New from the Canadian Children's Book Centre & Friends
January Book List: Rinkside Reads
Creator's Corner: Willie Poll
Illustrator's Studio: Marcus Cutler
Experts' Picks

 

News from the Canadian Children's Book Centre & Friends  

Calling all schools, libraries, and community organizations! The host application period is now open for Canadian Children’s Book Week. This national celebration of books, reading, and the magic of creating stories will take place from Sunday, April 27 to Saturday, May 3, 2025. Thirty-two authors, illustrators, and storytellers will be touring the country to present talks and workshops to kids and teens in schools, libraries, and community venues. Check out this page to see who is touring in your province/territory. The application deadline is Friday, January 31 at 11:59 p.m. your local time. Don’t delay and submit your application today!

The CCBC Virtual Silent Auction will take place from April 2-9, 2025. This event will feature items donated from across the country. Prizes will include kids' books, museum passes, art, handcrafted wares, tickets to performing arts events, and much more. We are currently looking to add more prizes to the auction and can issue tax receipts for items donated for the event. If you would like to donate an item for the auction, please contact Carol-Ann Hoyte, Events and Program Manager, at carol-ann@bookcentre.ca.  

 

 

The giveaway is on the way! Nearly 500,000 books are en route to Grade 1 readers. Special for this year’s TD Grade One Book Giveaway, we’ve created Activities and Resources that include tips for reading aloud, videos with Violet Shrink’s author and illustrator, word searches, and more! The resources are also available in French.

 

 

January Book List: Rinkside Reads

Trying to get a young hockey fan excited about reading? Sports stories offer thrills and excitement while also sharing important lessons about respect, teamwork, and perseverance. It’s a win-win!

Picture Books

The First Ones on the Ice

Written by Lana Button

Illustrated by Alex MacAskill

Nimbus Publishing, 2024

IL: Ages: 3-7 RL: Grades 2-3

 

On a quiet winter morning, before the sun has fully risen, a brother and sister set out with their skates. They spend the day on the icy pond behind their house—clearing the snow, skating with the crowd of neighbourhood kids, and cheering on the local hockey team, who play until the sun begins to set. Finally, under the moon and stars, the siblings once again have the ice to themselves.

Inspired by the author's childhood memories of growing up in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, this nostalgic and beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates community, family, and the joy of playing outside.

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The Game

Written by Henry Charles

Illustrated by Shoshannah Greene

Greystone Kids, 2025

IL: Ages: 4-8  RL: Grades 2-3

A beautifully illustrated reimagining of the origins of hockey from an Indigenous lens.

Killer Whale and Brown Bear are arguing: Brown Bear says he can beat Killer Whale at any challenge, yet Killer Whale disagrees. When Powerful Mena overhears their bickering, he comes up with a solution: a game on the ice, played with sticks, nets, and a star for a puck. But who will win and earn the trophy?

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I Am BIG

Written by Itah Sadu

Illustrated by Marley Berot

Second Story Press, 2023

IL: Ages: 6-8  RL: Grades 1-3

 

In the middle of the ice, a young Black hockey player finds joy in his talent and confidence in the cheers of his family, his coach, and the other players. Their support gives him the power to face down those who see him as a threat and to focus on the thrill of the game.

Young people of colour who have experienced racism on and off the ice will see themselves in these pages.

***

The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story

Written by Jocelyn Watkinson

Illustrated by  Marcus Cutler

Sleeping Bear Press, 2022

IL: Ages: 5-8  RL: Grades 2-3

The three pigs are just finishing up a hockey practice session when the Big Bad Wolf drops by and declares them Canadian bacon--and lunch. When north country bad boys Bear and Moose join the fray, the pigs invite the gang to settle their disputes The Canadian Way—with a rousing game of hockey. Will the big guys overtake the pigs with brute force? Or will the pigs skate circles around the lumbering baddies? One thing is certain, the trial is likely to end with a meal (poutine, please!). But will the piggies be on the menu?

Junior and Intermediate Fiction

Bea Mullins Takes a Shot

Written by Emily Deibert

Random House Books for Young Readers, 2025

IL: Ages: 8-12  RL: Grades 4-5

When a 7th grader is forced to join her school’s hockey team, she discovers unexpected friendships and a budding crush on the team captain. This fierce and heartfelt queer romance explores the courage to face your fears, even when your dreams are on thin ice.

A hilarious and heartfelt middle-grade contemporary about first crushes and fierce friendships from debut author Emily Deibert.

