Books can be educational, but they can also be so much fun! Entire worlds of whimsical characters and exciting stories open up every time you flip open the cover of a book. And if the book is full of bright and beautiful illustrations, it’s sure to capture the attention of the little ones in your life.
If, like me, you cannot wait for the children in your life to become avid bookworms just like you, check out these children’s picture books that will make reading both fun and educational for them. And before you know it, they’ll be well on their way to becoming lifelong readers.
Pirate Glitterbeard, written and illustrated by Oksanna & Larissa Crawley (Rebel Mountain Press)
“Alone in his cabin, Pirate Glitterbeard sprinkled pink glitter onto his beard and put on his finest pink skirt!”
All aboard The Heart’s Desire! Pirate Glitterbeard loves everything pink and glittery. Will his crew rebel when they find out? In this glitter bomb of self-acceptance and expression, the characters unite through mutual respect and support (and a little bit of sparkle), encouraging one another to be their most authentic selves while living their best lives. This is a great book for the 4-8 year-olds in your life.
Out now!
Beep Beep Bubbie by Bonnie Sherr Klein, illustrated by Élisabeth Eudes-Pascal (Tradewind Books)
Kate is upset when her grandma (Bubbie) gets a motorized scooter. Will Bubbie still be Bubbie in that scooter? Kate, along with her baby brother Nate, go on a journey of fun and discovery with their Bubbie in this picture book full of vibrancy and energy: from Granville Island to climate marches to learning about disability rights. Here’s an excerpt to pique your interest:
“Would you like a ride on my scooter?” offered Bubbie.
“No, not now, Bubbie. Maybe later. What fun can we have on a scooter anyway?”
“Lots of fun!”
“But how can we get to Granville Island?”
“Simple. We take the bus. It has a ramp for us.”
Out now!
We’re Happy You’re Here by Julie Wilkins, illustrated by Brady Sato (Orca Book Publishers)
Thoughtful, simple text leaves room for readers to bring their own experiences and meaning to the story, while contemporary illustrations depict a variety of diverse families and the people who support them.
Out now!
Nuptse and Lhotse in the Land of the Great Lakes by Jocey Asnong (Rocky Mountain Books)
Come along on a new and wonderous journey to the landscapes surrounding the Great Lakes with the adventurous cats, Nuptse and Lhotse! The duo are off on another great adventure, this time searching for the Sugar Forest Festival with their new friend Ruckus Raccoon.
Available May 21, 2024!
I Am Everything in Between, written and illustrated by Sydney Sunderland (Rebel Mountain Press)
It’s not always as simple as being a boy or a girl. Sometimes we’re born one thing, but feel something else. I Am Everything In Between is for kids who may not fit into stereotypical gender ideals. No matter what gender you were born, it’s OK to feel like a boy. It’s OK to feel like a girl. It’s OK to feel like both, and it’s OK to feel like everything in between.
Out now!
The Seventh Direction: A Legend of Creation by Kevin Locke, illustrated by Kristy Cameron (Medicine Wheel Publishing)
In this enlightening legend shared by Lakota Elder Kevin Locke, Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka (The Great Spirit) created the entire world in seven days; leaving the most precious creation for last.
Excerpt from a review by Publishers Weekly: “Fully immersive and thought-provoking, Locke’s sage picture book will appeal to visionary younger readers who can grasp the teaching that humans must rediscover their link to the natural world, to “be a good relative, not just to the two-leggeds, but to all of creation”—a timely message.”
Out now!
Mwâkwa Talks to the Loon, written and illustrated by Dale Auger (Heritage House Publishing)
Illustrated with the powerful paintings of the late Dale Auger, this new edition of the award-winning Mwâkwa Talks to the Loon teaches valuable lessons and includes a Cree glossary and pronunciation guide.
Available May 21, 2024!
Otter Doesn’t Know by Andrea Fritz (Orca Book Publishers)
The text includes names and words in Hul’q’umi’num’, an Indigenous language spoken on and around Vancouver Island, British Columbia. A glossary, pronunciation guide, and introduction to Hul’q’umi’num’ are included in the back matter.
The illustrations follow the Coast Salish art tradition of combining four basic shapes in both positive and negative space. Author/illustrator Andrea Fritz studied with Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw artist and master carver Victor Newman. She shares Coast Salish stories, both traditional ones learned orally and new ones created from modern experience, with school children throughout British Columbia.
Out now!
Every Child Matters by Phyllis Webstad, illustrated by Karlene Harvey (Medicine Wheel Publishing)
Bestselling Kids Book in Canada for five consecutive weeks in 2023.
Every Child Matters honours the history and resiliency of Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island and moves us all forward on a path toward Truth and Reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day founder, Phyllis Webstad, offers insights into this heartfelt movement in which kids can learn the meaning behind the phrase ‘Every Child Matters.’
Out now!
The Heart of a River by Eileen Delehanty Pearkes, illustrated by Nichola Lytle (Rocky Mountain Books)
This story of the Columbia River is unique. Told from the river’s perspective, it is an immersive, empathetic portrait of a once-wild river and of the Sinixt, a First People who lived on the mainstem of this great western river for thousands of years and continue to do so even though Canada declared them “extinct” in 1956.
Lavishly illustrated by Nelson, BC, designer Nichola Lytle, this portrait of a globally significant river will inspire anyone who reads it to care about the future of the salmon, a fish that unites all of us in its quest for freedom and possibility.
Out now!
Jennie Butchart: Gardener of Dreams by Haley Healey, illustrated by Kimiko Fraser (Heritage House Publishing)
The story of a Victoria woman’s brilliant idea to transform a barren pit into the world-famous Butchart Gardens. This is a great picture book for kids to learn about our local history while being mesmerized by the gorgeous illustrations.
Available May 14, 2024!