Picture Books

Donovan is hungry for a special kind of breakfast . . . Makwa!

It’s breakfast time and Donovan knows exactly what he wants this morning! Not eggs, not pancakes, not cereal. No, what he wants is BEAR, just like his grandfather used to eat for breakfast!

So Donovan sets off to bag a bear of his own, going on an adventurous hunt through the woods, where he stalks and is stalked by an ant, a squirrel, and a dog — but they are not bears, so he shoos them away!

When Donovan finally meets a real, big and growling bear, he quickly learns that sometimes breakfast tastes best when it doesn’t have any teeth!

Educator Information
This dual-language edition includes both the original English text and an Algonquin translation.

This story was inspired by Donovan, a first-grader in in La Loche, a community in northern Saskatchewan that Robert Munsch visited in January, 1990. When Robert asked what the kids liked to eat, Donovan said that he liked to eat BEAR! Illustrator Jay Odjick is a member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and the creator of the Algonquin Word of the Day series.

This book is available in English only as Bear for Breakfast.

This resource is also available in French as Un ours pour dejeuner!

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 10.00"

Let’s go berry picking!

Follow a family as they go berry picking on a fall day in Nunavut.

Educator Information
Bilingual: English and Inuktitut

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. 

Additional Information
16 pages | 18.50" x 18.50"

A tender, luminous portrait of art, nature, and connecting across generations.

When a young girl moves from the country to a small town, she feels lonely and out of place. But soon she meets an elderly woman next door, who shares her love of arts and crafts. Can the girl navigate the changing seasons and failing health of her new friend? Acclaimed author and artist Julie Flett’s textured images of birds, flowers, art, and landscapes bring vibrancy and warmth to this powerful story, which highlights the fulfillment of intergenerational relationships and shared passions.

Awards

• TD Canadian Children's Literature Award

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 3 to 8

Recommended Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3.

Curriculum Connections: Family - Indigenous, Friendship, Emotions and Feelings, Nature, Seasons

Gorgeous artwork captures life cycles, changing seasons, and the passing of life, providing a gentle way to discuss difficult subject matter with youth including loneliness, death, and grief.

Guided Reading Level: L

RRL: 19

Common Core State Standards
W.2.3,5,7,8
SL.2.1,1b,1c,2,3,4,6
RF.2.3,3d,3f,4,4a,4c
L.2.3,4,4a,4d,5,5a,5b,6

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list as being useful for grades K-2 in these areas: English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

Additional Information
48 pages | 10.00" x 10.00"

Based in Duck Bay, Manitoba, in the 1940s, an Elder shares his experience of packing up to go out to collect blueberries, a traditional gathering that took place every summer. He describes the journey and landscape with humor and such vivid imagery that readers will see themselves there with him, boarding the trail of wagons from surrounding communities and heading east toward the blueberry patch. The Elder's stories offer a journey back in time and are complemented by images of fields of plump blueberries, tall green grass, bannock baking over an open fire, clear freshwater streams and the tents the people slept in.

Educator Information
Written in English and Anishinaabemowin. Includes a page of after-reading activities for kids at the back of the book that both test reading comprehension and encourage further inquiry and exploration.

Recommended for ages 6-8.

Themes: Manitoba, Berries, Food Sovereignty, Indigenous, Traditions, Food, Culture, Family, Community, Anishinaabe.

Includes a recipe for bannock.

Translated by Norman Chartrand.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list as being useful for grades K-3 in these areas: English Language Arts, Art, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Toonik Tyme is a lot of fun!

This book describes different things that happen during Toonik Tyme, an annual festival in Iqaluit that celebrates Inuit traditions and the return of spring.

Educator & Series Information 
This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic.  It is a Level 7 book in the series. 

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. This book's F&P Level is E.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Indigenous perspectives; Community engagement; History; Heritage

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
16 pages | 10.00" x 10.00"

The world is bursting full of beautiful colors, from the blue of the fish to the green of the leaves! Even more wondrous are the many names the different peoples of the world have for them. Join these Hawai’ian kids, their older brother and his boyfriend as they adventure around their island to learn their colors – and a little about love along the way.

Reviews
"Learn the Hawai'ian words for colors in this lovely, family-oriented, BIPOC-centered story. This #OwnVoices picture book is written by a māhū (trans) person and illustrated by a queer, Black Native Hawaiian artist." - The Seattle Public Library 

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

An indigenous Hawai’ian colour adventure, featuring older brother Kalani teaching a gaggle of keiki their colors on a Saturday fishing trip.

