TD Grade One Book Giveaway 2023
This fall, Grade 1 children nation-wide will take home Chaiwala!, written by Priti Birla Maheshwari, illustrated by Ashley Barron and published by Owlkids Books. Translated into French by Benoit Laflamme, francophone Canadians and French immersion students across Canada will receive copies of the French translation, also entitled Chaiwala !
When their train stops at the station in Jaipur, a girl and her mother hurry to line up at the Chaiwala’s cart. They breathe in scents of ginger, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon sticks. Tea leaves rustle, sweet milk bubbles, and the steaming chai is poured back and forth until the cups are filled. A sensory celebration of family, food and culture.
Since 2000, in cooperation with ministries of education, school boards and library organizations across Canada—the CCBC has given every Grade 1 child a free Canadian children’s book.
The book is to be taken home by each child to keep and to read with their parent(s) or caregiver. This far-reaching annual book giveaway program is generously supported by TD Bank Group. The program is intended to encourage literacy and reading for young children and supports the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s mandate of bringing great Canadian books to Canadian children and to promote a love of reading and a passion for books.
If you have any questions regarding the 2023 program, please contact Meghan Howe at bookgiveaway@bookcentre.ca.
Read-aloud version of Chaiwala!
Activities
Videos
Meet author Priti Birla Maheshwari!
Meet illustrator Ashley Barron!
Craft demo with Ashley Barron and Priti Birla Maheshwari
Resources
It is part of the TD Grade One Book Giveaway's focus to feature characters of different ethnicities, cultures, genders, family structures and abilities. In selecting the 2023 TD Grade One Book Giveaway, our focus was on selecting a picture book by creators from the Asian community that speaks to Asian experiences in Canada. It is our hope that the selected title will enable young readers to see themselves portrayed with accuracy and depth while helping to foster empathy and understanding of others. We received a number of titles for consideration; Chaiwala! was ultimately selected as this year’s giveaway book. However, given the importance of inclusivity, we would like to share a booklist featuring characters from the Asian community.
Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes
Written by Mahak Jain
Illustrated by Anu Chouhan
Annick Press, 2022
Paro loves to dance Bharatanatyam with her mom and is excited to learn ballet. But what if she can’t dance like the other kids in her class? Ballerinas move like fairies, while Bharatanatyam dancers seem like queens. Paro can’t be both... can she? This picture book was inspired by the real-life collaboration between Bharatanatyam icon Rukmini Devi Arundale and ballerina Anna Pavlova.
David Jumps In
Written by Alan Woo
Illustrated by Katty Maury
Kids Can Press, 2020
It is David's first day at his brand-new school. At recess, he stands alone and watches the other children on the playground. Bundled inside David's pocket is a colourful string of rubber bands, knotted and ready for a game of elastic skip. But will anyone want to try that game? Will anyone want to play with him?
The Doll
Written by Nhung N. Tran-Davies
Illustrated by Ravy Puth
Second Story Press, 2021
A young girl and her family arrive at an airport in a new country. They are refugees who have travelled across the world to find safety. Strangers greet them, and one of them gifts the little girl with a doll. Decades later, she has the chance to pay this kindness forward. Inspired by the author's own experience.
Everyone is Welcome
Written by Phuong Truong
Illustrated by Christine Wei
Second Story Press, 2023
A little girl hears that her grandma’s friend, Mrs. Lee, was pushed on her way to the Asian market. Then she learns that Asian students at her brother’s school are afraid to walk to class, and she realizes something very wrong is happening to her community. How can life be so unfair? With her mom’s support and the help of her friends, she sets out to do something kind for Mrs. Lee.
Grandmother School
Written by Rina Singh
Illustrated by Ellen Rooney
Orca Book Publishers, 2020
Based on a true story from the village of Phangane, India, this picture book tells the story of a school just for grandmothers. Every morning, a young girl walks her grandmother to the Aajibaichi Shala, the grandmother’s school. The girl beams with pride as she drops her grandmother off with the other aajis to learn to read and write.
Grandmother's Visit
Written by Betty Quan
Illustrated by Carmen Mok
Groundwood Books, 2018
Grace’s Grandmother teaches her how to measure water for rice and tells stories about growing up in China. Grandmother walks Grace to school and back home each day. Until one day, Grandmother isn’t there to pick up Grace. Soon after, Grandmother’s room is empty. But even after her Grandmother is gone, there is a way for Grace to receive one final goodbye.
Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin
Written by Chieri Uegaki
Illustrated by Qin Leng
Kids Can Press, 2014
In this beautifully written picture book, Hana Hashimoto has signed up to play her violin at her school's talent show. The trouble is, she's a beginner, and she's had only three lessons. Her brothers insist she isn't good enough. But Hana practises every day and once it's her turn to perform she surprises everyone—even herself!
Kai's Tea Eggs
Written and illustrated by Karina Zhou
Arsenal Pulp Press, 2023
Multicultural Day is coming up at school, and Kai’s nervous about sharing her family’s Chinese food. She doesn’t like feeling different from everyone else. Upset, she runs off and meets Ming the dragon, who takes her on a magical journey to explore different parts of Chinese culture—like the delicious food! Kai learns to celebrate what makes her unique.
Maggie's Chopsticks
Written by Alan Woo
Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
Kids Can Press, 2012
Poor Maggie struggles to hold her chopsticks correctly, and it seems nearly everyone around the dinner table has something to say about the “right” way to do it! But when Father reminds her not to worry about everyone else, Maggie finally learns that her way to hold the chopsticks is unique and perfect for her.
Mooncakes
Written by Loretta Seto
Illustrated by Renné Benoit
Orca Book Publishers, 2013
In this lyrical and beautifully illustrated story, a young girl shares a special celebration of the Chinese Moon Festival with her parents. Mama and Baba tell her ancient tales about Chang-E, the woman who lives on the moon in the Jade Palace; Wu-Gang, the lazy woodcutter; and Jade Rabbit, who brings food to those on earth who need it.
My Day with Gong Gong
Written by Sennah Yee
Illustrated by Elaine Chen
Annick Press, 2020
May isn't having fun on her trip through Chinatown with her grandfather. Gong Gong doesn't speak much English, and May can't understand Chinese. She's hungry and bored with Gong Gong's errands. But just when May can’t take any more, Gong Gong surprises her with gifts that reveal he’s been paying attention all along.
My Name Is Saajin Singh
Written by Kuljinder Kaur Brar
Illustrated by Samrath Kaur
Annick Press, 2022
On his first day of school, the teacher mispronounces Saajin’s name, and he is not sure how—or if he should—correct her. He tries to live with the different version of his name, but it makes him unhappy. After talking with his parents, Saajin realizes the importance of reclaiming his name and embracing his identity.
Ojiichan's Gift
Written by Chieri Uegaki
Illustrated by Genevieve Simms
Kids Can Press, 2019
When Mayumi was born, her grandfather created a garden out of stones for her. Every summer, when Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan, they tend the garden, raking the gravel. But then one summer, everything changes. Ojiichan has gotten too old to care for his home and garden. Can Mayumi find a way to keep the memory of the garden alive?
Once Upon an Hour
Written by Ann Yu-Kyung Choi
Illustrated by Soyeon Kim
Orca Book Publishers, 2020
A young Korean child wants to know how to tell time. Her mother tells her a tale about a special group of animals and a compassionate mountain to help her daughter tell time using the traditional Korean practice of timekeeping in which the 12 animals of the zodiac are assigned to two-hour sections of the 24-hour clock.
Spork
Written by Kyo Maclear
Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Kids Can Press, 2017 © 2010
Spork is neither spoon nor fork but, rather, a bit of both. His parents think he's perfect just the way he is. Only, Spork doesn’t fit in with the other cutlery and he longs to find the place he belongs. Then one day a ‘messy thing’ arrives… Will Spork finally find his place at the table?
Suki's Kimono
Written by Chieri Uegaki
Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
Kids Can Press, 2005 © 2003
Suki’s favourite possession is her blue cotton kimono. A gift from her obachan, it holds special memories of her grandmother’s visit last summer. And Suki is going to wear it on her first day back to school—no matter what anyone says. Filled with gentle enthusiasm and a touch of whimsy, Suki’s Kimono is the joyful story of a little girl whose spirit leads her to march—and dance—to her own drumbeat.
Thao
Written and illustrated by Thao Lam
Owlkids Books
It’s not easy being Thao. Nobody can ever pronounce her name. She’s been called Thou, Tail, even Towel! But the teasing names—Tofu, Tiny, China Girl—are worse. Maybe it’s time to be someone else? But will her fresh new name live up to its promise? A story of identity, pride and mispronunciation inspired by the author’s own childhood.
Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White
Written by Saumiya Balasubramaniam
Illustrated by Eva Campbell
Groundwood Books, 2020
Ma misses the sun, warmth and colours of their faraway homeland. Yet, her daughter sees magic in everything—the clouds in the winter sky, the ‘firework’ display when she throws an armful of snow into the air, making snow angels, tasting snowflakes. And in the end, her joy is contagious. Home is where family is, after all.