Browse Books for Kids

Animals Illustrated mixes fun—filled animal facts suitable for the youngest of readers with intricately detailed illustrations to create a unique and beautiful collection of children's non—fiction books on Arctic animals. Each volume contains first—hand accounts from authors who live in the Arctic, along with interesting facts on the behaviours and biology of each animal.

Kids will learn how polar bears raise their babies, what they eat and how they hunt, where they can be found, and other interesting information, like the fact that polar bears actually have transparent fur and black skin!

Awards

• 2017 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens

Reviews
“The polar bear is presented to the audience in a respectful way.” — CM Magazine

“Design of the series is spot-on, with attractive covers and lay-out that is both consistent throughout the series and age-appropriate for conveying information visually and textually.” — Kid Lit North

“Animals Illustrated is a significant series for young animal lovers . . .” — CanLit for Little Canadians

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the non-fiction Animals Illustrated series, which mixes fun-filled animal facts suitable for the youngest of readers with intricately detailed illustrations to create a unique and beautiful collection of children’s non-fiction books on Arctic animals. Each volume contains firsthand accounts from authors who live in the Arctic, along with interesting facts on the behaviours and biology of each animal.

Recommended Ages: 5-7

This book is available in French: Ours polaire

Additional Information
24 pages | 6.70" x 9.25"

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

Animals of the Salish Sea is a wonderful new 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
Hardcover

This is the fifth book in the Stories of Our People series.

Educator & Series Information
Stories of Our People/Lii zistwayr di la naasyoon di Michif Series is a departure from other books about Aboriginal or traditional stories. It includes five stories. As readers go through the series, they will notice that the narrative and artwork gets progressively darker. The series starts with trickster stories, then moves to a Whiitigo and Paakuk story, then jumps to a story about selling one’s soul and personal redemption, and finally to a Roogaroo story.

This project came to life from the stories of our Elders, and as such, original transcripts of the stories, prose renditions by Janice DePeel, and biographies of the storytellers and project team are available on the Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture: www.metismuseum.ca/browse/index.php?id=13100

Based on stories by Norman Fleury, Gilbert Pelletier, Jeanne Pelletier, Joe Welsh, and Norma Welsh.

Stories of Our People/Lii zistwayr di la naasyoon di Michif Series:
Book 1: How Michif was Lost
Book 2: Chi-Jean and the Red Willows
Book 3: Whistle for Protection
Book 4: Sins of the Righteous
Book 5: Attack of the Roogaroos!

Canoe Kids Vol. 2 The Haida is the second issue of a 24 edition series designed as family books for kids all ages. This eight-year project will see the Canoe Kids Team embed with 24 Peoples the publication designed as a family book for kids all ages. The mandate for the full-colour book (197 full colour high res photographs) is Exploring Indigenous Cultures through Authentic Indigenous Voices. The publication balances culture, equity and the environment in a beautiful mix that reminds the reader of the pictorial quality of National Geographic with a more in depth editorial content.

This second issue focuses on the Haida Nation of Haida Gwaii. In 165 pages the reader is introduced to the Haida People who kindly assisted the Canoe Kids staff by allowing access to Haida territory. Canoe Kids acknowledges the generosity of the Council of Haida Nation, the Haida Museum and the Haida Heritage Centre.

Educator Information
Each edition follows a common theme and features:

1: Compelling and beautiful pictorials that draw you into the stories and place of the featured community
2: The story of the vessel used by the featured Peoples
3: Art and Food
4: A Kids Zone
5: Resources for kids, parents and educators
6: Stories by and of the featured Peoples in each edition
7: Extraordinary pictures of the lives, land and waters of the featured Peoples

The materials are equal parts cultural and environmental. The latter is a natural offshoot of the former as Indigenous cultures are wrapped around and through the lands and water and sky both spiritually and from a harvesting and gathering perspective. Indigenous Peoples have long been the caretakers of Mother Earth and we can all learn from these experts whose message is perhaps more relevant today than ever.

Indigenous communities have always included the little ones in their circles and talk and teach to them in the same way they talk and teach to young adults and adults. Canoe Kids decided to follow that inclusive way of life for the layout of each book. Rather than create editions for different age groups, Canoe Kids decided to have one book for all ages.

K through 3 use Canoe Kids to read beautiful and ancient stories. There is beautiful original art to explore and a Kids Zone with puzzles, word searches, colouring, cutouts and more. Mid grades use the materials to study the culture, food and wildlife of the featured cultures. Grades 8 through 12 use stories that are more in depth from Dr. David Suzuki about the environment and there are discussion articles about living well and properly with Mother Nature as well as articles about the history and geography of the featured People.