***

Elliot Jelly-Legs and the Bobblehead Miracle 

Written by Yolanda Ridge

Illustrated by Sydney Barnes

Orca Book Publishers, 2023

IL: Ages: 9-12  RL: Grades 4-5

 

Is a magical Carey Price bobblehead the key to Elliot's success on the ice?

Eleven-year-old Elliot loves hockey and finally convinces his parents to sign him up. There’s just one problem: he can barely skate. But he is determined. He practices every chance he gets and even takes extra lessons. He is still miles behind the rest of his teammates in terms of skills and speed, though. So when the goalie gets injured, Elliot surprises everyone by offering to take his place. He figures his “jelly-legs” won’t be quite so obvious in net. He is wrong. The first game is a complete disaster. In desperation, Elliot begs his Carey Price bobblehead for a win. Both thrilled and surprised when his wish is granted, Elliot makes more wishes. His team keeps winning. But is the magic real?

***

Eyes on the Ice

Written by Anna Rosner

Groundwood Books, 2024

IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 4-6

Ten-year-old Lukas and his brother Denys want nothing more than to play hockey, but it’s 1963, and they live in Czechoslovakia, where the secret police (the “Eye”) are constantly on the lookout for anyone committing crimes against the state — whether that be reading a magazine about the NHL or saying anything negative about the Communist regime.

Then the boys’ father is arrested. No one knows where he has been taken or when he might be coming home. Lukas and Denys soon realize they are being watched, too, and when the secret police promise them information about their father if they help throw a game against a visiting Soviet team, Lukas must make some difficult decisions that may endanger his family and his friends, as he faces some tough questions about what loyalty really means.

***

Game Face

Written by Shari Greene

Groundwood Books, 2023

IL: Ages: 9-12  RL: Grades 4-5

Thirteen-year-old Jonah is determined to prove that anxiety won’t stop him from succeeding as his hockey team’s goalie in this dynamic novel in verse.

What-ifs rattle around his brain at the worst times, like when he’s in the middle of a playoff game. What if he lets his teammates down? What if he can’t make it pro? And the biggest what-if of all, the one he keeps to himself — what if he’s like his dad, whose life is controlled by anxiety that has only gotten worse since Jonah’s mom died in a car crash?

***

The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage

(The Breakout Chronicles, Book 1)

Written by David A. Robertson

HighWater Press, 2024

IL: Ages: 9-12  RL: Grades 4-5

 

Everything is changing for 11-year-old Alex Robinson. After his father accepts a new job, Alex and his family move from their community to the city. For the first time in his life, he doesn’t fit in. His fellow students don’t understand Indigenous culture. Even a simple show of respect to his teacher gets him in trouble.

Things begin to look up after Alex tries out for a local hockey team. Playing for the Kodiaks, Alex proves himself as one of the best, but he becomes a target because he’s Indigenous. Can Alex trust his teammates and stand up to the jerks on other teams? Can he find a way to fit in and still be who he’s meant to be?

***

Nish: North and South

Written by Isabelle Picard

Translated by Kateri Aubin Dubois

Scholastic Canada Ltd, 2023

IL: Ages: 10-14  RL: Grades 5-6

The first book in Isabelle Picard’s bestselling coming-of-age series about Innu twins, Léon and Éloïse, who live in Matimekush, an Innu community in Northern Quebec.

While Léon spends all his free time playing hockey, and wondering how he can prove he has the talent to make it big in a place with no competition, Éloïse works on a school project that opens her mind to the history of her people — their victories and their battles lost. But when their father gets sick and needs treatment almost 1000 km from home, and someone from their village mysteriously disappears, the twins learn lessons about the fragility of humanity and the dangers of the land they call home.

Young Adult Fiction

Between the Pipes

Written by Albert McLeod, Elaine Mordoch and Sonya Ballantyne

Illustrated by Alice RL

HighWater Press, 2024

IL: Ages: 12-18  RL: Grades 7-8

Thirteen-year-old Chase’s life and identity should be simple. He’s the goalie for his hockey team, the Eagles. He’s a friend to Kevin and Jade. He's Kookum's youngest grandchild. He’s a boy. He should like girls.

But it’s not that simple. Chase doesn’t like girls the way that the other boys do. It’s scary being so different from his peers. Scarier still is the feeling that his teammates can tell who he is—and that they hate him for it. If he pretends hard enough, maybe he can hide the truth.

Real strength and change can’t come from a place of shame. Chase’s dreams are troubled by visions of a bear spirit, and the more he tries to hide, the more everything falls apart. With the help of an Elder and a Two-Spirit mentor, can Chase find the strength to be proud of who he is?

