Board Books

With vibrant illustrations and a glossy tactile finish, this sturdy board book introduces babies and toddlers to a kaleidoscope of colours and the rhythm of changing seasons on the West Coast. Sockeye Silver, Saltchuck Blue follows the shifting spectrum of the Pacific Northwest including the quiet grey rain of winter, the verdant growth of spring, the jewel red tones of tart summer huckleberries and the shimmering scales of a spawning sockeye salmon as it turns from silver to red in fall. Like Hello Humpback! and One Eagle Soaring, this board book will be sure to enthrall the very youngest readers while introducing the delights of the natural world.

Reviews
“Graceful, well-constructed rhymes pair with First Nations artist Vickers’s crisp, luminous scenes… It’s a gorgeous glimpse of the distinctive landscapes and creatures of the Northwest, and it will enchant residents and nonlocals alike.” —Publishers Weekly 

Educator & Series Information
This is the third installment in the First West Coast Books series. This book pairs the concepts of colours and seasons.  

Recommended Ages: 3 and under.

Additional Information
20 pages | 6.00" x 6.00" | Board Book

A young child skates, bakes, and milks the cow while the moon wondrously transforms above. When they walk through the woods with their skates, the moon is a frozen pond. When they tend the cow, the moon is the milk at the bottom of the pail.

Stunning illustrations by Josée Bisaillon capture how imagination shapes the environment around us. This simple board book shows children that the way they see the world—by heart, mind and imagination—is just right. Reveling in metaphor, The Moon Is a Silver Pond encourages that magical leap of imagination and asks the reader to look at everyday objects from a different perspective.

Educator Information
Themes: metaphor, figurative language, observation, point of view, child's perspective

This book is available in French as a hardcover book: La lune est un etang d'argent

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

Can you help Ukaliq and Kalla find things on their camping trip?

In this search-and-Find book, children are encouraged to find objects hidden in different scenes.

Educator Information
This is an Arvaaq Book. Books in this series are intended for infants and very young children and are designed to help children develop physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills.

This is a Search-and-Find book, which helps children develop their observational skills and reinforces early literacy skills and language development.

Recommended Ages: 0 to 3

Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut

Additional Information
16 pages | 10.00" x 8.25"

Hooray! Time for a new and colourful 123 adventure with bestselling children's author and illustrator Jocey Asnong, along the remarkable west coast of Canada. 

Jocey Asnong’s vibrant and whimsical illustrations take readers kayaking through Cowichan Bay, surfing with starfish and sea otters at Tofino, and swimming with sea wolves in the Great Bear Rainforest. From carving through fresh powder at Whistler Blackcomb to treasure hunting at the bottom of the Salish Sea, this early concept board book in number recognition and counting is an excellent companion to Asnong’s West Coast ABCs, as she continues showcasing the diverse marine mammals, ocean organisms, birds and other species that are unique to this region.

Educator Information
For ages 3 and under.

Additional Information
28 pages | 6.50" x 6.50"

Bilingual first counting book featuring vivid paintings from celebrated Mi'kmaw artist.

One is Ne'wt, for one bear. Two is Ta'pu, for two women at the sacred fire. Counting from one to ten in English and Mi'kmaw, baby is introduced to both the ancestral language of Mi'kmaki and to Mi'kmaw culture and legend, through beautifully rendered illustrations of important animals, like turtle, bear, and beaver, to concepts integral to the Mi'kmaw world view, like the Four (Ne'w) Directions, and the Seven (L'luiknek) Mi'kmaw teachings. Features bright and detailed illustrations from celebrated Waycobah-based Mi'kmaw illustrator, Loretta Gould.

Educator Information
Recommended ages: 3 and under

Recommended in the "Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020" resource list as being useful for kindergarten students in the areas of English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.

There is no pronunciation guide or background information about the Mi'kmaq in this book.

