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CBC
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
The CBC Kids Reads 2025 longlist is here
Social Sharing CBC Kids Reads is back! The third edition of ' Canada Reads for kids' returns, to celebrate 5 of Canada's best picture books. The 2025 longlist is: Shark Girl by Kate Beaton The Only Lonely Fairy by Lana Button, illustrated by Peggy Collins So Loud! by Sahar Golshan, illustrated by Shiva Delsooz Mad at Dad by Janie Hao Benny and the Bananasaurus Rex by Sarabeth Holden, illustrated by Emma Pedersen Cone Dog by Sarah Howden, illustrated by Carmen Mok How to Staycation Like a Snail by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Kelly Collier When You Meet a Dragon by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illustrated by Udayana Lugo The Mango Monster by Derek Mascarenhas, illustrated by Meneka Repka I am a Rock by Ashley Qilavaq-Savard, illustrated by Pelin Turgut Oh! Look, a Boat! by Andrew J. Ross The Hockey Skates by Karl Subban, illustrated by Maggie Zeng The Little Green Envelope by Gillian Sze, illustrated by Claudine Crangle Getting Glam at Gram's by Sara Weed, illustrated by Erin Hawryluk When You Can Swim by Jack Wong The year 2025 marks the 3rd edition of CBC Kids Reads. The shortlist of five Canadian picture books in the running to be crowned this year's champion will be revealed on Sept. 17, each championed by a CBC Kids friend. Last year's winner was picture book Still My Tessa by Sylv Chiang, illustrated by Mathias Ball, championed by Gary the Unicorn. Still My Tessa is a book about practicing with pronouns and accepting people for who they are. Gary the Unicorn picked this title because "it feels like a warm hug for the heart!" Learn more about the 15 books on the CBC Kids Reads 2025 longlist below. Shark Girl by Kate Beaton Kate Beaton's picture book, Shark Girl, blends humour with ethical fishing practices, while subverting the classic mermaid tale. When Shark Girl, who is part human and part shark, gets caught up in the nets of greedy Captain Barrett's fishing boat, she realizes that the Captain is catching fish that he has no intention of eating. So Shark Girl decides to get revenge! The Only Lonely Fairy by Lana Button, illustrated by Peggy Collins Leah's only wish is to find a friend to play fairies with her at school, but when none of her classmates say yes she is left all alone. In the picture book, The Only Lonely Fairy, Leah is in turmoil as she realizes she is the only one reading fairy tales and becomes overwhelmed with sadness when suddenly she catches the faint voice of someone, or something, who might want to be her friend after all. The Only Lonely Fairy is for ages 3 to 6. 15 Canadian back-to-school books for kids and teens Lana Button is a children's writer and educator based in Burlington, Ont. Her other books include Willow Finds a Way which was shortlisted for the Blue Spruce Award and Percy's Perfect Friend. Peggy Collins is a children's author and illustrator of over 35 books including Hungry for Math and In the Garden. She is currently living in Newburgh, Ont. So Loud! by Sahar Golshan, illustrated by Shiva Delsooz In this picture book about owning your voice, Rudābeh, or Rudy, is known for being lively and joyful which makes many of the adults around her often say she's being too loud. Māmān Bozorg, comes to visit from Iran and Rudy decides to try to be quieter for her grandmother but realizes she might be so loud too. So Loud! is Rudy's journey of embracing the noise and knowing when to take up space. So Loud! is for ages 4 to 7. Sahar Golshan is a writer and filmmaker living in Mississauga, Ont. She previously received the 2019 Air Canada Short Film Award for her documentary Kar. Shiva Delsooz is an Ontario-based Iranian-Canadian illustrator. Mad at Dad by Janie Hao Mad at Dad is a lift-the-flap picture book that explores big feelings and managing anger in healthy ways. A little girl gets mad at her dad, but quickly realises she doesn't like the feeling of being mad, except she doesn't know how to stop it. Mad at Dad is for ages 2 to 6. Janie Hao is an illustrator and writer. She has a degree in illustration from Sheridan College and lives in Toronto. Benny and the Bananasaurus Rex by Sarabeth Holden, illustrated by Emma Pedersen In the picture book, Benny the Bananasaurus Rex, Benny knows that if