***

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy

Written and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

First Second, 2023

IL: Ages: 14-18 RL: Grades 9-10

A graphic novel romance about a hotheaded hockey player who asks for temper management lessons from the cool, calm boy in drama club.

It should have been a night of triumph for Alix’s hockey team. But her mean teammate Lindsay decided to start up with her usual rude comments and today Alix, who usually tries to control her anger, let it finally run free. Alix lashes out and before she knows it, her coach is dragging her off Lindsay, and the invitation to the Canada National Women’s U18 Team’s summer camp is on the line. She needs to learn how to control this anger, and she is sure Ezra, the popular and poised theater kid from her grade is the answer.

***

The Legend

Written by Jean Mills

Red Deer Press, 2021

IL: Ages: 12-16  RL: Grades 5-6

Griffin Tardiff is still suffering from a serious hockey injury at the start of a new year in a new school. But he's in luck. For his community credit, he'll be working with the sports guy at the local radio station, which could be the start of a career. He also meets Noah, a young kid from the neighbourhood who also likes hockey.

Unfortunately, his mentor at the radio station turns out to be less than reliable—and Noah has fears he needs Griffin to help him resolve. Add to this a self-absorbed girlfriend and life in Glenavon turns out to be more complicated than any guy needs.

Non-Fiction

Akim Aliu: Dreamer

Written by Akim Aliu and Greg Anderson Elysee

Illustrated by Karen De la Vega and Marcus Williams

Scholastic Inc., 2023

IL: Ages: 12-18  RL: Grades 7-8

 

Akim Aliu—also known as “Dreamer”—is a Ukrainian-Nigerian-Canadian professional hockey player whose career took him all around the world and who experienced systemic racism at every turn. Dreamer tells Akim’s incredible story, from being the only Black child in his Ukrainian community, to his family struggling to make ends meet while living in Toronto, to confronting the racist violence he often experienced both on and off the ice. This is a gut-wrenching and riveting graphic novel memoir that reminds us to never stop dreaming, and is sure to inspire young readers everywhere.

***

Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes from around the World

Written by Charlene Smith

Illustrated by Natalya Tariq

Orca Book Publishers, 2025

IL: Ages: 9-12  RL: Grades 4-5

 

Meet 13 inspiring hijabi athletes who are changing the rules. Many of these women were the first in their sport to compete while wearing the hijab. Some were up against cultural traditions that didn't allow girls to play sports. And some fought to have institutional anti-hijab rules changed so that they, and Muslim girls after them, would be able to compete. Discover the story of UAE hockey player Fatima Al Ali among many others. 

***

Good Morning, Sunshine! The Joey Moss Story 

Written by Lorna Shultz Nicholson

Illustrated by Alice Carter

Sleeping Bear Press, 2022

IL: Ages: 5-8  RL: Grades K-3

 

The inspiring true story of Joey Moss, a champion for all to have an opportunity to live a full, purposeful life. Joey Moss first became known to many Canadians because of his work with the NHL Edmonton Oilers hockey team.  Whether he was singing "Oh Canada" on a jumbotron screen at a hockey game, welcoming a new friend with a playful wrestling match, or dancing on a runway for a charity fashion show, Joey loved making people feel good. But his impact and influence started long before he joined the Oilers. Joey was born with Down syndrome at a time when many children like him were institutionalized. Instead, Joey lived at home, surrounded by his supportive family who was determined that he should receive the same opportunities as others.

***

The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey

(Orca Biography)

Written by Chad Soon & George Chiang

Illustrated by Amy Qi

Orca Book Publishers, 2024

IL: Ages: 9-12  RL: Grades 4-7

 

Larry Kwong became the first player of Asian descent in the NHL when he played one shift with the New York Rangers in 1948. Even though Larry's achievement happened more than 70 years ago, his contribution to hockey is only now being recognized. He broke hockey's color barrier and fought racism and discrimination at every step of his career. From his humble beginnings on the outdoor rinks in Vernon, British Columbia's Chinatown all the way to playing at Madison Square Garden and in the NHL, this inspiring hero has a timeless story for young readers.

***

Meet Willie O’Ree 

(Scholastic Canada Biography)

Written by Elizabeth MacLeod

Illustrated by Mike Deas

Scholastic Canada, 2020

IL: Ages: 6-10  RL: Grades 2-3

 

On January 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree made history as the first black player in the NHL when he suited up with the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens. O'Ree went on to play a total of 45 games with the Bruins, a remarkable achievement considering what he overcame to get there. This wonderful book is a celebration of his life from childhood to playing career, to his later work as an ambassador for NHL diversity, and to his eventual induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.

