Bird Brain

Even though Arden always wanted a pet, taking care of her uncle's parrot, Ludwig, was NOT what she had in mind. But as Arden gets to know Ludwig, she realizes he is not only incredibly smart but loyal—and the best pet she could have asked for.

Call Me Al

In this middle-grade novel, eighth-grade student Ali Khan finds that writing poetry—first about his crush, then about what it means to be an immigrant and the anti-Muslim racism around him—helps him discover who he truly is.

Walls

Illustrated By: Arden Taylor

Part of the nonfiction Orca Timeline series, with photographs and illustrations throughout, this book explores why and how people have built walls all over the world throughout the course of human history.

kekwan etakwak mîkisîhk?/ What’s in a Bead?

Illustrated By: Tessa Pizzale
Translated by: Duane Linklater,

Tessa loves how her grandmother always smells of campfire stories. Mom says it’s because Kohkom spends her days sewing beautiful beads onto smoked hides. Inspired, Tessa asks Kohkom to teach her beading, but first she must listen and learn the many stories held in a bead. Dual language edition in Ininîmowin (Cree N-dialect) and English.

What's in a Bead?

Illustrated By: Tessa Pizzale

Tessa loves how her grandmother always smells of campfire stories. Mom says it’s because Kohkom spends her days sewing beautiful beads onto smoked hides. Inspired, Tessa asks Kohkom to teach her beading, but first she must listen and learn about the many stories held in a bead.

The Case of the Pilfered Pin

Windy Lake First Nation has long been shared with cottagers, but now everyone’s arguing over who really owns the land. When the Mighty Muskrats learn that a stolen surveyor’s pin could solve the conflict, the four cousins make it their mission to find it and prove that the land belongs to their people!

Reg Goes Swimming

Illustrated By: Emma Martin

A story with a message around feelings, including simple strategies to teach self regulation. The bear, Reg, moves from being emotionally dysregulated through thoughtful self-regulation to a state of calm. The three self-regulation techniques used to regulate emotions are: positive self-talk, belly breathing, and reframing.

Charlie's Balloons

Illustrated By: Élodie Duhameau
Translated by: Arielle Aaronson

Hi! I’m Charlie.
In my mind and in my body, all my emotions fight to take up as much space as they can.
I like to picture my feelings as balloons. Sometimes they’re so light they float away.
Other times, they’re so heavy it’s like they’re filled with water...
For highly sensitive kids who feel BIG feelings!

Khadija and the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

Illustrated By: Natalya Tariq

Khadija is inspired by her visit to the science fair. But how come none of the scientists are wearing a hijab, she wonders? Khadija recreates an experiment at home with mixed (and messy!) results. Surrounded by family as they celebrate Eid, Khadija tries again, with great success. She declares, “When I grow up, I’m going to be a scientist!”

The River Run

Lakota teen Alfred Swallow, along with two of his best friends, are sent to a residential boarding school that has the policy, destroy the Indian, save the man. After enduring harsh treatment and punishment, the boys decide to escape and make a run to the river.

Lost Inside My Head

By: Vigg
Translated by: David Warriner

Vincent wishes he was like everyone else, but his ADHD makes his thoughts turn to chaos…until he learns he can be himself and focus his light on what he wants to see.

Pride and Persistence

The activists between these pages have stood up for the queer community, whether on their own behalf or in support of people they love. Some made a difference by confronting injustice; others dared to be fully themselves.

Naaahsa is an Artist!

Naaahsa says art is a language everyone understands. Sometimes we make art together. We draw, we bead, we sing. Sometimes Naaahsa tells stories in Blackfoot. I even get to go with her to see her art show at the National Gallery. Naaahsa is famous for her art, but I love her hugs best.

Obaasan's Boots

Lou and Charlotte don’t know much about their grandmother’s life. Their Obaasan invites them to spend time with her, sharing her experience as a Japanese Canadian during WWII and a painful story of their family's internment. The girls begin to understand how their identities have been shaped by racism, and that history is not only about the past.

Life Expectancy

When a class play and her legal studies homework help her connect the dots, Sophie St. John makes some startling revelations about her life: she was born with a serious disease, might be very rich, and has a reduced life expectancy. Amid fear and grief, she learns how love and meaning make any life incredibly precious.

Ghost Girl

Illustrated By: Alyssa Waterbury

In this partially illustrated early chapter book, ten-year-old nonbinary Sly works to solve riddles and locate the spell that can save them, their grandmother and a ghost girl from being stuck forever in an enchanted mirror.

Everyone is Welcome

Illustrated By: Christine Wei

A little girl hears that her grandma’s friend, Mrs. Lee, was pushed on her way to the Asian market. When she learns that Asian students at her brother’s school are afraid to walk to class, she realizes something very wrong is happening to her community. With her mom’s support and the help of friends, she does something kind for Mrs. Lee.

Shamus the Urban Rez Dog, P.I.

Jewellery is missing from the store where Mom works and she’s the main suspect. With Shamus’s help, the kids set out to catch the real thief, with surprising and hilarious results, including a false closet wall, a lucky bowling ball, and a vicious poodle named Hepzibah.