2018 - Tammy’s & Paula’s Annual Gift Book Bonanza
It’s that time of year again, Folks. Paula and I have compiled a list of recommendations to make book buying a breeze, this holiday season. So, whether you’re looking for winter wonderland tales, festive fantasies, rabble rousing reads, mirthful myths, nasty narratives or creative crafts we’ve got something for everyone.
Just like the list from past years, all the books have been linked to the Chapters/Indigo bookstore website. After spending a few hours (6 Tammy - it was six hours) pursuing their shelves with a holiday-themed drink in hand, we came up with this list of books which we know you can purchase. With the recent postal service disruptions, there’s no guarantee that ordering online will get your selections to you in a timely manner. It’s back to the way things use to be for our forefathers and foremothers (would that be forepersons? Hmm….) where you have to go to the store and deal with packs of panicked, frazzled folks looking to buy something for hard-to-buy Uncle Harold. Let the good times roll!!
Tis’ the season, after all.
The list will be released over three days. Up first, are books for the youngest readers with a fantastic selection of picture books to peruse. The second part of the list will be for ages 9 to 12 with books for teenagers coming last including novels and nonfiction books.
So, without further ado…
(Psst - keep scrolling down if you want to see recommendations for ages 5 to 8.)
DAY 3
Books that have a little levity, I think make the best gifts especially if you're not sure about the tastes and interests of the reader you're buying for. The select titles in the list below all look to be humorous or at least witty. That should earn you a few brownie points for effort, right?
Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones
*Novel *First in series *Fantasy *Epic *Romance
*Novel *Indigenous *Futuristic *Canadian *Award winner *Genetics
Not everyone like short narratives but if you have an aspiring writer or a struggling reader this format can be inspirational in the stories themselves or inspire confidence for writers and readers.
Reality Reads for the Realist – Nonfiction for high school and beyond
Alone Against the North by Adam Shoalts
Dreaming Out Loud by Baby Ariel
Although we have only one book in this category, we don’t want to miss it. For the special budding artist a mixed media collection of journal pages will be a book they will spend quite of a bit of time with over the holidays. Each journal page may spark a burst of creativity or a wonderful stash of ideas for upcoming projects.
DAY 2
*Novel *Great cover art *Orphans *Twins *Orphan twins *Magic *Shape shifting
Stuck in the Stone Age (Story Pirates) by Geoff Rodkey
Dear Sister by Alison McGhee
*Gr. 3-5 *Novel *Humour *Predators (misunderstood, of course) *Dinosaurs *Time travel
The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy’s Big Day: a graphic novel by Gale Galligan
Code Girls: the true story of the American women who secretly broke codes in World War II by Liza Mundy (Young Readers Edition)
These books will appeal to everyone even the non-readers you might know. National Geographic and Dorling Kindersley excel at producing books with amazing photos with intriguing bits of information in attractive layouts.
Animal Encyclopedia by National Geographic
*Gr.1-9 *Nonfiction *Science *Animals *Amazing photos *Browser
How Things Work Then and Now by Nat Geo Kids
*Gr.3 to 7 *Nonfiction *Browser
Record Breakers!: More than 500 Fantastic Feats: Fastest, Biggest, Strongest by DK
*Nonfiction *Trivia *Human world *Natural world
Ultimate Dino-pedia by Nat Geo Kids
*Nonfiction *Dinosaurs *Browser *High interest
Ultimate Secrets Revealed by Nat Geo Kids
*Gr. 3-7 *Nonfiction *Browser
The Ultimate Treasury of Horses by DK
*Nonfiction *Horses/animals *Beautiful photos
Weird by True! Gross by Nat Geo Kids
*Gr.2-6 *Nonfiction *Browser *All things yuck
Weird by True! 10: 350 Outrageous Facts by Nat Geo Kids
*Gr.2-6 *Nonfiction *Browser *Wide ranging trivia
Write Your Own Book by DK
*Gr.3-7 *Writing *Activity book *Autobiography
Keeping Busy - Activity Books
Build Your Own Chain Reaction Machines by Paul Long
*Nonfiction *Makers *Simple machines
Curious Jane by Curious Jane
*Nonfiction *Arts and crafts *Science experiments *
Marvelous Makeable Monsters by Sam Haynor
*Gr.2-7 *Nonfiction *Arts and crafts *Making
Science Ideas : Inventions in 30 Seconds
*Makers *Browser
Coding is the New Black
Coding Projects in Scratch by Jon Woodcock
*Makers *Coding
An Encyclopedia for Strategy for Fortniters: an Unofficial Guide for Battle Royale by Jason R. Rich
*Gaming *Fortnite *Clues and strategies
Girls Who Code: Crack the Code by Sarah Hutt
*Makers *Coding *Activity book
DAY 1
(Psst - keep scrolling down if you want to see recommendations for ages 5 to 8.)