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Find these books at a local Canadian bookstore. 

 

Creator's Corner: Willie Poll

Willie Poll is a Métis author, activist, storyteller, and lifelong learner. Her picture books, such as Together We Drum, Our Hearts Beat as One and Minnow: The Girl Who Became Part Fish, have been celebrated for exploring powerful Indigenous themes and encouraging positive social change. She is from Sault Ste. Marie, ON and now resides in Prince Edward Island.

We had the pleasure of catching up with her and talking about her most recent picture book projects. 

Your stories encourage young readers to take pride in their identities and find strength in their cultures. How did you know you wanted to write for young people? 

I've spent the last 12 years working with young people and they’ve been the biggest inspirations to me. These youth are some of the most knowledgeable changemakers I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. They mean the world to me and I want to create works of art that they can see themselves in. 

I want to create stories that show the world these kids have more to them than resilience—they have love, they have power, they have brilliance, they have stories. Through connecting with Indigenous youth I am able to learn so much more about myself and my own Indigeneity. They helped me to be able to create things for my nieces and nephews to be proud of too.

Spending time with youth makes me so hopeful. I want to create books that support them as the next leaders, matriarchs, change makers, language speakers, knowledge keepers, and anything else that they dream to be.

Your most recent book, My Little Ogichidaa, is a lullaby inspired by Indigenous motherhood. How did you get the idea to write a lullaby? 

My little Ogichidaa means my little warrior in Anishinaabemowin. This story was special as it was born from a single moment. About four years ago I was listening to Raven Lacerte, co-founder of the Moose Hide Campaign, speak to an audience. She was pregnant with her second and had her toddler beside her. She was grounded in power and you could feel her energy grounding her little ones, too. It was a beautiful moment where an Indigenous woman was reclaiming traditional parenting. To me, it was also a huge power move for women everywhere who are constantly left out of spaces due to our society not respecting motherhood the way it should. It was an act of decolonization to see her in front of thousands, unapologetically with her little one at her side.

After watching her I wrote a poem, and it turned into My Little Ogichidaa. The story itself is a tribute to Indigenous parenthood; it intertwines our histories, our present, and our futures and within it, I’ve poured all of my hopes and dreams for our young ones.

Your upcoming book, Our Ancestors' Kitchen, celebrates the connection we share to our ancestors through food. Do you have a special memory tied to food?

I have SO many memories tied to food, and in the last 10 years, a lot of those memories are of traditional harvesting. I’ve been blessed to have lived with multiple First Nations and to have been invited to spend time with their communities on the land. I’ve learned histories and stories from across Turtle Island about food and food sovereignty—some happy stories and some heartbreaking ones.

I knew I wanted to create a book that talked about traditional food and incorporated some of those memories. My relationship with food has been complicated and I’ve spent a lot of my adult life learning to navigate that relationship with myself, while also working with many youth who struggle in similar ways. I wanted to move the narrative around food to show that the relationship with food isn’t as simple as eating—it is actually much more beautiful than simple biology, it is mnemonic, and it helps us to remember the stories of the land our food thrives on and of the people our food has sustained for generations.

For a lot of my life, I hated food and viewed it as the enemy, it was the thing I couldn’t control, and I saw it truly as my nemesis. But now I view food as such a beautiful gift that brings people together, teaches us, loves us, nourishes us, and sustains us. I wanted to create something that embodied that.

You’ve said that visiting with youth gives you hope for the future. Can you share more about what you've learned speaking and working with young people?

Oh gosh, I’m not sure I could sum it up. Working with youth hasn’t always been easy, it has challenged me in many ways. It has taught me patience, unconditional love, sacrifice, and community. It has been through working with young people that I have felt held in community in a way I never had before. They have become some of my biggest supporters and I am so grateful to have been on this journey.

Honestly, I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from them is how to believe in myself. Without their encouragement I wouldn’t have a single book out in the world, let alone four. Through the eyes of the youth in my life, I have learned that I am worthy of my dreams. It is because they believe in me that I can believe in myself, too.

Willie Poll will be touring as part of Canadian Children's Book Week 2025. Keep up to date with her latest books by following @willieandpugdolife on Instagram. 