Additional Information
12 pages | 7.00" x 7.00" | Boardbook

One kiss, two kiss, three kiss, four! So many kisses and so many more. From bestselling author Richard Van Camp comes a delightful counting book that honors families and can be used to praise your little ones as they learn to count. Ten kisses from your sweet baby might not be enough to get you through this adorable book, so you'll just have to read it over and over!

Educator Information
This book is a dual-language book in English and Plains Cree Y dialect.

Recommended for Grades K-2 for the following subject areas: English Language Arts, Indigenous Language, Social Studies.

Translated by Mary Cardinal Collins.

Additional Information
26 pages | 7.00" x 7.00" | Board Book

Authenticity Note
Because this book is written and translated by an Indigenous author and translator, and because it contains Cree language, an element of Indigenous culture, this work has received the Authentic Indigenous text label and a text content label of Cree.  The story itself and the images within the book are not specifically Indigenous or Cree, however.

Alan Syliboy, author of The Thundermaker, showcases his vibrant artwork in this new baby board book.

Colourful images depicting Canadian animals like moose, whales, and caribou, and more makes this vibrant book a perfect introduction to the Mi'kmaw language.

With English and Mi'kmaq translations for the animal names on every page, babies will enjoy the vivid paintings while they learn new words and discover a bit of Mi'kmaw culture in a fun way.

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 0-3

Bilingual: English and Mi'kmaw Languages

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020 resource list as being useful for kindergarten students for English Language Arts.

Additional Information
12 pages | 7.00" x 7.00" | 10 colour illustrations

Following on the success of their bestselling board book Hello Humpback!, the celebrated and award-winning authors Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd are back with One Eagle Soaring, the second volume in their exciting new series, First West Coast Books. One Eagle Soaring, a “first numbers” book, explores counting and numbers with the help of West Coast animals—from a single eagle aloft, to a pair of swimming whales, as well as leaping frogs, honey-hungry bears and a group of ten dozing marmots. Combining Roy Henry Vickers’ vivid illustrations, a glossy tactile finish and a simple yet catchy text, this sturdy board book introduces babies and toddlers to the spectacular scenery and wildlife of British Columbia.

Educator & Series Information
This is the second installment of the First West Coast Books series.

Additional Information
20 pages | 6.00" x 6.00" | Board Book

Born in British Columbia, Tsimshian artist and mother Morgan Asoyuf makes her publishing debut with Black and White: Visual Stimulation for Babies.

Using familial crests as her artistic inspiration, this book of high-contrast images is designed to stimulate brain growth and visual development in young babies.

Author Statement
The crest system of the Pacific Northwest is what gave rise to the Northwest Coast art form. Crests depict the deeper story of our Peoples' familial ranks and migratory paths.

Beyond my personal interest in historical art and the processes that create it, I also care deeply about the forwarding of traditional Tsm'syen art and culture.

When my baby was one month old I wanted her to be able to look at black and white images from her Tsimhsian culture. As babies develop sight, they can best see high contrast images and patterns. Exposing them to black and white artwork stimulates brain growth and visual devleopment.

I spent two months developing my drawings and testing them on her. Interestingly, she had clear favourites and would be more excited for certain images.

Northwest art has a healing and mesmerizing effect for all ages and I believe viewing it from a young age will create a varied cognitive development.

What a wonderful way to introduce children to a lifetime of reading!

-- Morgan Asoyuf, Tsimshian

Additional Information
20 pages | 6.5" x 6.5"

Authenticity Note: Because this book is wordless, only the Authentic Indigenous Artwork label has been applied and no Text Content Territory has been assigned.  The story is told through images, though, which depict Tsimshian culture.

Black Bear, Red Fox - Colours in Cree is a dual-language board book authored and illustrated by Cree artist Julie Flett. Different animals and plants and their colours are shown in English and then in Cree.

Additional Information
22 pages | 7.75" x 7.25"

Maxwell Newhouse, folk artist extraordinaire, has created a unique counting book. The premise is simple. He invites children to count with him from ten crunching caribou down to one lonely moose, by finding other northern animals - from seals to wolves to snowy owls - as they turn the pages. But as the animals appear, so does the snow, until it's a character too, obliterating light and dark, sky and earth.