Additional Information
10.75" x 8.25" | Paperback

Two people navigate their differences with curiosity and openness in this stunning picture book that imagines the first meeting between an Indigenous fisher and a European sailor.

Based on an actual journal entry by French explorer Jacques Cartier from his first expedition to North America in July 1534, this story imagines the first encounter between a European sailor and a Stadaconan fisher. As the two navigate their differences (language, dress, food) with curiosity, the natural world around them notes their similarities. The seagull observes their like shadows, the mosquito notes their equally appealing blood, the mouse enjoys the crumbs both people leave behind.

This story explores how encounters can create community and celebrates varying perspectives and the natural world. It is at once specific and universal. It's a story based on a primary document and historical research, but it is in equal measure beautifully imagined. It makes room for us to recognize our differences while celebrating our shared humanity.

Debut author Brittany Luby's background in social justice and history brings a breathtaking depth of insight and understanding to this story and Michaela Goade's expressive art brings equal life to the creatures and landscapes. An author's note outlines the historical context as well as situates the story in the present day.

Reviews
"Shared humanity is at the center of this Indigenous author and illustrator team’s alternative history.... Encounter’s most valuable aspect is its backmatter: Both an author’s reflection and a historical note offer crucial context to this spirited revision. “This peaceful encounter does not forgive…violent actions,” Luby notes. “Instead, it reminds us…that everyday people, like Sailor, can participate in systems that hurt others.” Without this addendum, this story runs the risk of obscuring legacies of violence rather than “learn[ing] from our history and tak[ing] the opportunity to map a better future.”

"An uplifting, #ownvoices vision for what could have been and what we are responsible for now." - Kirkus Reviews

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7

Includes an author's reflection and historical note that provide crucial context to the events in the story.

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.50" x 10.63"

What do you like to eat?

This book features some of the foods people eat in the North, such as bannock and cheese.

Educator & Series Information 
This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic.  It is a Level 4 book in the series. 

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. This book's F&P Level is A.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Diversity; Indigenous perspectives

Recommended for ages 3-6.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

• Social emotional learning: community, helping others, critical thinking, learning from mistakes and trying again
• Reading and language skills
• Indigenous knowledge and traditions

Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpre Award winner Juana Martinez-Neal.

Fry bread is food.
It is warm and delicious, piled high on a plate.

Fry bread is time.
It brings families together for meals and new memories.

Fry bread is nation.
It is shared by many, from coast to coast and beyond.

Fry bread is us.
It is a celebration of old and new, traditional and modern, similarity and difference.

Awards

• 2020 Robert F. Sibert Award - Medal winner

Reviews
“With buoyant, heartfelt illustrations that show the diversity in Native America, the book tells the story of a post-colonial food, a shared tradition across the North American continent . . . Through this topic that includes the diversity of so many Native peoples in a single story, Maillard (Mekusukey Seminole) promotes unity and familiarity among nations. Fry bread is much more than food, as this book amply demonstrates.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Fry Bread celebrates the thing itself and much, much more . . . Maillard and Martinez-Neal bring depth, detail, and whimsy to this Native American food story, with text and illustrations depicting the diversity of indigenous peoples, the role of continuity between generations, and the adaptation over time of people, place, and tradition.” —Booklist, starred review

“This warm and charming book shows and affirms Native lives. The informational text and expressive drawings give it broad appeal.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“An affecting picture book that features family and friends gathering, creating and enjoying fry bread together. Glorious . . . [Back matter] augments the simple, sincere verses with illuminating edification for older readers . . . Remarkable in balancing the shared delights of extended family with onerous ancestral legacy, Maillard both celebrates and bears witness to his no-single-recipe-fits-all community.”  Shelf Awareness

Educator Information
Includes a recipe for the author's fry bread at the back.

Additional Information

Journey with Ghost and her family, refugees in Canada.

This book is based on the true story of Eka, Rainer, and their cat, Ghost. When life in Indonesia becomes too dangerous for LGBTQ people, Ghost and her two dads are forced to leave their home and escape to freedom in Canada. The story is told from the perspective of Ghost. The illustrations are created from Rainer's photographs.

Reviews
“This book charmed me from the get-go. Told from a cat’s perspective, it tackles tough subjects with a light touch. The story broke my heart, then put it back together again. I simply loved it.”  -Susin Nielsen, Governor General’s Award-winning author of The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen and No Fixed Address

"Ghost's Journey shines a gentle light on the dangers faced by so many LGBTQ+ people in countries around the world. It's a powerful and important story, beautifully written and full of captivating images." - Susan Juby, author of Alice I Think and the Republic of Dirt
​
"Reading this story I realize again how fortunate we are to live in a society where we can talk, think, act, believe and love as free human beings; where we respect our neighbours even if they differ from us. I hope that many children will read this tender tale and wonder why people around the world can't revel in that same freedom, that we so often take for granted. Because only when we wonder why something isn't right, can we change injustices. Welcome to Canada, Ghost and your daddies." - Margriet Ruurs, award-winning author of Stepping Stones, A Refugee Family’s Journey

"Ghost's story is not just an endearing cat tale, it's also a gentle but honest introduction to human rights issues for young audiences." -Kyle Lukoff, author of When Aidan Became a Brother and A Storytelling of Ravens 
​
“Ghost’s Journey is a perfect fit for teaching young audiences about SOGI, family diversity, human rights, and social justice. Parents, primary teachers and elementary school librarians will love this picture book; a ‘must have’ on every kid’s bookshelf!” - Solveig Davie, Teacher-Librarian, SD44 

"With gentle, evocative prose, and a cuddly protagonist, Stevenson recounts Eka and Rainer’s journey from Java through the lens of the two men’s cat, Ghost. Ghost’s perspective provides young readers with an accessible entry point to explore the plight of LGBTQ immigrants fleeing violence in their own countries. Ghost’s Journey is hopeful and engaging, packing an emotional punch that will help illuminate the struggles of LGBTQ individuals at home and abroad." -Robert Bittner, Postdoctoral Fellow and LGBTQ Literature Scholar.

"Robin Stevenson has an incredible talent for making difficult subjects accessible for all ages. Ghost’s Journey: A Refugee Story is no exception. For a book that deals with the terrible victimization of LGBTQ+ people and refugees, Ghost’s Journey, at its heart, is less about the horrors Rainer and Eka faced that forced them to flee their home and more about the love they share for each other and the home they have created with their beloved cat. Ghost’s Journey is a beautiful, much-needed book told through the eyes of a cat who follows his dads halfway across the world to create a new home together where they are free to love each other openly and without fear. Something everyone has a right to do." -Melanie Florence, award-winning author of Stolen Words and Missing Nimana

"This introduction to LGBTQ human rights for young children is a gentle and effective one.”- Kirkus Reviews

Educator Information
Picture Book for ages 3-8.

Ghost's Journey is the perfect fit to teach young audiences about family diversity, human rights, and social justice.

Keywords and Themes: Refugees, LGBTQ+, Indonesia, Canada, Animals (Cats), Social Justice, Human Rights, Family Diversity.

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.00" x 9.00"

Learn all about the history and traditional uses of the qulliq.

In this book, a grandmother teaches her grandchild how to light a qulliq and tells her about its history and traditional uses.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic. It is a Level 9 book in the series.

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. F&P Level of this book: L.

Curriculum Connections: Language and Literacy; Diversity; Indigenous Perspectives; History and Heritage.

Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 6.00"

Let’s count the animals we saw on the land.

This fun illustrated book helps children learn the names of animals and practise simple addition.

Educator & Series Information 
This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic.  It is a Level 7 book in the series. 

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. This book's F&P Level is C.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Diversity; Indigenous perspectives; Environmental awareness

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

This beautiful compendium of tales shares eight classic Inuit creation stories from the Baffin region. From the origins of day and night, thunder and lightning, and the sun and the moon to the creation of the first caribou and source of all the Arctic’s fearful storms, this book recounts traditional Inuit legends in the poetic and engaging style of authors Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley.

Reviews
"...[a] complete package of story-telling and art for giving voice to classic Inuit creation stories and meaningful discussion of beginnings and endings." - CanLit for Little Canadians

Additional Information
80 pages | 7.00" x 10.00"

We use water for a lot of things.

This book describes the different ways people use water in the Arctic.

Educator & Series Information 
This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic.  It is a Level 7 book in the series. 

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. This book's F&P Level is C.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Indigenous perspectives

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
16 pages | 8.00" x 6.00"