DAY 3
Adulting Audits, Albums and Aspirations
Here we are on Day 3 of this lengthy list of great reads. Today, we feature books for those young adults in your house who are in high school or on the cusp of adulting, a new term meaning taking on the responsibilities of an adult, a metaphorical testing of the waters. Cookbooks (a main survival skill), adventures, real and imagined, hockey stories, social media influencers and celebrities make up this diverse and long list of suggestions. We are sure you will find something for your teen. And as we wind up the 2018 list, let us also wish you and yours a wonderfully peaceful holiday season that includes a little time for some reading of your own.
Funny side of life…
Books that have a little levity, I think make the best gifts especially if you're not sure about the tastes and interests of the reader you're buying for. The select titles in the list below all look to be humorous or at least witty. That should earn you a few brownie points for effort, right?
*Nonfiction * Internet celebrity *Trivia *Personal musings *Humour
The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle
*Novel *Contemporary *LGBTQ *Humour
I See London, I See France by Sarah Mlynowski
*Novel *Contemporary *Travel *Friendship *Romance
Pride: a Pride and Prejudice Remix by Ibi Zoboi
*Novel *Contemporary *Humour *Romance
Keepin’ it Real…
These are all contemporary stories reflecting young folks struggling to figure out who they are and how they fit into their world.
Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones
*Novel *Indigenous characters *Identity *LGBTQ *Grief
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
*Novel *Contemporary *Urban Black cultre *Amazing story! *Interesting storytelling!! *Ghosts
What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera
*Novel *LGBTQ *Romance *New York *Contemporary *Witty
Looking Back
We only have three books for this category and they all feature female protagonists. I though, "Hmm. What did we miss?" and went looking to see about books for guys. Not a lot of new titles out there, folks. I even found a blog which said the same thing. Let's hope next year there's a better crop of historical novels for this age group.
Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
*Novel *Historical *World War II
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee
*Novel *Sequel *Historical *Gender issues
Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy
*Novel * Classic *Canadian *Dreams *Independence
In a Land Far, Far Away…
Whether the reader you're shopping for is into fantasies feature mages, magic and epic battles or futuristic distopias or alternate realities you will find something here. The book jacket cover art for some of these books are very eye-catching and will make great gifts.
The Black Witch by Laurie Forest
*Novel *Fantasy *Magic *Independence
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
*Novel *Fantasy *Magic *Rebellion *World building *Great book jacket
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
*Novel *Fantasy *Stand alone in series *Character development
Furyborn (the Empirium Trilogy, bk. 1) by Claire Legrand
*Novel *First in series *Fantasy *Epic *Romance
Impostors by Scott Westerfeld
*Novel *Futuristic *In series, Uglies *Power plays
Kingdom of Ash (A Throne of Glass novel) by Sarah J. Maas
*Novel *Fantasy *Cool cover *Final in series *Female heroine
Legendary by Stephanie Garber
*Novel *Series *Fantasy *Magic *Game playing
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
*Novel *Indigenous *Futuristic *Canadian *Award winner *Genetics
On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
*Graphic novel *Space travel *Love story
Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce
*Novel *Fantasy *Mages *Backstory to series *Relationships
A Winter’s Promise (The Mirror Visistor, bk. 1) by Christells Dabos
*Novel * Fantasy *First in quartet *Great cover
Short and Snappy
Not everyone like short narratives but if you have an aspiring writer or a struggling reader this format can be inspirational in the stories themselves or inspire confidence for writers and readers.
*High school/adult crossover *Graphic novel/comics *Adulting *Memoir *Some humour
Hope Nation: YA Authors Share Personal Moments of Inspiration edited by Rose Brock
*High school *Short stories *Writers
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
*High school *Mythology *Vikings
Tales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan
*Gr. 7 and up *Illustrated poems *Natural world *Interconnectedness *Interesting illustrations *Heavy on the quirky
Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens edited by Marieke Nijkamp
*High school *Short stories
Not everyone curls up with a novel over the holidays. Sometimes reality is the way to go for some readers. Adventures, History, Celebrity Biographies and Social Media Influencers are on this list of read reads.
