Previous Selections
2022: Fast Friends (Amis instantanés)
Written by Heather M. O'Connor, illustrated by Claudia Dávila and published by Scholastic Canada.
Tyson does everything fast ― so fast he often disrupts the class. His teacher is always saying, “Too fast, Tyson!” And often he ends up playing all alone. Suze, the new girl, is nonverbal with special needs. Sometimes her classmates don’t know what those needs are. But Tyson understands. Taking the time to interpret her cues, Tyson forms a special friendship with Suze, and teaches his classmates what it means to listen and understand others.
2021: Malaika’s Costume (Le costume de Malaika)
Written by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by Irene Luxbacher, and published by Groundwood Books.
Young Malaika gets ready to celebrate carnival in her hometown in the Caribbean, while her mother sets up their new life in Canada. Infused with bright colours and rich language, young readers will relate to Malaika’s vivid imagination and her determination to bring her dream carnival costume to reality.
2020: Moira’s Birthday (L’anniversaire)
Written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko, and published by Annick Press.
Moira is afraid her parents might get upset if they find out she invited the whole school to her birthday party… so she just doesn’t tell them. Before long, the house is a total disaster as Moira’s parents try to figure out how to get enough pizzas and birthday cake to feed everyone. Just leave it to Moira—she’ll figure it all out, and even get the house cleaned up in the process! A classic Munsch title that is less well-known than his other books, Moira’s Birthday will be a new, fun read for many children.
2019: My Heart Fills With Happiness/sâkaskinêw nitêh miywêyihtamowin ohci (J’ai le cœur rempli de bonheur)
Written by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Julie Flett, and published by Orca Book Publishers.
The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful book reminds readers young and old to cherish the moments in life that bring us joy.
2018: Giraffe and Bird (La girafe et l’oiseau)
Written and illustrated by Rebecca Bender, and published by Pajama Press.
Giraffe and Bird are an odd couple who can’t live with or without each other. When they’ve finally had all they can take, they part ways — but how will they weather the coming storm? Giraffe will have nowhere to hide from the lightning, and Bird will have no shelter from the thunder. This hilarious tale shows how two so-called enemies are really rather dependent upon each other.