 

Illustrator's Studio: Marcus Cutler

When Marcus Cutler was a kid he liked to practice drawing by copying superhero comics. People would ask him what he was going to do for a real job when he grew up. He told them that he hadn’t decided, but he would either be the third baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays or an astronaut. Well, he was absolutely terrible at baseball, and never quite learned how to pilot a space shuttle. He kept drawing though, and with all that practice he ended up being pretty good at it. So now he does that for a job!

We caught up with Marcus Cutler to ask him about his career journey, his trademark humour, and what he enjoys about visiting young readers in schools. 

You grew up with ambitions of being a comic book artist or animator. What drew you towards illustrating for children?

Well, when I was a kid all I knew was that I wanted to draw for a living—it’s what I’ve always been good at and loved. Everything I consumed at the time was cartoons and comics, so I don’t think I even realised you could get paid for drawing other things. When the time came, I applied to animation school but didn’t get in. Which I think is fortunate—I don’t have the patience for that kind of work, ditto for comic books!

I ended up working in-house designing gift bags, which meant drawing lots of snowmen and birthday cakes. That’s when I discovered that I was best suited to making art that’s cute and silly. Then, once I became a dad and started reading tons of kids' books—that’s when I really knew what I should be doing. I totally fell in love with them. I think the need for simplicity, and the dynamic between the art and the text can be magical. It’s actually not too dissimilar from comic books that way.

I think the best part of picture books is the interactions it generates between the child and the reader. There’s a performance aspect to it, which is really unique.

 

Your picture books, such as I Do Not Eat Children and upcoming The Crayon Stub, are rich with humour. Where does your sense of humour come from?

I’m so thankful that people find my books funny—it’s such a relief! My parents are English, and so I definitely inherited that dry sense of humour from them. Whenever I visit England, I always feel totally at home with the people there.

In general, I’ve always been a bit of a comedy nerd. I grew up loving the classics like Laurel & Hardy and Monty Python, and watched just about every sitcom that was on TV when I was a kid. It didn’t matter how good or bad it was, or even if it was acceptable kid-viewing. There’s a lot of Three’s Company jokes that thankfully went way over my head! And I’ve always liked watching stand-up comedy. Back in the day it was Caroline’s Comedy Hour, and now there are so many stand-up specials available on streaming, it’s really amazing! 

This past year, I was actually invited to give a talk at CANSCAIP’s Publishing Your Imagination conference on the theme of humour in kids' books. It was such a wonderful excuse to take a deep dive into jokes and comedy, and learn more about the techniques that make humour work.

Writing and drawing silly stuff just feels natural to me. It’s the earnest, emotional content that I feel I need to work on!

 

In collaboration with Inhabit Media, Indigenous educators, and storytellers, you've illustrated a number of traditional Inuit stories. What has been your experience bringing these age-old stores to the picture book form?

I find folk tales and legends so interesting—they’re otherworldly, but grounded at the same time. And they’re some of the most creative stories you’ll find, The Owl and Two Rabbits, The Walrus and The Caribou, and The Raven Boy, are some great examples of that. It’s an honour to be trusted with these stories, and I for sure feel a responsibility to get it right, while also hopefully bringing some of my own creativity to the books. 

Inhabit’s been really good at providing great reference photos which is so helpful, and I’ll do a lot of my own research as well. I’ve really come to appreciate what a special and unique place Northern Canada is. I’m positive that I don’t do it justice, but I’ve always been proud of the results.

You’ve called school visits one of the best parts of your job. What do you enjoy about meeting and teaching students?

I'm really looking forward to this spring when I'll be touring as part of the Canadian Children's Book Week. It's going to be such a great adventure! Writing and illustrating is pretty solitary work, and I spend so much of my time alone in the studio, so it’s always a treat getting to visit libraries and classrooms. Talking to, and reading to the students, and getting their reactions in real-time is invaluable, and a great creative boost!

And I think interacting with kids is important—and not just because I’m doing market research. It’s just really fun! Kids are a wonderful audience, so open and honest. Every visit is unique. I think everybody should be subjected to the delightful little weirdos on a regular basis—it’s good for your mental health.

It works out well for me too, because I get to get in and get out in a few hours—before the exhaustion hits. I admire how teachers can do it every single day, I think I would get overwhelmed. It’s kind of like being a grandparent, you get the fun of riling them up, and then let someone else handle the hyper mess afterwards!

But my real hope is to encourage them to follow their passions, and let them know that failure is always part of the process. My main message is always that if you love something, and stick with it, great things can happen.

Marcus Cutler will be touring as part of Canadian Children's Book Week 2025. Keep up to date with his latest projects by following @marcuscutlerillo on Instagram.