In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, our friends at IBBY Canada have released the fourth edition of From Sea to Sea to Sea: Celebrating Edition Picture Books.
The catalogue features the 25 best Indigenous picture books published on Turtle Island between 2022 and 2024, as selected by a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous librarians, authors, and educators.
“We are pleased to feature 25 new Indigenous picture books, created by brilliant Indigenous creators, in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day—so that everyone can honour the wisdom, beauty, and culture of Indigenous peoples and communities from sea to sea to sea," says Colette Poitras of the Métis Nation of Alberta, and 1st Vice-President of IBBY Canada and Chair of From Sea to Sea to Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books.
From Sea to Sea to Sea was initiated in 2016 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action 12, 13, and 63 and is in keeping with IBBY’s mission to support the right of every child to become a reader through access to high-quality books.
The first edition of the catalogue, launched in 2018, featured 100 Indigenous picture books published between 1993 and 2018. The second and third editions, launched in 2021 and 2023 respectively, added 25 new books each.
All four editions are available to download from the IBBY Canada website.
IBBY Canada also announced a new “Celebrating Young Indigenous Voices: From Sea to Sea to Sea” writing contest for Indigenous youth. The contest will launch in fall 2025, with the support of the IBBY Yamada Fund. Indigenous youth ages 8-12 will be invited to works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
Indigenous writer-editors Nancy Cooper (Chippewas of Rama First Nation) and David A. Robertson (Norway House First Nation) will select the winner. The shortlisted stories and essays will be published in an anthology. The winner will be invited to attend the “Celebration of Indigenous Voices” dinner at the Canadian Museum of History during the 40th IBBY World Congress in Ottawa in August 2026
For more information about From Sea to Sea to Sea or the writing contest, please contact:
Emma Hunter
Promotions Officer
IBBY Canada
promotions@ibby-canada.org