I Read Canadian is a national day of celebration of Canadian books for young people. It’s a day to celebrate the richness, diversity, and breadth of local literature — and a chance to challenge your fellow book people to dedicate just fifteen minutes to reading Canadian! Not sure where to start? Read on for a list of locally published, Canadian-authored book recommendations for readers of all ages.
For more information, visit ireadcanadian.ca/day. Tell us what you’re reading by tagging @ReadLocalBC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and using the hashtag #IReadCanadian.
Picture Books & Early Readers
Good Morning, Takaya by Cheryl Alexander and Alex Van Tol
(RMB | Rocky Mountain Books; out March 2021)
From conservation photographer Cheryl Alexander — whose book for adults, Takaya, was a bestselling BC book of 2020 — comes another iteration of Takaya’s story, this time aimed at young readers. From the publisher: “Takaya, the lone wolf, wakes up on a quiet bluff and sets out to discover the calm, gentle beauty of his coastal home. Encountering a variety of colours and other wildlife, and witnessing the beauty of the natural world, Takaya spends his day wandering, hunting, eating, howling, resting, and sleeping.” Available as both a board book and as a picture book.
Come, Read with Me by Margriet Ruurs, illustrated by Christine Wei
(Orca Book Publishers; out May 2021)
Two children journey through the magical lands of bedtime stories in this charming tale. The cadence makes Come, Read with Me an excellent read-aloud with a classic children’s literature seek-and-find for readers of all ages. A celebration of stories and reading.
We All Play by Julie Flett
(Greystone Kids; out May 2021)
From the author and illustrator of Birdsong, this story celebrates humans and animals who love to play — and to nudge and nuzzle, rumble and roll! Flett’s distinct illustrations, filled with warmth and texture, complement this sweet story which reminds us of the interconnectedness of all life, as children shout, “We play too! / kimêtawânaw mîna” Includes a glossary of Cree words.
Middle Grade
What’s in it for Me? by LS Stone
(Rebel Mountain Press; out March 2021)
LS Stone’s What’s in It for Me? is the first in a series of books about young people making a difference. Friends Nick and Trevor have different goals in life: Nick is intent on becoming a famous rock star, while Trevor is intent on convincing Nick, he should volunteer with a changemaker organization. Despite dreams of rocking out and surfing in Tofino, Nick ends up at an elephant refuge in Thailand. It’s at the refuge where Nick begins to see just how much of an impact a person can have on the world, if they learn to care about more than just themselves.
The King of Jam Sandwiches by Eric Walters
(Orca Book Publishers)
Robbie’s dad isn’t like most dads. He occasionally wakes Robbie up in the middle of the night to ponder deep philosophical questions. He has a knack for leaving Robbie, sometimes for a whole week, with no word of where he’s going. This leaves Robbie in a precarious state: afraid of being on his own, but equally terrified of ending up in foster care. When Robbie runs afoul of Harmony, the new girl at school, it’s an opportunity to connect with someone he has more in common with than he realizes. King of the Jam Sandwiches (Orca Book Publishers) by Eric Walters is a heartfelt tale about the toll poverty and mental illness has on children and their families.
Kiddo by Cynthia Nugent
(Tradewind Books)
This story, set in the 1960s, follows budding journalist Kiddo as she competes in the local paper’s Junior Journalist contest. Filled with funny twists and turns (Kiddo has to recover a stolen racetrack horse and enter a talent show, among other trials), this delightful chapter book is a tale of perseverance and creative thinking.
YA & Beyond
Green Glass Ghosts by Rae Spoon; illustrated by Gem Hall
(Arsenal Pulp Press; out May 2021)
Writer and musician Rae Spoon’s latest book, Green Glass Ghosts takes us back in time, to the dawn of the new millennium. We meet the narrator as they get off a bus in downtown Vancouver, full of hopes for a fresh start. The ensuing narrative grapples with the tension of living in a city surrounded by beauty, but full of folks scraping to get by. A touching glimpse into the realities of young queer life: of navigating trauma and learning to heal, perfect for readers who may be sussing out their own coming-of-age.
Kamloopa by Kim Senklip Harvey
(Talonbooks)
Set around the largest Powwow on the west coast, Kim Senklip Harvey’s Kamloopa is a raucous tale of reconnecting with Ancestors and homeland. How do two urban Indigenous women go about discovering who they are when a certain colonizer allegedly has already done so? They forge strong matriarchal relationships and look to their kin in this boundary-blurring play that serves as a reminder to always “dance like your Ancestors are watching.”
It’s All Good (Unless It’s Not): Mental Health Tips and Self-Care Strategies for Your Undergrad Years by Nicole Malette
(UBC Press)
Going to university or college is supposed to be an exciting time, full of new experiences and the opportunity to reinvent yourself — but often (and this year in particular) it can also be incredibly stressful and challenging. Nicole Mallete draws on her own experiences, both as a student and as a researcher, to offer up tips and strategies to support students along the journey of post-secondary education.