Additional Information
165 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

This is the second book in the Stories of Our People series.

Educator & Series Information
Stories of Our People/Lii zistwayr di la naasyoon di Michif Series is a departure from other books about Aboriginal or traditional stories. It includes five stories. As readers go through the series, they will notice that the narrative and artwork gets progressively darker. The series starts with trickster stories, then moves to a Whiitigo and Paakuk story, then jumps to a story about selling one’s soul and personal redemption, and finally to a Roogaroo story.

This project came to life from the stories of our Elders, and as such, original transcripts of the stories, prose renditions by Janice DePeel, and biographies of the storytellers and project team are available on the Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture: www.metismuseum.ca/browse/index.php?id=13100

Based on stories by Norman Fleury, Gilbert Pelletier, Jeanne Pelletier, Joe Welsh, and Norma Welsh.

Stories of Our People/Lii zistwayr di la naasyoon di Michif Series:
Book 1: How Michif was Lost
Book 2: Chi-Jean and the Red Willows
Book 3: Whistle for Protection
Book 4: Sins of the Righteous
Book 5: Attack of the Roogaroos!

All 3 titles in the series, Des montagnes à la mer.

Maternelle- Nous habitons ici

1ère année- Des montagnes à la mer: Nous partageons les saisons

2ème année- Des montagnes à la mer: Nous sommes une communaute

This resource is also available in English HERE!

Additional Information
ISBN: 9781771745772

Ce livre est à propos d’une rivière. Est-ce que tu peux trouver une rivière sur la couverture de ce livre ? Que sais-tu sur les rivières ?

La plupart des rivières commencent haut dans les montagnes. Quand l’eau descend la colline, elle crée de petits ruisseaux dans les roches et cailloux. Ces ruisseaux s’élargissent et forment des rivières. Parfois les rivières s’attachent pour créer un fleuve. Plus bas, le terrain s’aplatit et le fleuve se ralentit. Le fleuve termine quand il déverse dans la mer.

La région autour d’une rivière est un bon endroit pour les plantes, les animaux et les gens à vivre parce que nous pouvons tous trouver de l’eau et de la nourriture là. Le saumon est une nourriture importante pour beaucoup d’entre nous.

Quelques-uns des plantes et animaux que vous allez trouver dans ce livre sont :

• Les Cèdres vivent et poussent tout le long de la rivière, des montagnes à la mer.
• Les Saumons passent leurs vies adultes dans l’océan. Quand c’est le moment de pondre leurs œufs ils retournent à leurs ruisseaux natals. Parfois leurs ruisseaux natals sont très proches des montagnes.
• Les Ours marchent des longues distances pour trouver leur nourriture. Ils habitent des montagnes à la mer. En automne ils vont aux rivières pour pêcher les saumons.
• Les Aigles volent au-dessus des vastes régions cherchant de la nourriture. Ils habitent des montagnes à la mer. En automne ils vont aux rivières pour se régaler sur les saumons.
• Les Orques habitent dans la mer. Ils nagent des longues distances pour chasser la nourriture. Certains orques mangent des saumons.

Est-ce que tu habites près d’une rivière ? Quelles plantes et animaux est-ce que tu as vus là?

Educator & Series Information
From the Mountains to the Sea is a series of three books:

• Maternelle- Nous habitons ici
• 1ère année- Des montagnes à la mer: Nous partageons les saisons
• 2ème année- Des montagnes à la mer: Nous sommes une communaute

This book is recommended for kindergarten students.

This resource is available in English: From the Mountains to the Sea: We Live Here

Additional Information
Book dimensions: 10" x 14" | Paperback | ISBN: 9781771741309

Dans ce livre on parle des saisons changeantes le long d’une berge de rivière, des montagnes à la mer. Tu peux voir beaucoup de plantes et animaux qui habitent là. Ils grandissent et changent comme nous.

Une saison est une des quatre parties de l’année : l’hiver, le printemps, l’été et l’automne. Nous partageons ce changement des saisons. Certains changements que nous faisons sont petits. D’autres changements sont grands. Nous grandissons et changeons tous. Qu’est-ce tu sais au sujet des saisons ?

L’Hiver, il peut faire froid haut dans les montagnes. Les jours sont courts. Beaucoup d’animaux dorment dans leurs tanières sous la neige. D’autres animaux sont actifs tout l’hiver. Quelques oiseaux et animaux voyagent loin où il fait plus doux. La plupart des plantes se reposent pendant l’hiver aussi.

