Browse Books for Kids

“Be careful of what you accept from spirits.”

Loup Garrou, trickster rabbits, and spirits with names that can’t be spoken — the plains and forests of North America are alive with characters like these, all waiting to meet you in this collection of folklore retold in comics!

Reviews
"Enjoyable for reading aloud or sharing around a campfire." -- KIRKUS

"Explores the stories, passed down through generations, of the people who have inhabited Turtle Island since time immemorial." - Women Write About Comics 

Educator Information
Comic book recommended for ages 10 to 12.

The book features more than 100 pages of entertaining and educational stories by artists and writers from Indigenous nations across the continent, including:

•  “As It Was Told to Me”, a creation tale that shows that the world needs good and bad to exist, which is written and illustrated by Elijah Forbes, a transgender Odawa illustrator who has facilitated the creation of illustration projects such as the 2020 “Trans Awareness Week.”
   
• “Chokfi,” the story of the trickster rabbit, who is jealous of Otter's fur coat and tries to steal it, by writer Jordaan Arledge, a trans Chickasaw comic writer and the founder of Arledge Comics, and  artist Mekala Nava.
   
• “White Horse Plains”, a cautionary tale about greed that comes from the Métis settlement St. Francois Xavier, as told by Rhael McGregor, a Non-Binary/Two-Spirit Métis comic artist and animator from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
   
• “Rougarou” by Mystery Solving Lesbians writer Maija Ambrose Plamondon and Métis-based artist Milo Applejohn, about a werewolf-like creature that haunts the Métis communities.
   
• “Agonjin In the Water” by the non-binary Ojibawe artist Alice RL, about a girl whose tribe is suffering from a drought and finds a Mishipeshu while searching for water.
   
• “Woman in the Woods” by the Cuban Taíno artist and storyteller Mercedes Acosta about a curious girl who sees a mysterious figure in the woods at night.
   
• “Into Darkness” by Izzy Roberts, a Michigan-based illustrator and a member of the Navajo Nation and Kinyaa’áanii clan, about a creature so dangerous and scary that no one dares utter its name.

Additional Information
120 pages | 6.06" x 9.04" | Black and white throughout | Paperback 

“The small shall be large . . . that's how it must be.”

In the Andean foothills, a five-year-old Quechua girl is entrusted with a big job: to collect a marrow bone from the neighbor for the family soup. A stunning debut from Indigenous author Suniyay Moreno.

Picu’s family is very poor. In the dry Andean foothills, her mother must feed fourteen people—her kids, her relatives’ kids, and the hired hand’s kids—every day. One morning, Picu, the youngest sister, is sent to get a marrow bone from a neighbor. The bone will add flavor and nutrition to the lunchtime soup. Her mother warns her not to dawdle on the two-hour walk, each way, through the wild landscape.

But Picu can’t help it! She marvels at the butterflies, samples the cactus fruit, and daydreams about using the marrow bone as a football. Will the neighbor let her family keep the bone after the soup is made? Will her mother let her play with it? And will she be punished for being so late?

Picu is a child of joie de vivre and resourcefulness. This story, like Picu herself, is tough, hard, and honest. And moving. And fun.

The Youngest Sister features a glossary of Quechuan terms that are used throughout the story.

Reviews
“The vibrant illustrations are eye-catching and have the look of vigorously applied pastels. Could possibly find use within social studies units on South America.”—School Library Connections

"A memorable story alive with the voice of an Indigenous people seldom heard from." - Kirkus Reviews

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Curriculum Connections: Global Indigenous Peoples / Poverty / Cultural Diversity / Exploration & Imagination / Resourcefulness

Additional Information
40 pages | 7.00" x 9.50" | Hardcover 

Tiri has a secret: he is scared of the dark. He doesn’t want anyone to find out, but as he spends the day with his friends, he learns they are each scared of something too. Tuktu is scared of heights. Ukaliq is scared of swimming in deep water. Will Tiri be able to open up and face his own fear? See how the friends learn to support one another.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

This book shows that it is okay to feel afraid.

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.

Bilingual: English and Inuktitut

Fountas and Pinnell Level: :

Additional Information
40 pages | 10.00" x 8.00" | Board Book

“Panik, do you know how much I love you? When I look at the horizon, past the vast tundra, I see no end. That is how much I love you.”

In this lovingly told book, a mother recounts for her daughter all the things she loves about her, connecting each attribute to an element of the Arctic landscape or Inuit traditional life. As her daughter’s eyes glisten like the fire of a seal oil lamp, and her courage shines bright like buds of purple saxifrage fighting through a thick blanket of snow, the mother weaves a beautiful narrative of connection and love that will warm the hearts of all readers.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Additional Information
24 pages | 9.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover

In this beautifully illustrated book, a determined young Anishnaabe girl in search of adventure goes on a transformative journey into a forest on her traditional territory. She is joined by a chorus of her ancestors in red dresses, who tell her they remember what it was like to be carefree and wild, too. Soon, though, the girl is challenged by a monster named Hate, who envelops her in a cloud of darkness. She climbs a mountain to evade the monster, and, with the help of her matriarchs and the power of Thunderbird, the monster is held at bay. Together the young girl and her ancestors beat their drums in song and support, giving the girl the confidence she needs to become a changemaker in the future, capable of fending off any monster in her way.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 8.