Alone Against the North by Adam Shoalts
*High school *True Story *Nature *Adventure * Canada
Hindsight and All the Things I Can See in Front of Me by Justin Timberlake
*High School *Fanbook *Coffee Table
The Never-Ending Present: the story of Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip by Michael Bareclay
*High school/adult *Nonfiction *Biography *Music *Canada
Prince – A private view by Afshin Shahidi
*High school *Fanbook
The Science of Why, vol. 3: answers to questions about science, myths, mysteries and marvels by Jay Ingram
*High school/adult crossover *Nonfiction *Science *Natural world
Tall Tales, Long Lenses: my adventures in photography by John E. Marriott
*High school/adult cross-over *Nonfiction *Photography *Canadian wilderness
Books with Buzz… Movie and TV Tie-ins and Social Media
We often find that readers will chase up books that connect with movies, TV shows or social media celebrities they’ve connected to and their interest has been twigged. The following selection really does have a little something for everyone from historical romance, contemporary, gritty urban situations, steampunk fantasies, internet celebrities coaching the rest of us on fashion, Instagram and life in general. We’ve included middle grade and high school level books in this category plus a couple that are adult crossovers.
Dreaming Out Loud by Baby Ariel
*High school *Nonfiction *Real life (sort of) *Web celebrity *Memoir’ish
The Guernesy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
*High school *Novel *Movie tie-in *Historical *Letters *Post World War II *Community *Romance
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
*High school *Novel *Movie tie-in *Black urban culture *Racism *Activism
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
*Middle grades *Novel *Movie tie-in *Movie isn’t based on books *English nanny *Magic
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
*Middle grades *Novel *Movie tie-in *Sequels are: Predator’s Gold, Infernal Devices, and Darkling Plain *Steampunk *Fantasy
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
*Middle grades *Nonfiction *Autobiography *Family *Animals *TV tie-in
Riverdale: Student Handbook: What You Really Need to Know by Jenne Simmon
*High school *TV tie-in *Fan book *Archie comics
Styling for Instagram by Leela Cyd
*High school *Nonfiction *Social media *Photography
This is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today by Chrissy Metz
*High school/adult crossover *TV tie-in *Nonfiction *Memoir *Actress
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
*High School *Novel *Movie-tie *Contemporary *Adolescence * Romance *First in series
World of Style by Aimee Song
*High school *Nonfiction *Fashion *Photo book
Creative Cooks – Cookbooks for every age
Do you know an aspiring cook or someone in your house who needs to move out and cook for themselves? Here are four cookbooks we found to have a variety of skill levels and good results for all to enjoy.
Cook with Amber: fun, fresh recipes to get you in the kitchen by Amber Kelley
*Middle grades *Nonfiction *Cookbooks *Teen chef *YouTube channel
Cooking Step by Step by DK
*Gr. 1-6 *Nonfiction *Food/cooking *Very basic recipes
*Gr. 4-8 *Nonfiction *Food/cooking *Pretty easy recipes
*High School *Nonfiction *Food/cooking *Puns *Humour *Great cover art
Artsy Albums - A book for the artist in your world
Although we have only one book in this category, we don’t want to miss it. For the special budding artist a mixed media collection of journal pages will be a book they will spend quite of a bit of time with over the holidays. Each journal page may spark a burst of creativity or a wonderful stash of ideas for upcoming projects.
The World of Artist Journal Pages curated by Dawn Devries Sokol
*High School *Middle School *Mixed media journaling *Artists
DAY 2
Marvelous Middle School Missives (Okay, longer than a missive but less than a tome.)
It’s day 2 and we’ve compiled this eclectic, epic list of rollicking adventures, fantastic fantasies, and fine family fare that will cover the array of emotions that tweens experience like playing the scale on a piano. Everyone needs a little downtime during the holidays so encourage a sip of hot chocolate, a cozy chair and a great read for some escape from the everyday drama.
Rip-Roaring Adventures
There’s nothing like an adventure to expand one’s horizons. The following selection will certainly do that. Think Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Dr. Who and Twenty-Leagues Under the Sea and you’ll get the idea.
The Explorer by Katherine Rundell
*Novel *Adventure *Amazon jungle * Survival story *Mystery
Race to the Bottom of the Sea by Lindsay Eager
*Novel *Orphans *Adventures *Girl inventor *Pirates *Humour
The Train to Impossible Places by P.G. Bell
*Novel *Magical adventures *Fantasy *Travel
Voyage of the Dogs by Greg Van Eekhout
*Novel *Dogs *Space adventure *Humour *Action
Fabulous Fantasy – The Fast and the Furious
There is a huge number of fantasy choices out there and a lot of them look really good. Paula and I had to work to narrow down this selection so it wasn’t just a list of a hundred fantasy novels for middle grade.
