New Titles

Stillwater and Koo save the world

Muth, Jon J.


When Koo, a young panda, has a dream about saving the world, he worries that the job is too big for him to manage. But his Uncle Stillwater shows him that sometimes saving the world starts with doing little things, like being kind and considerate.
Date Published:2023

Rick

Gino, Alex,


Eleven-year-old Rick Ramsey has generally gone along with everybody, just not making waves, even though he is increasingly uncomfortable with his father's jokes about girls, and his best friend's explicit talk about sex; but now in middle school he discovers the Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities can express themselves--and maybe among them he can find new friends and discover his own identity, which may just be to opt out of sex altogether.
Date Published:2020

Eleven-year-old Rick Ramsey has generally gone along with everybody, just not making waves, even though he is increasingly uncomfortable with his father's jokes about girls, and his best friend's explicit talk about sex; but now in middle school he discovers the Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities can express themselves--and maybe among them he can find new friends and discover his own identity, which may just be to opt out of sex altogether.

Date Published:2020

Welcome back, Maple Mehta-Cohen

McGovern, Kate


Maple Mehta-Cohen has been keeping a secret: she can’t read all that well. She has an impressive vocabulary and loves dictating stories into her recorder—especially the adventures of a daring sleuth who’s half Indian and half Jewish like Maple herself—but words on the page just don’t seem to make sense to her. Despite all Maple’s clever tricks to hide her troubles with reading, her teacher is on to her, and now Maple has to repeat fifth grade. Maple is devastated—what will her friends think? Will they forget about her? She uses her storytelling skills to convince her classmates that she’s staying back as a special teacher’s assistant (because of budget cuts, you know). But as Maple navigates the loss of old friendships, the possibility of new ones, and facing her reading challenges head-on, her deception becomes harder to keep up. Can Maple begin to recognize her own strengths, and to love herself—and her brain—just the way she is?
Date Published:2023

Maple Mehta-Cohen has been keeping a secret: she can’t read all that well. She has an impressive vocabulary and loves dictating stories into her recorder—especially the adventures of a daring sleuth who’s half Indian and half Jewish like Maple herself—but words on the page just don’t seem to make sense to her. Despite all Maple’s clever tricks to hide her troubles with reading, her teacher is on to her, and now Maple has to repeat fifth grade. Maple is devastated—what will her friends think? Will they forget about her? She uses her storytelling skills to convince her classmates that she’s staying back as a special teacher’s assistant (because of budget cuts, you know). But as Maple navigates the loss of old friendships, the possibility of new ones, and facing her reading challenges head-on, her deception becomes harder to keep up. Can Maple begin to recognize her own strengths, and to love herself—and her brain—just the way she is?

Date Published:2023

Four eyes : based on a true story

Ogle, Rex,


A humorous and heartwarming middle-grade graphic memoir about fitting in, facing bullies, and finding the right pair of glasses. Sixth grade isn't as great as Rex thought it would be. He's the only kid who hasn't had a growth spurt, and the bullies won't let him forget it. His closest friend is unreliable, at best. And there's a cute girl in his class, who may or may not like hiim back. With so much going on, everything is a blur -- including Rex's vision! So when he discovers that he needs glasses, and his family can only afford the ugliest pair in the store, any hope Rex had of fitting in goes completely out of focus. In this true coming-of-age story, Rex has his sights set on surviving sixth grade, but now he's got to find a way to do it with glasses, no friends, and a family that just doesn't get it!
Date Published:2023

A humorous and heartwarming middle-grade graphic memoir about fitting in, facing bullies, and finding the right pair of glasses. Sixth grade isn't as great as Rex thought it would be. He's the only kid who hasn't had a growth spurt, and the bullies won't let him forget it. His closest friend is unreliable, at best. And there's a cute girl in his class, who may or may not like hiim back. With so much going on, everything is a blur -- including Rex's vision! So when he discovers that he needs glasses, and his family can only afford the ugliest pair in the store, any hope Rex had of fitting in goes completely out of focus. In this true coming-of-age story, Rex has his sights set on surviving sixth grade, but now he's got to find a way to do it with glasses, no friends, and a family that just doesn't get it!

Date Published:2023

What does hate look like?

