Latest news with #PictureBooks
CBC
6 days ago
- 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.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The 18 best books for your kids this summer holiday
Picture Books SLEEP TIGHT, DISGUSTING BLOB by Huw Aaron (Puffin £7.99, 32pp) A monstrously original twist on a bedtime story in which Disgusting Blob is lulled to sleep with tales of how the other evil creatures are settling down: the Goblins and Glitches, the Werewolves and Witches – even Dracula has cleaned his fangs . . . Full of reassurance, humour and brilliant illustrations. WILD by Katya Balen, Illustrated by Gill Smith (Walker Books £12.99, 32pp) A little girl thrives in the wildness of the woods until her family move to the city. There she sees nothing but grey and worries she has 'lost my wild'. But even urban landscapes keep secrets and by following a bird she discovers that there is nature in everything – if you know where to look. An absolute joy. LETTERS TO A MONSTER by Patricia Forde, Illustrated by Sarah Warburton (Bloomsbury £12.99, 32pp) Sophie writes to the monster under her bed, demanding he leave or she'll call the Monster Police. But he replies to say he has already left, because of the gorilla hiding there . . . A friendship grows and Sophie realises she'd like the monster to come back. Perfect bedtime reading. GOZZLE by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie (Macmillan £12.99, 48pp) It's spring and a gosling hatches and believes Bear, emerging from winter sleep, is his Daddy. Nothing Bear does can shake off devoted Gozzle until summer arrives, bringing a family with whom he migrates for winter. Bear is bereft – until a lovely twist brings a happy ending. Superb. FRANK THE PIZZA by Eoin McLaughlin, Illustrated by Mike Byrne (HarperCollins £7.99, 32pp) His parents know that a little slice of pizza like Frank is too tempting, so when he's invited to a birthday party they protect him by topping him with anchovies and olives. He's shunned, until he meets Frances the cupcake, with similarly unappetising icing... Full of gourmet giggles and silliness. I COULD BE EATEN BY A SHARK by Marcela Ferreira, Illustrated by Mark Chambers (OUP £7.99, 32pp) Soothing young children's anxieties gets a clever spin in this story of Louie, terrified that he could be eaten by a shark wherever he goes – even in the park. Wise Grandpa recounts the story of the bear he feared, until he realised it was stopping him having fun. Gradually Louie gets his life back, with a delightful surprise ending. Young Fiction A MERMAID'S DIARY by Chris Riddell (Macmillan £12.99, 240pp) Sleepy Cove, home of little mermaid Atalanta, is under threat from unscrupulous developers. Outraged Atalanta gathers her 300 siblings and friends to protect the beach. Packed with puns and cultural jokes, Riddell's illustrations are stunning. Age 7+ HOW TO BE A SPY by Cecily Sawyer, Illustrated by David Tazzyman (HarperCollins £7.99, 240pp) Despite being only ten, Cecily is training to be a spy – assisted by her mouse, Mrs Maple Syrup. But when her parents go missing, Cecily's ability to code-crack and use gadgets prove vital in tracking down the gang who have taken her family. A must for every would-be 007. 8+ THE BOY WITH THE BIG DECISIONS by Helen Rutter (Scholastic £7.99, 360pp) This book gives readers the choice of where the story goes. Fred's parents make all his decisions – including his school. But Fred prefers the artistic Browtree academy, so when the bus arrives on his first day he (and you) must decide – should he pretend to be a pupil there? 8+ SCHOOL FOR FIREFLIES by Erica Gomez (Knights Of £7.99, 268pp) When friends Siddy and Zadie are enrolled in a secret, magic school, they discover both their fathers had gone there. But Siddy's dad is missing – accused of killing three former students – so when the girls find a lost diary they must use their powers to expose the enemy. Rip-roaring stuff. 9+ HIDDEN TREASURE by Jessie Burton (Bloomsbury £14.99, 320pp) During the First World War, Thames mudlark Bo finds precious jewels on the shore. But wicked Lord Muncaster demands she hand over the stones – sparking a thrilling mystery of treachery and deceit. The mystical power of grief that drives this life or death drama is deeply moving. 9+ THE BLOCKBUSTERS! by Frank Cottrell-Boyce (Macmillan £12.99, 258pp) When his mum loses her job, Rafa starts a new school where an inspirational teacher takes him to watch a movie being filmed locally. His resemblance to the child star, BB, leads to him being her body double – until she disappears, and Rafa finds himself on a madcap journey to Hollywood . . . Action-packed. 9+ THE DAWN OF ADONIS by Phil Earle (Andersen Press £7.99, 240pp) This prequel to Earle's award- winning When The Sky Falls gives the backstory of how Adonis, a silverback gorilla, came to London Zoo during the Second World War. When the baby ape is born at the docks, Toff and vet's daughter Nettie fight to rescue him from Toff's boss, an evil trader in exotic pets. 9+ YA THE OTHER GIRL by Emily Barr (Penguin £8.99, 368pp) Rich, troubled teen Tabbi is heading for a Swiss rehab clinic when she meets broke backpacker Ruby on a train and persuades her to swap identities. But who is conning whom? This thriller keeps you guessing until the end. 13+ BEST OF ALL WORLDS by Kenneth Oppel (Guppy Books £14.99, 256pp) Teenage Xavier, his father and stepmother wake up to find their house transported to an isolated setting. Yet all that's needed to survive is provided. Are they trapped or protected? Then another family arrives – but the dad is determined to escape. Who knows the truth? Gripping. 13+ LIVE by Luke Palmer (Firefly £9.99, 356pp) George is the driving force of his sixth-form band, but when tragedy strikes, everyone has to find their own way through grief. Tackling hard-hitting issues of online porn and sexism, this is authentic in its portrayal of teen boys, yet ultimately uplifting. 14+ Non-fiction THERE WAS A ROMAN IN YOUR GARDEN by Bettany Hughes, Illustrated by Nathan Reed (Puffin, £8.99 224pp) Historian Bettany Hughes asks readers to imagine they have dug up Roman artefacts in their garden and explore what it was like to a be a child 2,000 years ago through things as varied as jewels and knucklebones. Fact-filled, fascinating and fun. 7+ CHOOSE YOUR OWN EVOLUTION by Jules Howard Illustrated by Gordy Wright (Nosy Crow £14.99, 112pp) The premise here is intriguing – starting with the most primitive blob, you choose the next step in an evolutionary journey to discover which creature you might develop into next. (But be careful you don't become extinct . . .) 8+
