Every month expert booksellers and librarians share their top picks for young readers. Check out what our experts are reading in February!
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The Eidi Bag
Written by Shazia Afzal
Illustrated by Shiva Deelsooz
Owlkids Books Inc, 2025
978-1-77147-542-6
IL: Ages 4-7 RL: Grades k-2
Sarah is excited to celebrate Eid Ul-Fitr in her new country. The little girl proudly shows off the small embroidered Eidi bag she made, anticipating adults filling it with coins, as they did in Pakistan, enabling her to buy gifts for others in return. But no one seems to pay much attention to her Eidi bag. Initially disappointed, she soon discovers her new community has its own special generous and thoughtful ways to honour the holiday.
Shiva Delsooz’s intricate and ebullient illustrations set a festive tone. In an author’s endnote, Afzal writes about her childhood Eid experiences. The Eidi Bag offers many gifts to readers, including a valuable story about adaptability and finding joy in new traditions.
Recommended by Linda Ludke, Collections Management Librarian, London Public Library
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The Time Keeper
Written by Meagan Mahoney
DCB Young Readers, 2024
978-1-77086-760-4
IL: Ages 9-13 RL: Grades 4-5
With his best friend Peter suffering from a mysterious illness, and Peter's father the recent victim of a murder, young Malcolm McKenzie finds himself trying to follow the clues presented by a special watch to find a miracle cure for Peter and hopefully determine the identity of Jack Alexander's killer. Dr. Fiona MacIsaac, the physician initially in charge of Peter's care, endeavours to help Malcolm but she has troubles of her own as she struggles to be accepted by the men who refuse to accept a female as their peer.
Set in Edinburgh in the early 1900s, this intriguing mystery deftly brings the setting and time period to life while providing young readers with an engrossing puzzle to be solved and a cast of winsome characters.
Recommended by Lisa Doucet, Manager, Woozles Children's Bookstore.
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