Beast of Stone (Wing and Claw series) by Linda Sue Park
*Novel *Series *Animals *Healer
City of Islands by Kali Wallace
*Novel *Orphan *Strong world building *Undersea adventures
The Ice Dragon by George R.R. Martin, illustrated by Luis Royd
*Novel * Dragons *Girl protagonist *War *Original fairy tale
Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman
*Novel *Great cover art *Orphans *Twins *Orphan twins *Magic *Shape shifting
Inkling by Kenneth Oppel
*Novel *Identity *Art *Canadian author
Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
*Novel *Sequel *Fairy tale
Scrap City by D.S. Thornton
*Novel *Makers *Robots
Stuck in the Stone Age (Story Pirates) by Geoff Rodkey
*Gr.3-7 *Novel *Story writing manual *Adventure *Time travel *Humour
The Trials of Apollo: the Burning Maze by Rick Riodan
*Novel *Greek gods *Immortal made mortal *New York *Series
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown
*Gr.3-6 *Novel *Sequel *Robot *Identity
Dining Room Drama for the Almost Teen
Spending time in a family with pre-teens or just teens during the holidays is fun (and sometimes either silent or very noisy). You can experience every mood and emotion and that’s just before breakfast so a fun, family book may make your young person feel they are not alone at this time in their lives. Angst is everywhere.
Dear Sister by Alison McGhee
*Novel *Sibling Rivalry *Family drama *Humour
*Novels *Series but each can stand alone *Running *Friendship *Family
Midnight in the Piazza by Tiffany Parks
*Novel *Mystery *Rome *Family
Very Rich by Polly Horvath
*Novel *Odd families *Rich people *Poor people
You had to be there! – Funny stories for your teen-ish kid
Middle school kids seem to have their own language. Parents often get a laugh when they use a cool word in an “uncool” way. One way into this teen-ish world is through a good story. Here are a few with some humour included in the price.
The Bad Guys in Do-You-Think-He-Saurus? By Aaron Blabey
*Gr. 3-5 *Novel *Humour *Predators (misunderstood, of course) *Dinosaurs *Time travel
Ozy and Millie by Dana Simpson
*Novel *Funny *Animal story
Silent (but deadly) Night (Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo
*Novel *Boy appeal *Humour
Two Dogs in a Trench Coat go to School by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Colin Jack
*Gr. 2-6 *Novel *Humour *Dogs *School story *First in series
Lost in the Past – Historical Reads for the Middle Grades
As is sometimes the way, at this time of year, we wish to visit what we think of as a “simpler” time. By reading historical fiction, we are transported, as if by time machine, to sometime in the past to enjoy an armchair experience.
The Fire Stallion by Stacy Gregg
*Middle grade *Horse book *Girl main character
Flamingo Boy by Michael Morpurgo
*War time *Animal Story *Middle School
The Ghost Road by Charis Cotter
*Middle grades *Novel *Newfoundland *Family curse and secrets
The Night Garden by Polly Horvath
*Middle grades *Novel *Historical *Canada *World War II *Magic
A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words. So, What’s a Graphic Novel Worth?
Looking for an engaging read for your not-so-engaged reader? Graphic novels aimed at the middle schooler may be just the answer you are looking for. Some are colourful and action packed and these ones have great story lines. All are part of series that may just jumpstart your middle school student to read every book.
The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy’s Big Day: a graphic novel by Gale Galligan
*Gr. 3-4 *Graphic novel *Series *Family *Friends
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
*Graphic novel *Mythology
Supernova (Amulet: book 8) by Kazu Kibuishi
*Graphic novels *Sequel/series *Fantasy/adventure
Rational Reads for the Realist – Nonfiction for the middle grader
I know, I know – the reader in your house doesn’t like dragons or rockets or dystopian worlds but sinks their teeth into Shark Week and National Geographic Documentaries. We picked out non-fiction reads that will excite any fact finder you may know. Biographies, constellations, artists, and a world of information … it’s all here.