he eats too many bananas, he might turn into one — but that's not going to stop him. After eating bananas morning, noon and night, he becomes a Bananasaurus Rex and silly chaos ensues. Sarabeth Holden is an Inuk author who grew up between Nova Scotia, Nunavut, New Brunswick and Ontario. She is currently the president of the Toronto Inuit Association. Benny the Bananasaurus Rex won the 2024 Blue Spruce Award. Emma Pedersen is a storyteller and illustrator from Ontario. She also illustrated the picture books The Blizzard, written by Heather Main, and Life Cycles of Caribou, written by Monica Ittusardjuat. Cone Dog by Sarah Howden, illustrated by Carmen Mok After a visit to the veterinarian in Cone Dog, a dog named Emma has to wear a plastic cone and quickly learns that there are both advantages and disadvantages to wearing it — it dulls her digging, but also helps scare off the neighbourhood squirrel. She ultimately learns however, that cone or no cone, it's her inventive spirit that makes her who she is. Cone Dog is for ages 3 to 7. 45 picture books to check out this fall Sarah Howden is an author from Toronto. Her previous works include Cone Cat, The Tunnel and 5-Minute Stories for Fearless Girls. Carmen Mok is a Toronto-based illustrator. Some of her other works of illustrations include When I Listen to Silence by Jean E. Pendziwol, Cone Cat by Sarah Howden and A Stopwatch from Grampa by Loretta Garbutt. How to Staycation Like a Snail by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Kelly Collier In the follow-up to How to Party Like a Snail, introverted snail is back and this time he is planning the ultimate staycation with his friend Stump. Snail finds big holidays overwhelming — he much prefers the feeling of returning home at the end of the vacation. So when he and Stump decide to plan a holiday at home, he couldn't be more excited. How to Staycation Like a Snail explores finding joy and adventure in your own backyard. How to Staycation Like a Snail is for ages 4 to 7. Naseem Hrab is a Toronto-based writer and storyteller. She is the author of How to Party Like a Snail, Otis & Peanut, Weekend Dad, which was a finalist for the 2020 Governor General's Literary Prize for young people's literature — illustrated books, and The Sour Cherry Tree, which won the 2022 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — illustrated books. Kelly Collier is a Toronto artist and illustrator. She is the author-illustrator of A Horse Named Steve, Team Steve and the graphic novel Steve, A Pretty Exceptional Horse. Collier is also the illustrator of numerous books including Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle, Izzy's Tail of Trouble, Izzy's Dog Days of Summer and How to Party Like a Snail. When You Meet a Dragon by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illustrated by Udayana Lugo When You Meet a Dragon is a picture book that shows the power of a community working together. When a child sees a dragon in their town they know they couldn't defeat it by themselves, so with a little help from their family and their neighbours, they work together to save their town from the dragon. When You Meet a Dragon is for ages 3 to 5. Tanya Lloyd Kyi has written more than 30 books for children and teenagers, including The Best Way to Get Your Way, This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes, Under Pressure, and Bompa's Insect Expedition, co-written with David Suzuki. Kyi lives in Vancouver. Udayana Lugo is an illustrator who lives in Richmond, B.C. Lugo has illustrated over 15 books, including Jungle Cat, No Huddles for Heloise, City Beet and the CBC Kids Reads 2023 contender Pink is for Everybody!. The Mango Monster by Derek Mascarenhas, illustrated by Meneka Repka In The Mango Monster Marianne and her cousin Zoe are trying to solve the mystery of who is stealing the mangoes from their mango tree. They have waited all year for mango season, so when mangos start to disappear from the lower branches of their trees, they are determined to find out who is responsible. Could it be a mango monster? The Mango Monster is for ages 4 to 7. The best Canadian books for kids & teens in 2024 Derek Mascarenhas is a Toronto writer. His previous books include the short story collection, Coconut Dreams, and the picture book, 100 Chapatis, which was illustrated by Shantala Robinson. Meneka Repka is Sri Lankan-Canadian