aggataa on a winter walk with her grandmother. Along the way they see tulugarguat, the ravens. Aggataa thinks they are the ugliest birds that she's ever seen. But after connecting with one small raven, the girl discovers that there is beauty in all of nature's creatures.
The Most Amazing Bird is for ages 4-7.
When you can read it: Nov. 10, 2020
Michael Kusugak grew up in Repulse Bay in what is now known as Nunavut. Kusugak's stories explore the traditional Inuit way of life and he has written 12 books for children including his now classic debut book A Promise Is A Promise, co-written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Vladyana Krykorka.
Andrew Qappik is a Canadian Inuit graphic artist currently residing in Pangnirtung, Nunavut. He is a member of the Order of Canada.
