Did you know that Best Books for Kids & Teens and Canadian Children's Book News are the only publications in Canada that are solely dedicated to reviewing, recommending, and promoting Canadian children’s books, authors, illustrators and trends? But with time, comes change, and in 2025 the CCBC is making changes to the delivery of our publications.
Canadian Children's Book News
Published since 1977, Canadian Children's Book News reviews books, interviews authors and illustrators, includes annotated reading lists, informs and updates readers about issues affecting children’s education and reading, and provides information and news about the world of children’s books in Canada.
What is staying the same:
Canadian Children's Book News will continue to be the go-to resource for everyone with a stake in ensuring Canadian books for kids and teens are discoverable, read, and celebrated!
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All the excellent content will continue to be published.
- For instance, in 2024 alone, the magazine featured 372 book creators, 65 publishers, and 150 reviews
- An annual subscription to Canadian Children's Book News will continue to be included in CCBC membership. (Discover the benefits of membership and become a member today!)
What is changing:
Canadian Children's Book News will no longer be available in print.
- We will return to publishing four issues a year
- We will no longer accept individual and bulk subscriptions; instead, Canadian Children's Book News will be available exclusively to CCBC members or
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Individual digital issues can be purchased on our website
- $6.95 each for a new issue
- $4.95 each for back issues
- Individual print copies of back issues of 2023 and 2024 Book News and Best Books are available on our website for $4.95 each, plus shipping and applicable taxes.
Best Books for Kids & Teens
Best Books for Kids & Teens is the ultimate guide to the best new Canadian books and magazines for children and teens. Every title listed in this guide has been given our stamp of approval, ensuring you get only the highest quality literature.
What is staying the same:
Each year Best Books for Kids & Teens we will continue to feature over 400 titles, nearly 700 authors and illustrators and upwards of 150 publisher imprints so that the best of the best Canadian children’s books are discoverable. Expert reviewers will continue reading hundreds and hundreds of books to help you find just the right books for every kid and teen (and adults too).
What is changing:
Best Books for Kids & Teens will no longer be available in print.
- We will continue to publish new guides twice a year
- Moving forward, new editions of Best Books for Kids & Teens will no longer be included in memberships or for purchase online—this is because it will be moving to an online searchable database that will be free for all!!
- Individual print copies of back issues of 2023 and 2024 are available on our website for $4.95 each, plus shipping and applicable taxes.
- Audio music and videos will no longer be reviewed
FAQ
We know you will have lots of questions and we have tried to address some of these below. If you have additional questions, please reach out to the CCBC team at info@bookcentre.ca.
When will these changes take place?
Great question! Change is exciting, but it often comes with a few surprises. We are hoping to have everything in place by summer and we ask for your patience as we set up new systems and work through new processes. In the meantime, we may use an interim solution to get you Best Books for Kids & Teens and Canadian Children's Book News, but rest assured we will be on time with delivery, it just may look a little different.
Why these changes?
There are many reasons for these changes. In an increasingly tech-savvy and mobile society, to stay relevant, increase accessibility and readership, and be responsive to new market opportunities and demands, the CCBC knew the time was right to move to online delivery. By digitizing Best Books for Kids & Teens we can implement more streamlined workflows for our team. Finally, our publications need to be self-sustaining and not solely dependent on funding, this change will allow us to move in that direction.
I am not a member, what happens with my current subscription?
We are hoping you will purchase a membership to CCBC, that way your access to Canadian Children's Book News remains in place. We are happy to work through this process with you and ensure that your existing subscription fee is applied to your membership. Being a member offers many benefits and supports the CCBC’s work.
I am a subscriber, but not ready to be a member yet. What happens with my current subscription?
We will ensure your subscription for the current year is honoured. A member of our team will be reaching out.
Why are you making Best Books for Kids & Teens free?
The CCBC wants to ensure that everyone has access to our recommendations and are able to discover excellent Canadian children’s books. By moving this content online and making it free, we are ensuring that all teachers, librarians, parents, caregivers, and book fans in Canada—and around the world—can explore the diverse stories available from Canadian creators and publishers.
Why will Best Books for Kids & Teens no longer be reviewing audio and video content?
There is no longer the demand for these items to be reviewed.
Is advertising still available in Best Books for Kids & Teens and Canadian Children's Book News?
Yes—and your reach will be even greater! Canadian Children's Book News will have ads available just as before, but online, which allows for live links. We intend to have ads available within the Best Books for Kids & Teens online environment and are finalizing details.