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Oddbird
by Derek Desierto
"It's SO hot outside. All the fancy birds are gathered around the water, wishing they could cool off. But they don't want to get wet and ruin their fine feathers. Oddbird isn't worried about his feathers; he wants to go for a refreshing dip. But he doesn't fit in. He's not fancy, or colorful. He's just...different. The other birds don't want him around. How can he join them?"
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Rainbow hat by Hong HaiThis vibrant story follows Bear’s colourful hat as it goes on an unexpected adventure, through all of Bear’s animal friends back to his head, after being blown away by a strong wind.
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| Cat problems by Jory John; illustrated by Lane SmithWhat it's about: the innumerable inconveniences of being a housecat -- as narrated by the cat.
The struggle is real: From inconsiderate sunbeams to scolding squirrels to the dreaded vacuum cleaner, this kitty's over-the-top litany of woes will provoke giggles from even the most incorrigible complainers.
Further reading: Kids who are tickled by this whiny feline might also enjoy the grumpy grousing in Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both by creators Jory John and Lane Smith. |
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Home is in between
by Mitali Perkins
Immigrating to America, a young girl navigates between her family's Bengali traditions and her new country's culture
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| Best day ever! by Marilyn Singer; illustrated by Leah NixonWhat it's about: the highs and lows of a day in the life of one exuberant little dog.
What happens: A romp through the park with her human best friend elicits many declarations of "best day ever!" from the speckled pup; not even a rebuke and bath can dampen her spirits for long. |
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Pouch! by David Ezra SteinLonging to explore his world but unsure about leaving his mother's warm, safe pouch, a curious young joey takes his first hops toward independence, in a bouncy tale by the Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator of Interrupting Chicken. Board book
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Grandpa across the ocean
by Hyewon Yum
When a little boy visits his grandfather on the other side of the ocean, everything is unfamiliar and boring until time together proves that Grandpa can be a lot of fun.
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| Lala's Words by Gracey ZhangWhat it's about: Frenetic city kid Lala loves sitting in the dirt of an empty lot, where she pours her boundless energy into praise and encouragement for the scraggly weeds that grow there.
Why kids might like it: The results of Lala's loving attention will remind readers (of all ages) that words have power, and that we all need support to grow.
Art alert: Black-and-gray backdrops allow Lala's yellow dress and green plants to shine all the brighter. |
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Trashy town by Andrea Griffing ZimmermanLittle by little, can by can, Mr. Gillie, the trash man, cleans up his town. Board book |
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| How to read a book by Kwame Alexander; illustrated by Melissa SweetWhat it is: a heartfelt how-to guide in verse that invites children to go beyond basic words on a page, instead engaging with reading as an immersive, sensory experience.
Why it stands out: Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander's poetry portrays reading as something to savour ("Your eyes need time to taste. Your soul needs room to bloom.”), and award-winning illustrator Melissa Sweet's mixed-media collages provide added dimension through riotous colours, eye-catching patterns, and interactive elements for kids to unfold and peek through. |
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| The book hog by Greg PizzoliStarring: the Book Hog, an avid collector who loves the look, feel, and smell of books -- but who doesn’t know how to read.
Who it’s for: With cheery pastel colours and minimal text, this feel-good book is a strong choice for sharing aloud, as well as for beginning readers (who may identify with the porcine protagonist).
Don’t miss: the way the titles on the Book Hog’s books only become clear after he learns how to read them. |
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| This book of mine by Sarah Stewart; illustrated by David SmallWhat it is: a gentle, affectionate ode to books and the people who love them.
What’s inside: softly ink-washed artwork depicting all the different ways in which books and readers interact, alongside rhyming text that’s framed as a vow: “I take this book to be my friend.”
Who it’s for: young bibliophiles who demand to hear their favourite books again and again and again... |
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| I am a story by Dan YaccarinoWhat it's about: humankind's enduring drive to tell stories with words and pictures, from cave paintings and oral storytelling traditions all the way to TV and ebooks.
Who it's for: With streamlined, stylized illustrations and simple, one-sentence-per-page text, this picture book is both inviting and accessible for very young children, while also offering some big ideas for older kids to mull over.
Look for: the little red bird that appears in every spread of pages. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
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