Code Girls: the true story of the American women who secretly broke codes in World War II by Liza Mundy (Young Readers Edition)
*Middle grades *Nonfiction *History *World War II *United States *Gender issues *Codebreaking
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai (Young Readers Edition)
*Middle grades *Nonfiction *Memoirs
Pirates Magnified by David Long
*Activity book *Middle grades and younger *Pirates
Robert Bateman: the boy who painted nature by Margriet Ruurs
*Canadian *Biography *Nature *Middle school
Seeing Stars: a complete guide to the 88 constellations by Sara Gillingham
*Middle grades *Nonfiction *Star gazing *History *Western focus
Sharkpedia: track, discover, explore by Margaret Parrish and Nancy Ellwood, 2nd ed.
*Middle grades *Nonfiction *Trivia *Sharks
A World of Information by James Brown and Richard Platt
*Gr. 6 and up *Nonfiction *Trivia *Natural world *Human world *Beautiful design
In a Class of Their Own - National Geographic and DK Books
Animal Encyclopedia by National Geographic
*Gr.1-9 *Nonfiction *Science *Animals *Amazing photos *Browser
How Things Work Then and Now by Nat Geo Kids
*Gr.3 to 7 *Nonfiction *Browser
Record Breakers!: More than 500 Fantastic Feats: Fastest, Biggest, Strongest by DK
*Nonfiction *Trivia *Human world *Natural world
Ultimate Dino-pedia by Nat Geo Kids
*Nonfiction *Dinosaurs *Browser *High interest
Ultimate Secrets Revealed by Nat Geo Kids
*Gr. 3-7 *Nonfiction *Browser
The Ultimate Treasury of Horses by DK
*Nonfiction *Horses/animals *Beautiful photos
Weird by True! Gross by Nat Geo Kids
*Gr.2-6 *Nonfiction *Browser *All things yuck
Weird by True! 10: 350 Outrageous Facts by Nat Geo Kids
*Gr.2-6 *Nonfiction *Browser *Wide ranging trivia
Write Your Own Book by DK
*Gr.3-7 *Writing *Activity book *Autobiography
Keeping Busy - Activity Books
Build Your Own Chain Reaction Machines by Paul Long*Nonfiction *Makers *Simple machines
Curious Jane by Curious Jane
*Nonfiction *Arts and crafts *Science experiments *
Marvelous Makeable Monsters by Sam Haynor
*Gr.2-7 *Nonfiction *Arts and crafts *Making
Science Ideas : Inventions in 30 Seconds
*Makers *Browser
Coding is the New Black
Coding Projects in Scratch by Jon Woodcock
*Makers *Coding
An Encyclopedia for Strategy for Fortniters: an Unofficial Guide for Battle Royale by Jason R. Rich
*Gaming *Fortnite *Clues and strategies
Girls Who Code: Crack the Code by Sarah Hutt
*Makers *Coding *Activity book
DAY 1
Winter Wonderland Tales
This is up first because it's seasonal and as I already said 'Tis the season, right?
Most of these are picture books geared for preschool to eight-year-olds. There are a couple of exceptions, however, novels that will appeal to kids, eight to twelve.
All Right Already!: a Snowy Story by Jory John & Benji Davies
*Picture book *Humour *Friends *Animals
Bear and Chicken by Jannie Ho
*Picture book *Winter *Animals *Frienship
Before Morning by Joyce Sidman and Beth Krommes
*Picture book *Beautiful *Snow day *Retro illustrations *Tammy’s favorite
A Boy Called Christmas series (3 volumes) by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould
*Middle grades *Illustrated novels *Christmas stories *Fantasy *Dicken-esque atmosphere
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Meltdown by Jeff Kinney
*Gr. 3-7 *Novel *Series *Diary format *Winter theme *Friendship
Erik the Lone Wolf by Sarah Finan
*Picture book *Winter *Family *Animal story
Got to Get to Bear’s by Brian Lies
*Picture book *Great illustrations *Friendship
Small Walt; Small Walt and Mo the Tow by Elizabeth Verdick
*Picture books *Snow plow *Retro look
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
*Picture book *Classic (aka it’s been around a while) *Board book *Wordless *Comic book panels *Paula's pick
Winter is Here by Kevin Henkes
*Picture book *Winter activities
Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell
*Picture book *Winter story *Animal story
We're All About the Holly Jolly
A good many of the picture books Paula and I were drawn to this year were funny. I'm not sure what the clerks at the book thought about us chuckling, chortling and guffawing our way up and down the aisles. Now that I think of it, one fellow kept cruising by asking if we need any help. Probably, but we didn't take him up.
Breaking News: Alien Alert by Daivd Biedrzyck
*Picture book *Humour *Newscast format *Aliens (of course)
Buddy and Earl Meet the Neighbors by Maureen Fergus
*Picture book *Humour *Series *Dog *Porcupine *Buddy storyDragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel by Adam Rubin
*Picture book *Humour *Sequel *Paula sqwee-d when she saw this one
A Dog Named Doug by Karma Wilson and Matt Myers
*Picture book *Great illustrations *Dogs *Adventures
How to Feed Your Parents by Ryan Miller
*Picture book *Humour *Family *Food *Eating habits
The Epic Adventures of Huggie and Stick by Drew Daywalt
*Picture book *BEST PICK for humour *Friendship *Diary *Odd couple story
Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise by David Ezra Stein
*Picture book *Humour *Storytelling *Parent/child
It's the Troll! by Sally Grindley
*Picture book *Life-the-flap *Fairy tale based
Old Hat by Emily Gravett
*Picture book *Humour *Fashion *Self expressionPanda Pants by Jacqueline Davies
*Picture book *Humour *Animal story *Clothes
Sleep, Sheep! by Kerry Lyn Sparrow
*Picture book *Humour *Bedtime story *Counting sheep *Fears *Encouragement
The True Adventures of Esther the Wonder Pig by Steve Jenkins, Derek Walter and Caprice Crane
*Picture book *Based on true story *Two dads *Pig *Pets
Snowflakes & Unicorns – Interestingly Designed Books
Looking for something to enjoy with your wee one that has flaps or holes or things to look for? Here is a list of some of the top books we saw for more than just reading.
*Primary/Pre-School *Picture book *Aphabet book *Interesting Format
Bee: A peek-through picture book by Britta Teckentrup
*Picture book *Cut out *Great illustrations
DinoBlock by Christopher Fanceschelli
*Board Book *Preschool to Grade 1
Dinosaur: a photicular book by Kathy Wollard, created by Dan Kainen
*Nonfiction *3D
*Grade 2 *Nonfiction *Interactive *Trivia *Natural world *Human world *Series
Moon: A peek-through picture book by Britta Teckentrup
*Picture book *Cut out *Great illustrations
Owls are good at keeping secrets: an unusual alphabet by Sarah O’leary
*Picture book *Personification *Animal Alphabet
*Primary grades *Nonfiction *Counting *Seek-and-find
Where’s Waldo? The Spectacular Spotlight Search by Martin Handford
*Screen lighting gadget *Search and find
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening – Beautiful Picture Books
Sharing a picture book with beautiful illustrations allows you and your child an escape to a magical place or a calm and quiet lake so grab a hot chocolate and wander into new and dazzling worlds.
*Primary grades *Picture book *Beautiful illustrations *Poetry *Calm
In the Red Canoe by Leslie A. Davidson
*Beautiful illustrations *Picture Book *Outdoors *Canadian
The Magician’s Secret by Zachary Hyman, illustrated by Joe Bluhm
*Primary grades *Picture book *Grandparents *Storytelling *Lovely illustrations *Adventures *Imagination
They Say Blue by Jillian Takamki
*Picture book *Great illustrations *Award winner
Beginning to Curl Up with a Good Read – Early Chapter Books
Having a brand new reader in the house is always exciting and whether you share the reading or your young reader finds the joy of curling up in a comfy chair by the fire with a new book, early chapters are where it's at.
Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin
*Grade K-3 *Mystery *Illustrated novel *Humour *Graphic novel *Early reader
Bear Country by Doreen Cronin
*Humour *Animal story *Beginning chapter *Series
Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas by Dav Pilkey
*Gr. 2-5 *Illustrated novel *Humour *Graphic novel *Crime fighter *Dogs *Series
The Ice Chips and the Haunted Hurricane by Roy and Kerry MacGregor
*Hockey adventure *Beginning chapter book *Series
Lulu is Getting a Sister by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
*Gr. 3-6 *Illustrated novel *Humour *Family
Peanut Butter and Jelly (A Narwhal and Jelly Book) bu Ben Clanton
*Primary grades *Novel *Humour *Friendship *Series
The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
*Gr.1-4 *Novel *Girls *Action/adventure *Series *Science Experiments
Trains, Planes & Automobiles, Literally – Fact books for young transportation specialists
Do you know the names of all the construction vehicles in your neighbourhood? Does someone recite the name and sound of local dozers from their car seat? Then this section is for you and your young one.
*Primary grades *Picture books *Nonfiction *Retro illustrations
*Primary grades *Nonfiction *Good for browsing *Series
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