Le Printemps, il fait plus doux le long des berges de ruisseaux montagneux. Les jours sont plus longs. Les animaux dormants se réveillent et sortent de leurs tanières. Ils ont faim et commencent à chercher de la nourriture. Les oiseaux et animaux qui sont partis pour l’hiver reviennent. Les plantes commencent à pousser.

L’Été, il peut faire chaud parfois le long des rivières. Les jours sont longs. Les jeunes animaux et oiseaux grandissent. Ils sont en train d’apprendre comment trouver de la nourriture et rester loin du danger. Les plantes poussent et leurs feuilles et branches s’épanouissent. Les baies sauvages commencent à mûrir et beaucoup de gens et animaux les mangent.

L’Automne, il peut faire frais et venteux près d’un estuaire. Les jours sont plus courts. Les animaux et les oiseaux commencent à se préparer pour le long hiver qui s’en vient. Quelques-uns vont s’engraisser pour qu’ils puissent dormir tout l’hiver. D’autres se réunissent avec leurs familles pour commencer leurs longs voyages aux endroits où il fait plus chaud. Les saumons rentrent de la mer et montent dans leurs ruisseaux natals pour pondre leurs œufs dans le gravier. Les feuilles sur les arbres, les arbustes et les buissons commencent à changer de couleur et elles commencent à tomber. Les plantes commencent à se reposer.

Laquelle des quatre saisons est ta préférée ? Pourquoi la préfères-tu?

Educator & Series Information
From the Mountains to the Sea is a series of three books:

• Maternelle- Nous habitons ici
• 1ère année- Des montagnes à la mer: Nous partageons les saisons
• 2ème année- Des montagnes à la mer: Nous sommes une communaute

This book is recommended for grade 1 students.

This resource is available in English: From the Mountains to the Sea: We Share the Seasons

Additional Information
Book dimensions: 10" x 14" | Pages: 16 | ISBN: 9781771741316

Ce livre est au sujet d’une rivière. La plupart des rivières débutent haut dans les montagnes. L’eau descend la pente et crée de petites voies dans les roches et cailloux. Quand les voies grandissent, elles font les ruisseaux. Lorsque plusieurs ruisseaux se rejoignent ils deviennent une rivière. Quelques rivières ont des chutes d’eau et des bassins d’eau profonde. Dans quelques endroits l’eau dépasse les roches rapidement pour former des rapides. Quand une rivière quitte la montagne et la terre commence à s’aplatir, l’eau ralentit. Finalement une rivière termine quand elle déverse dans un bassin océanique. Est-ce que tu as déjà visité un estuaire ?

Le rivage autour d’un estuaire est un bon habitat pour les plantes, les animaux et les gens pour vivre parce que nous pouvons tous trouver de l’eau et de la nourriture là. Le saumon est une nourriture importante pour beaucoup d’entre nous. Est-ce que tu as déjà mangé du saumon ?

Les gens ont prêté attention au cycle de vie du saumon pendant des milliers d’années. Nous avons appris que parfois nous pouvons aider les saumons à survivre en construisant une écloserie à côté de la rivière. Quelques écloseries sont grandes tandis que d’autres sont assez petites. As-tu déjà visité une écloserie ?

Il y a beaucoup de grandeurs de rivières dans le monde. Certaines sont larges. Certains sont étroites. Certaines sont profondes. Certaines sont peu profondes.

Est-ce que tu habites près d’une rivière ? Quelles plantes et animaux est-ce que tu as vus là?

Educator & Series Information
From the Mountains to the Sea is a series of three books:

• Maternelle- Nous habitons ici
• 1ère année- Des montagnes à la mer: Nous partageons les saisons
• 2ème année- Des montagnes à la mer: Nous sommes une communaute

Recommended for grade 2.

This resource is available in English: From the Mountains to the Sea: We Are a Community

Additional Information
Book dimensions: 10" x 14" | Pages: 16 | ISBN: 9781771741323

Native Elements - Colour & Draw: Northwest Coast Native Formline Colouring Book

Explore the traditional design styles of the Pacific Northwest with the Native Elements Colour & Draw: Native Northwest Coast Formline Colouring Book. This book features 32 pages of colouring space and blank sketching space.

Join in as artists from the Pacific Northwest use Indigenous formline techniques to create authentic interpretations of Pacific Northwest animals. Each artist uses their own style of authentic Northwest Coast formline to create various interpretations of the animals presented on each page.

