WHEN WE WERE ALONE, by David A. Robertson, Julie Flett, Highwater Press

When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother's garden, she begins to notice things that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long braided hair and beautifully colored clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is … Continue reading WHEN WE WERE ALONE, by David A. Robertson, Julie Flett, Highwater Press

FISH GIRL, by Wiesner & Napoli, Clarion Books

Who is Fish Girl? What is Fish Girl? She lives in a tank in a boardwalk aquarium. She is the main attraction, though visitors never get more than a glimpse of her. She has a tail. She can't walk. She can't speak. But she can make friends with Livia, an ordinary girl, and yearn for … Continue reading FISH GIRL, by Wiesner & Napoli, Clarion Books

CAUGHT, by Lisa Moore, House of Anansi

I have a different cover. (Movie Tie-In) Caught begins with a prison break. Twenty-five-year-old David Slaney, locked up on charges of marijuana possession, has escaped his cell and sprinted to the highway. There, he is picked up by a friend of his sister’s and transported to a strip bar where he survives his first night … Continue reading CAUGHT, by Lisa Moore, House of Anansi

THE GIRL WITH THE GHOST MACHINE, by Lauren DeStefano, Bloomsbury

When Emmaline Beaumont's father started building the ghost machine, she didn't expect it to bring her mother back from the dead. But by locking himself in the basement to toil away at his hopes, Monsieur Beaumont has become obsessed with the contraption and neglected the living, and Emmaline is tired of feeling forgotten. Nothing good … Continue reading THE GIRL WITH THE GHOST MACHINE, by Lauren DeStefano, Bloomsbury

THE BETTER TREE FORT, by Jessica Scott Kerri, Pictures by Qin Leng, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press

  “Let’s build a tree fort,” Russell says to his dad when they move into a house with a big maple tree in the backyard. His dad doesn’t know much about building, but he gamely follows Russell’s plan. Several trips to the lumber store later, the tree fort is done. There is no slide, balcony … Continue reading THE BETTER TREE FORT, by Jessica Scott Kerri, Pictures by Qin Leng, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press

NO HUGS FOR PORCUPINE, by Zoe Waring, Illustrated by T.L. Bonaddio, Running Press/Kids

Embrace what makes you unique and encourage compassionate friendships with Porcupine and Armadillo in this delightful picture book that makes a great gift for Valentine's Day or for any day when a hug (or kiss) is needed. Poor Porcupine just cannot be hugged-his quills are too spikey! Each night, before settling down to sleep, all … Continue reading NO HUGS FOR PORCUPINE, by Zoe Waring, Illustrated by T.L. Bonaddio, Running Press/Kids

THEY SAY BLUE, By Jillian Tamaki, Caldecott Honor Winner, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press

Caldecott and Printz Honor-winning illustrator Jillian Tamaki brings us a poetic exploration of colour and nature from a young child’s point of view. They Say Blue follows a young girl as she contemplates colours in the known and the unknown, in the immediate world and the world beyond what she can see. The sea looks … Continue reading THEY SAY BLUE, By Jillian Tamaki, Caldecott Honor Winner, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press