Jimenez, Sameea,


Illustrated by Juliana Neufeld. We use the word hate all the time—“I hate vegetables” or “I hated that movie!”—but what about the hate that actually hurts someone? There are words, symbols, ideas, beliefs, and actions that cause pain—to us, our friends, family, neighbours, and school mates. What if you’ve caused that kind of pain yourself? Or what if you, or someone you know, has been the victim of hate so scary it made you want to cry? Real kids from real classrooms share their stories here to help us to see the bias, prejudice, violence, discrimination, and exclusion around us—what hate looks like to them. Why? So we can stand against hate and never be the cause of it. And to show us how to cope and get support if we have been hurt. By sharing our stories, we all become stronger. Our schools, neighbourhoods, and communities become safer and more kind, and hate doesn’t win.
Date Published:2023

Illustrated by Juliana Neufeld. We use the word hate all the time—“I hate vegetables” or “I hated that movie!”—but what about the hate that actually hurts someone? There are words, symbols, ideas, beliefs, and actions that cause pain—to us, our friends, family, neighbours, and school mates. What if you’ve caused that kind of pain yourself? Or what if you, or someone you know, has been the victim of hate so scary it made you want to cry? Real kids from real classrooms share their stories here to help us to see the bias, prejudice, violence, discrimination, and exclusion around us—what hate looks like to them. Why? So we can stand against hate and never be the cause of it. And to show us how to cope and get support if we have been hurt. By sharing our stories, we all become stronger. Our schools, neighbourhoods, and communities become safer and more kind, and hate doesn’t win.

Date Published:2023

Class act

Craft, Jerry


"Companion to the Newberry Medal Winner New Kid"--Cover. [An audio version of the graphic novel 'Class Act,. Drew Ellis deals with racism among his friends and classmates at Riverdale Academy Day School.
Date Published:2020

When things aren't going right, go left

Colagiovanni, Marc,


"Told through creative language play, and with depth and whimsy, this picture book reminds readers of their own agency and the power they have to direct their own path. Marc Colagiovanni's lyrical text and Peter H. Reynolds's stunning art create an enduring message of strength and perseverance that is both universal and personal, and one that readers will be drawn to over and over again. This first of two new picture books created in collaboration with Marc and Peter will inspire, affirm, and reassure readers at key milestone moments in every young reader's life. When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left makes an inspiring graduation gift as well as a must-have, uplifting read sure to bring positivity to all who read it and remind us that even when nothing is going right... we can always choose to go left."--Publisher marketing
Date Published:2023

"Told through creative language play, and with depth and whimsy, this picture book reminds readers of their own agency and the power they have to direct their own path. Marc Colagiovanni's lyrical text and Peter H. Reynolds's stunning art create an enduring message of strength and perseverance that is both universal and personal, and one that readers will be drawn to over and over again. This first of two new picture books created in collaboration with Marc and Peter will inspire, affirm, and reassure readers at key milestone moments in every young reader's life. When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left makes an inspiring graduation gift as well as a must-have, uplifting read sure to bring positivity to all who read it and remind us that even when nothing is going right... we can always choose to go left."--Publisher marketing

Date Published:2023

Who I am : words I tell myself

Verde, Susan,


This empowering collection of positive affirmations shows kids how to silence the unkind voice in their minds and find the uplifting voice instead that will tell them words that are positive, supportive and true.
Date Published:2023

I am me : a book of authenticity

Verde, Susan,


Sometimes we hide who we really are to conform to the way we think we are supposed to be in the world. Sometimes we compare ourselves to others and feel we don't fit in. But when we realize we are something to be celebrated, and we proudly live out loud as our true selves, we can make our unique mark on the world--and share our joy!
Date Published:2022

I color myself different

Kaepernick, Colin, 1987-


This joyful celebration of black and brown lives is based on real events in the famous athlete and activist's young life and reveals the power of radical self-love and knowing your self-worth.
Date Published:2022

Be a good ancestor

Prince, Gabrielle,


"Rooted in Indigenous teachings, this stunning picture book encourages readers of all ages to consider the ways in which they live in connection to the world around them and to think deeply about their behaviors. Addressing environmental issues, animal welfare, self-esteem and self-respect, and the importance of community, the authors deliver a poignant and universal message in an accessible way: Be a good ancestor to the world around you. Thought-provoking stanzas offer a call to action for each one of us to consider how we affect future generations. Every decision we make ripples out, and we can affect the world around us by thinking deeply about those decisions."
Date Published:2022

"Rooted in Indigenous teachings, this stunning picture book encourages readers of all ages to consider the ways in which they live in connection to the world around them and to think deeply about their behaviors. Addressing environmental issues, animal welfare, self-esteem and self-respect, and the importance of community, the authors deliver a poignant and universal message in an accessible way: Be a good ancestor to the world around you. Thought-provoking stanzas offer a call to action for each one of us to consider how we affect future generations. Every decision we make ripples out, and we can affect the world around us by thinking deeply about those decisions."

Date Published:2022

Smile so big

Tenasco, Sunshine,


Challa looked into the mirror and saw a brown girl with long hair, a big toothy smile, big brown eyes and the cutest little dimples that looked like raisins on bannock. When Challa comes home in tears after being teased about her smile, her mom greets her with a giant squish hug and gives her a special gift. It’s a magic mirror, shiny, beaded and beautiful, passed on from her mom, and from her djo djo before her. Challa’s mom tells her that when anyone looks into the mirror, they will see their true self. There’s just one rule: Everyone has to say what they see in the reflection. At first the mirror seems to work for everyone but her. Neebin looks into the mirror and sees a boy with long, shiny braided hair and perfectly small sparkling eyes that look like stars in the sky. Keggy looks into the mirror and sees a brown girl with sharp cheekbones, a perfectly pretty nose, and stunning black hair that looks like waves in the ocean. Kiniw sees a boy with long curly eyelashes, a perfect-sized body that gives the best hugs, and rosy cheeks that look like ripe strawberries. Challa keeps looking and looking. The more beauty she sees in herself, the happier she feels. And the longer she looks into the mirror, the more beauty she sees, until finally Challa sees so much beauty, she can't contain her smile! And that’s the smile that lights up the room and the whole world beyond. And Challa sees that the magic lies in love!
Date Published:2023

Challa looked into the mirror and saw a brown girl with long hair, a big toothy smile, big brown eyes and the cutest little dimples that looked like raisins on bannock. When Challa comes home in tears after being teased about her smile, her mom greets her with a giant squish hug and gives her a special gift. It’s a magic mirror, shiny, beaded and beautiful, passed on from her mom, and from her djo djo before her. Challa’s mom tells her that when anyone looks into the mirror, they will see their true self. There’s just one rule: Everyone has to say what they see in the reflection. At first the mirror seems to work for everyone but her. Neebin looks into the mirror and sees a boy with long, shiny braided hair and perfectly small sparkling eyes that look like stars in the sky. Keggy looks into the mirror and sees a brown girl with sharp cheekbones, a perfectly pretty nose, and stunning black hair that looks like waves in the ocean. Kiniw sees a boy with long curly eyelashes, a perfect-sized body that gives the best hugs, and rosy cheeks that look like ripe strawberries. Challa keeps looking and looking. The more beauty she sees in herself, the happier she feels. And the longer she looks into the mirror, the more beauty she sees, until finally Challa sees so much beauty, she can't contain her smile! And that’s the smile that lights up the room and the whole world beyond. And Challa sees that the magic lies in love!

Date Published:2023

The kindest red : a story of hijab and friendship

Muhammad, Ibtihaj, 1985-


Sisters Faizah and Asiyah learn how to spread kindness on school picture day.
Date Published:2023

Otter doesn't know : featuring Thuqi' and Tumus

Fritz, Andrea,


In this picture book featuring Coast Salish art and traditional storytelling techniques, a salmon and an otter learn to help each other even though they don't have all the answers. Some hul'q'umi'num' words throughout text (not a dual-language book).
Date Published:2023

Five bears

Rayner, Catherine,


Bear is walking through the forest, minding his own business when he comes across another bear. The Other bear is different. The two bears wander along, thinking different thoughts, and looking in different directions. Soon the two bears come across another bear and then another bear and eventually find a bear stuck in a tree. The bears realize that perhaps they aren't that different after all and perhaps they could be friends?
Date Published:2023

Bear is walking through the forest, minding his own business when he comes across another bear. The Other bear is different. The two bears wander along, thinking different thoughts, and looking in different directions. Soon the two bears come across another bear and then another bear and eventually find a bear stuck in a tree. The bears realize that perhaps they aren't that different after all and perhaps they could be friends?

Date Published:2023