illustrator and teacher. The Mango Monster is her first children's book. Repka lives in Victoria. I am a Rock by Ashley Qilavaq-Savard, illustrated by Pelin Turgut At bedtime, Pauloosie asks his Anaana, or mother, what rocks would say to us if they could. In I Am A Rock, Pauloosie's pet rock, Miki Rock describes all that it can see, feel and hear as part of the land in the Arctic from the winds to the animals, the northern lights and more. I Am A Rock is for ages 3 to 5. Ashley Qilavaq-Savard is an Inuk writer and artist from Iqaluit. She is the author of Where the Sea Kuniks the Land and I Am A Rock is her first picture book. Qilavaq-Savard also makes sealskin and beaded jewellery and studies Inuktitut. CBC Books named Qilavaq-Savard a writer to watch in 2024. Pelin Turgut is a children's book illustrator from Turkey. Oh! Look, a Boat! by Andrew J. Ross Oh! Look, a Boat! follows the journey of an inquisitive mouse who discovers a little boat and decides to hop on board. The boat drifts off and the mouse realizes it is too late to get off. The boat takes the mouse on a journey through the sea, encountering a storm, a waterfall and other perils, before safely bringing the mouse back home. Oh! Look, a Boat! is for ages 3 to 7. Andrew J. Ross is a writer, an illustrator, a designer and a storyboard artist. He has previously illustrated two picture books, Birthday on Mars! and Heart on Pluto. Ross lives in Toronto. The Hockey Skates by Karl Subban, illustrated by Maggie Zeng Inspired by his NHL hockey player son P.K. Subban, Karl Subban shares the story of young P.K. waiting for his new skates in The Hockey Skates. With each new delivery that arrives not being the right skates — whether it's the wrong colour or size, P.K. learns to persevere and remain optimistic in this comical story. Karl Subban has been a coach, teacher, principal and the father to three NHL hockey players. Subban, who resides in Ontario, is also the author of How We Did It: The Subban Plan for Success in Hockey, School and Life. Maggie Zeng is a Montreal-based student at Concordia University. She is an illustrator, animator and concept artist of children's books. The first picture book she illustrated is This Is the Boat That Ben Built. The Little Green Envelope by Gillian Sze, illustrated by Claudine Crangle In The Little Green Envelope, Olive has a little green envelope that wants to be chosen to be delivered to Olive's friend that has moved away. Just like Olive, the little green envelope also longs to travel. But will the envelope's wish come true? The Little Green Envelope is for ages 3 to 6. 12 Canadian books for younger children this summer Gillian Sze is a Montreal-based writer and teacher who is originally from Winnipeg. Some of her other books for children include The Night Is Deep and Wide, My Love for You Is Always and You Are My Favorite Color, which was a finalist for the Quebec Writers' Federation Award. Her poetry collections include Quiet Night Think, which won the 2023 Pat Lowther Memorial Award. Claudine Crangle is a Toronto-based author and multidisciplinary artist whose previous picture books include writing and illustrating Priscilla Pack Rat, Woolfred Cannot Eat Dandelions and The House Next Door. Getting Glam at Gram's by Sara Weed, illustrated by Erin Hawryluk In Getting Glam at Gram's Alex and their cousins love Sunday dinner at their Gram's house — the whole family gets together and puts on a playful fashion show borrowed from Gram's different outfits from across the decades. Getting Glam at Gram's celebrates gender expression and learning to be yourself and getting glamorous! Getting Glam at Gram's is for ages 3 to 8. Sara Weed is a queer writer and educator. Weed lives in rural Ontario. Erin Hawryluk is an Ontario-based illustrator, artist and designer. WATCH | Sara Weed and Erin Hawryluk share their book, Getting Glam at Gram's, on CBC Kids Book Club: When You Can Swim by Jack Wong When You Can Swim is a picture book that encourages children to overcome their fears of the water. In the book, an adult explains to a young girl the joys and surprises of swimming. Jack Wong is a Halifax-based author and illustrator who was born in Hong Kong but grew up in Vancouver. He won the 2023 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — illustrated books for his picture book When You Can Swim, which he wrote and illustrated.
CBC
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
8 great comics featured on Bookends with Mattea Roach
Mattea Roach is a big fan of comics — after all, they won Canada Reads in 2023 with their defence of Ducks by Kate Beaton. So it makes sense that the first season of CBC Radio's Bookends with Mattea Roach featured a lot of great comics and graphic novels. On the show, Roach talks to authors from Canada and around the world. And here are the creators of comics Roach sat down with this year. Degrees of Separation by Alison McCreesh Degrees of Separation blends stories, drawings and sketches that chronicle Alison McCreesh's decade spent living in the North. From being stranded in the High Arctic to raising a baby in a small shack with no running water, the book is a coming-of-age story that recounts the challenges and joys of life living and working north of the 60th parallel. McCreesh is an artist who currently lives in Yellowknife. She has travelled around the Arctic, and the theme of contemporary day-to-day life in the North carries through her creative work. All Our Ordinary Stories by Teresa Wong In the graphic memoir All Our Ordinary Stories, Teresa Wong uses spare black-and-white illustrations and thought-provoking prose to unpack how intergenerational trauma and resilience can shape our identities. Starting with her mother's stroke a decade ago, Wong takes a journey through time and place to find the origin of her feelings of disconnection from her parents. Something, Not Nothing by Sarah Leavitt Following the medically assisted death of her partner of 22 years, cartoonist Sarah Leavitt began small sketches that quickly became something new and unexpected to her — the graphic memoir Something, Not Nothing. The abstract images mixed with poetic text, layers of watercolour, ink and coloured pencil combine to tell a story of love, grief, peace and new beginnings. Final Cut by Charles Burns In Final Cut, childhood friends Brian and Jimmy set out to create a sci-fi horror movie using an old eight-millimetre camera. With Laurie as Brian's muse, they trek to a remote cabin in the mountains and Brian struggles with finding the balance between his dreams and reality. Charles Burns is an American cartoonist. His graphic novel Black Hole won Eisner, Harvey and Ignatz awards. He is the cover artist for The Believer and has made covers for Time, The New Yorker and The New York Times Sunday Magazine. Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley The Scott Pilgrim series is about an unemployed 23-year-old Torontonian, the titular character, who's going through a breakup. But when he falls for the enigmatic Ramona Flowers, he must face off against her seven evil exes in order to continue their relationship. Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life is the first book in the series. Bryan Lee O'Malley's career in comics took off after publishing Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life, the first in a Toronto-centric series about an indie music-loving nerd who must defeat his girlfriend Ramona's seven evil exes. The bestselling books later became a film starring Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Brie Larson. O'Malley followed up this success with the acclaimed graphic novel Seconds and another series called Snot Girl with Leslie Hung. Q&A Before the internet, many comic books included a section to send letters to the creators and get insight into their work and their process. When cartoonist Adrian Tomine was growing up, he would send those letters — and now he's answering them. Q&A dives into the questions he most often hears from readers, and responds to them with a combination of words, photos and illustrations. American cartoonist Adrian Tomine is best known for his series Optic Nerve, his memoir and his work in The New Yorker. He lives in Brooklyn. Acme Novelty Datebook: Volume Three by Chris Ware Acme Novelty Datebook: Volume Three is the third and final instalment of a series that offers readers a look into American cartoonist Chris Ware's personal sketchbooks. covers the last 20 years and tells of his journey into fatherhood and the rise of social media. Ware is the author and illustrator of Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth, which won the Guardian First Book Award in 2001, Building Stories and Rusty Brown, which was a finalist for the PEN/Jean Stein award. He has designed 32 covers for The New Yorker and his work has been exhibited in many museums worldwide. Spent by Alison Bechdel In Spent, a cartoonist named Alison Bechdel grapples with her complicated relationship with capitalism, community and activism after the success of her memoir and its subsequent TV adaptation.