Additional Information
40 pages | 11.00" x 8.50" | Hardcover 

A peek-through board book with elaborate die-cuts on each page showing a tree and its many inhabitants throughout the four seasons.

Through a hole in the book's cover, an owl invites you inside to meet a majestic tree and all its forest inhabitants during the changing seasons. With clever die-cuts throughout, each sturdy page reveals a new set of animals playing and living in the tree--baby bears frolicking in the spring, bees buzzing around apples in the summer, squirrels storing nuts in the fall, and finally the lone owl keeping warm during the winter chill, until another year begins. . . .

Children will love seeing a new set of animals appear as each page is turned, and along the way they'll learn about the seasons and how a forest and its inhabitants change throughout the year.

Educator Information
For ages 3 and under.

Concepts: Seasons, Science, Nature, Animals.

Additional Information
26 pages | 6.13" x 7.50" | Board book

A lively look at the journey of a West Coast tugboat towing a log boom, as seen through the eyes of a young boy. 

"I’m helping Dad on the tugboat. We’re going to tow a log boom to the sawmill on the river… I look out for ferries and other boats in the harbor… Then I see it — a deadhead!"

Follow a child and his father through their workday on a tugboat on the West Coast as they watch a log boom being made, then tow it to a mill upriver. The pair must steer clear of other ships, race against the tide and weather a storm along the way. 

Told from a child's perspective, this fun, accessible picture book explores the key role of a tugboat in the logging process. As explained in the author's note, the story is inspired by Scot Ritchie’s childhood memories of seeing tugs and log booms off the coast of Vancouver, British Columbia, with additional information provided in the note about forestry on the West Coast today.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 6.

Key text features: author's note, diagrams, glossary, illustrations, facts, map, speech bubbles, writing inspiration

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.75" x 10.75" | Hardcover

In this reimagined version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, winter wildlife is observed as the snow comes. What animals do you think you might see? Do you think bears will be included? Why or why not? The only way to find out is to read or sing along as animals watch their world get blanketed by gentle layers of snow.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 8.

This book is part of the Twelve Days Series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.31" x 10.38" | Hardcover

Ukpik’s mother is eager to teach Ukpik how to prepare caribou skin, dry it, and use it to sew a pair of simple, useful mitts. But Ukpik can’t stop thinking about the beautiful new beads her mother traded the Captain for on his last visit. They are so bright and beautiful! Anaana knows it is more important for Ukpik to learn the skills she will need to make her own clothing in the cold Arctic climate, so she insists that Ukpik sit with her and learn the basics, while having a bit of fun, too. Though Anaana won’t let Ukpik sew with the new beads just yet, she does have a surprise for Ukpik that will let her enjoy the new-found treasures while also learning the skills she will need to provide for herself and her family.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Niaqualuk and Haugaaq live in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. There is a big blizzard coming! Haugaaq wishes she could play outside more, but Niaqualuk is excited about playing inside. See what fun things the sisters do all day as the blizzard howls outside.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

This book is the French and Inuktitut version of The Big Blizzard.

Additional Information
9.00" x 8.00" | Paperback

The climate crisis is the issue of our time.

Scientists have warned for over 100 years that burning fossil fuels and destroying nature will warm the earth's atmosphere and affect the climate in adverse ways: more severe and intense storms, prolonged heat waves, drought, flooding, wildfires, rising sea levels and ocean acidification.

Urgent Message from a Hot Planet: Navigating the Climate Crisis outlines the science behind global heating and its root causes, provides ways to take action and honors the efforts of the millions of youth and adult allies from around the world working tirelessly to make a difference. Their powerful message: do something now!

Reviews
“[An] accessible first-person narrative that makes space for emotions as well as scientific facts and figures...A well-researched and emotionally impactful call to make choices that revitalize nature and our planet.”— Kirkus Reviews

“I encourage any interested youth – and their parents – to read this book. It is an amazing achievement – comprehensive and informative, stretching from climate science to the intersecting issues of inequality and racism. Ultimately, it is a toolbox for hope.” — Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament, Saanich-Gulf Islands and former leader of the Green Party of Canada

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12+

A free, downloadable poster is available for this book: Poster - Urgent Message from a Hot Planet: Navigating the Climate Crisis

Additional Information
216 pages | 6.00" x 8.50" | Paperback 

An Indigenous teen girl is caught between two worlds, both real and virtual, in the YA fantasy debut from bestselling Indigenous author Wab Kinew. Perfect for fans of Ready Player One and the Otherworld series.

Bugz is caught between two worlds. In the real world, she's a shy and self-conscious Indigenous teen who faces the stresses of teenage angst and life on the Rez. But in the virtual world, her alter ego is not just confident but dominant in a massively multiplayer video game universe.