Features:

• Features the artwork of over 10 indigenous artists.
• Includes both colouring pages and blank sketching pages.
• Printed in Canada using non-toxic, vegetable-based ink, and water-based coating.
• 32 pages; measures 8.5" x 11".
• One page at the beginning of the book with words and insights from the artists about Indigenous art and formline.

Additional Information 
This is a colouring book for adults and young adults; however, intermediate and secondary students would still enjoy colouring in the animal drawings and creating their own drawings on the blank pages provided!

Nurture your spirit! Slow down and explore colouring while learning about the Indigenous Peoples and cultures of the Pacific Northwest. Find your own magical and mysterious story woven within these pages." - Melaney Gleeson-Lyall, Musqueam, Coast Salish

Colouring Journal: Northwest Coast First Nations & Native Art features 14 journal pages and 16 original art designs from different Northwest Coast First Nations and Native American artists that take the reader/drawer through a journey of self-reflection and design.  The images and text in this book are the work of various Indigenous artists of the Pacific Northwest.

Inside Colouring Journal, you will find pages explaining the significance and symbolism of different animals and supernatural beings, followed by questions and space to journal. Facing the journalling pages are beautifully detailed colouring pages to complement the questions for reflection. Find your own magical journey woven within these pages.

Features:

• Features 16 original art designs.
• Printed in Canada using non-toxic, vegetable-based ink, and water-based coating.
• 32 pages; measures 8.5" x 11".

Long ago, when a great flood cleansed the land of unhappiness, the Grandfather sent Wanjblí the eagle to save one virtuous member of the human race and teach her how to live a good life. The eagle is a powerful symbol of courage, wisdom, and strength. In Kevin’s book he shares an inspiring vision of unity and hope for a new generation teaching children to recognize the eagle in themselves and others and always to soar above the darkness into the light.

Educator Information
This resource is also available in French: L’Envol de L’Aube: Un Récit Lakota

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

Acclaimed author Ruby Slipperjack delivers a haunting novel about a 12-year-old girl's experience at a residential school in 1966.

Violet Pesheens is struggling to adjust to her new life at residential school. She misses her Grandma; she has run-ins with Cree girls; at her "white" school, everyone just stares; and everything she brought has been taken from her, including her name-she is now just a number. But worst of all, she has a fear. A fear of forgetting the things she treasures most: her Anishnabe language; the names of those she knew before; and her traditional customs. A fear of forgetting who she was.

Her notebook is the one place she can record all of her worries, and heartbreaks, and memories. And maybe, just maybe there will be hope at the end of the tunnel.

Drawing from her own experiences at residential school, Ruby Slipperjack creates a brave, yet heartbreaking heroine in Violet, and lets young readers glimpse into an all-too important chapter in our nation's history.

Educator Information
Find the French translation of this resource here: Cher journal: Les mots qu'il me reste

Additional Information
192 pages | 5.54" x 7.66"

During Diwali, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate the legends and stories that describe the triumph of good over evil and justice over oppression. Critically acclaimed author Rina Singh explores her Indian roots as she tells the Diwali stories, which remind us that eventually light will prevail over darkness.

Enriched by personal stories and spiced with festive recipes, including two by acclaimed chef, Vikram Vij, Diwali: Festival of Lights brings to life the holiday’s traditions, food and rituals and takes you on a journey to see how this festival is celebrated around the world!

Diwali is the second book in the Orca Origins series, which examines how ancient traditions are kept alive in the modern world.

Reviews
"This sophisticated volume incorporates information about the major Indian religions; Hindu, Sikh, and Jain Diwali traditions; and Indian immigration to the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean...An exceptionally valuable resource." — Kirkus Reviews

"A standout volume...an excellent introduction to Diwali and Indian culture, highly recommended for all geography collections." — School Library Journal

"Provides a remarkably comprehensive look at the origins of the Hindu festival of lights...The intimate tone and vibrant photographs make this book an enjoyable and informative read from start to finish. Young readers will love the photographs, and older ones will appreciate the joy and concept of a celebration of light." — Booklist

"Written in a very readable text accompanied by colourful historical and contemporary captioned photographs...This book would be a great compliment to a study of religious customs and multiculturalism...I would highly recommend it for inclusion in school and public libraries." — Resource Links

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Orca Origins series that explores cultural celebrations throughout the world.

Recommended for ages 9-12.

Additional Information
96 pages | 7.50" x 9.00"