A gorgeous exploration of the isolation and the beauty of northern winter, Maxwell Newhouse has created a deceptively simple picture book that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Reviews
“As the countdown proceeds, the snow begins to fall, getting heavier with each panel until it nearly obscures the animals; the effect of the snow over the five wolves, for hares, three polar bears and two snowy owls—all white to begin with—is spectacular, and readers will feel the chill. Lovely and, thanks to its small trim, intimate.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A sparse and lovely meditation on winter wilderness.” - Publishers Weekly

“Newhouse’s sensitive portrayal of the stark Arctic landscape creates an atmospheric chilliness that perfectly captures a winter evening north of the 49th parallel. Original without being gimmicky, Counting on Snow should come with the purchase of every crib in this country, as it has all the makings of a Canadian classic.” - Starred Review, Quill & Quire

“Folk artist Maxwell Newhouse has created a beautifully simple counting book with a twist. The book begins with ten crunching caribou on a green plain. As the numbers of animals decrease, the snow begins to fall. By the end of the book, the page is heavy with snow. A lovely introduction to numbers and the animals of Canada.” - ForeWord Magazine

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 and under.

Additional Information
22 pages | 7.00" x 8.50" | Board Book 

The third book in this colourful and unique series introduces preschool and kindergarten classrooms interested in learning English, French or Cree as a second language to everyday words using original and vibrant illustrations.

Neepin Auger's books for children contain original, brightly coloured images and early education level concepts familiar to everyone. Playful and bold, this dynamic series will educate and entertain preschoolers, parents and teachers alike.

In addition to the English words presented, the French and Cree equivalents are also given, making these some of the most dynamic and useful board books on the market, perfectly suitable for the classroom, library and nursery.

Educator & Series Information
This board book is recommended for ages 3 and under.

This book is part of the Discovering Series.

Additional Information
30 pages | 6.50" x 6.50"

With bright and bold illustrations of the wild and magical West Coast by celebrated artist Roy Henry Vickers, this sturdy board book will delight babies and toddlers as they begin to experience and recognize the sights and sounds of the natural world. Hello Humpback!, a "first words" book, introduces iconic West Coast animals, from hungry sea otters to hopping orcas, and is sure to become an instant classic.

Educator & Series Information
This book is a part of the First West Coast Books series.

Additional Information
20 pages | 6.00" x 6.00" | Board Book

Authenticity Note: The art in this book is Indigenous, but the text simply discusses West Coast ecology and animals and is from a non-Indigenous author.

I am Dreaming Of... is authored by Coast Salish, Musqueam artist Melaney Gleeson-Lyall.

Over 10 Northwest Coast Indigenous Artists have come together in I am Dreaming of... to create a bedtime story that rhymes. Dream your way through the forest as you encounter animals of the Pacific Northwest all drawn in beautiful coastal First Nations styles.

Additional Information
24 pages | 5.75" x 7.5"

Animals of the Salish Sea is a wonderful book for home and school. This book shares Coast Salish traditional teachings of 26 animals. Also included is the specific aspects of each animal who live in this unique marine environment.

Explore the Salish Sea through the First Nations and Native art of Coast Salish artists (including: Terry Horne, Doug LaFortune, Francis Horne Sr., Maynard Johnny Jr., Marissa Nahanee, Latash Nahanee, Simone Diamond, Erica Joseph, Darrell Thorne, Doug Horne, Chad Leon, Joe Sxwaset-Wilson) and Musqueam, Coast Salish author Melaney Gleeson-Lyall.

"The Coast Salish people have been the guardians of the Salish Sea for thousands of years.  The Salish Sea provides us food and sustenance for living, ceremonies, and journeys of life.  We use the Salish Sea as our highway to travel and visit all of our relations.  Our cedar plank longhouses lined the shores inviting all of our visitors to our lands." - Doug LaFortune, Coast Salish 

Educator Information
This beautiful and colourful book offers teachings about the animals of the Salish Sea! 

Additional Information
Board Book