Feng is a teen boy who has been sent from China to live with his aunt, a doctor on the Rez, after his online activity suggests he may be developing extremist sympathies. Meeting each other in real life, as well as in the virtual world, Bugz and Feng immediately relate to each other as outsiders and as avid gamers. And as their connection is strengthened through their virtual adventures, they find that they have much in common in the real world, too: both must decide what to do in the face of temptations and pitfalls, and both must grapple with the impacts of family challenges and community trauma.

But betrayal threatens everything Bugz has built in the virtual world, as well as her relationships in the real world, and it will take all her newfound strength to restore her friendship with Feng and reconcile the parallel aspects of her life: the traditional and the mainstream, the east and the west, the real and the virtual.

Reviews
"This smart, entertaining speculative novel gives readers a unique and moving portrait of young life — and the possibilities for gaming life — from a tribally specific corner of the world." —Publishers Weekly

"A thrilling, high-tech page-turner with deep roots." —Kirkus Reviews

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 12+.

This book is part of the Floraverse series.

This book is available in French: Un pied dans chaque monde

Additional Information
304 pages | 5.50" x 8.20" | Paperback

A quirky and uplifting guide to making new friends for kids 4 to 7 from a beloved, internationally renowned author.

This “sublime picture book” (Kirkus STARRED Review) offers a hilarious and insightful guide to making new friends at your own pace. For kids aged 4 to 7, Ways to Make Friends will bolster compassion and make kids laugh on their way back to school.

What’s the best way to make friends? Toad has the most magnificent ideas! Sometimes they don’t go according to plan… but that’s okay. Eventually Toad tires of making new friends, but comes to a marvelous conclusion: sometimes being with yourself is a good way to pass the time too.

A hilarious and heartfelt read for kids who are starting school or experiencing other unfamiliar social situations, Ways to Make Friends will give them the courage to stand on their own—and maybe try one of Toad’s unconventional methods to make a friend for themselves.

Reviews
"An intelligent glimpse at how a friendship between unlikely candidates might be possible. A stellar addition for all collections."—School Library Journal, STARRED Review

“This sublime picture book offers gentle guidance to all readers, from reluctant youngsters in prickly social situations to more experienced friendship seekers needing a refresher. Peppered among moments of pure hilarity and suggested creative outlets are nuggets of encouragement meant to bolster compassion.”—STARRED Kirkus Review

"This whimsical playbook for making friends explores a universal theme in a humorous and appealing way.” —Booklist

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.00" x 10.50" | Hardcover

A story about accepting no for an answer and how to handle the feeling of rejection.

Accepting no for an answer is a key foundation of consent. We Accept No builds children’s social and emotional skills and helps teach them how to ask for permission, how to respect no, and how to handle rejection.

The fourth book in the We Say What’s Okay series, We Accept No follows Jamin, who is upset when his friend Zakiya doesn’t want to share a great big extra-squeezy hug at the end of the day. With the help of his teacher, Ms. H, Jamin learns why accepting no for an answer is important, what to do with his sad and angry feelings, and what else he can do when someone doesn’t want a hug. Using the book as a read-aloud, educators and families can model the language Jamin’s teacher uses to support him as he learns how to respect personal boundaries. The author, who hosts workshops and trainings on teaching boundaries and consent for families and early childhood educators around the country, offers additional activities in the back of the book.

Digital content includes a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Reading Level: Grade 1 

Guided Reading Level: H

Centered around a class of preschoolers, the We Say What’s Okay series helps teach young children the social and emotional skills they need to understand the complexities of consent. Each book covers a consent theme, such as how to recognize the physical sensations that emotions create, look for body language cues, ask for and listen to choices, and know that our bodies have value. With believable, everyday situations and diverse characters, children can see themselves and others reflected in each story—and develop a vocabulary to communicate consent and feelings. Every book in the series is accompanied by a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover 

Support young children as they learn the importance of setting physical boundaries.

Being in charge of one’s body is a key foundation of consent. We Are in Charge of Our Bodies builds children’s social and emotional skills and helps with setting physical boundaries.

The sixth book in the We Say What’s Okay series, We Are in Charge of Our Bodies follows Jackson and his classmates as they learn the names for their private body parts, that they can say what’s okay for their bodies, and why it’s important to respect others’ bodies. Using the book as a read-aloud, educators and families can model language to help children as they learn how to set and respect physical boundaries. The author, who hosts workshops and trainings on teaching boundaries and consent for families and early childhood educators around the country, offers additional activities in the back of the book.

We Are in Charge of Our Bodies includes an introduction to adult readers about the book’s topic. Digital content features a letter to share with teachers and families and a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Guided Reading Level: O

Lexile: AD540L 

Centered around a class of preschoolers, the We Say What’s Okay series helps teach young children the social and emotional skills they need to understand the complexities of consent. Each book covers a consent theme, such as how to recognize the physical sensations that emotions create, look for body language cues, ask for and listen to choices, and know that our bodies have value. With believable, everyday situations and diverse characters, children can see themselves and others reflected in each story—and develop a vocabulary to communicate consent and feelings. Every book in the series is accompanied by a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover