I don’t usually give star ratings for the titles I recommend, but the picture books listed below are exquisite examples of the merit of picture books and each would get 5 stars from Dr. Larry.
BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US by Mia Wenjin; Illus. Violeta Encarnacion / 2026 / The Immigrant Experience
The author chose to tell a circulatory story about experiences behind barbed wire. We are presented with two stories of immigration: One set in. a Japanese internment camp in Oklahoma dring World War II, drawn from the author’s own Japanese American family experiences, The parallel story is a contemporary migrant story set in the same camp The form of this book is a reverse poem which tells a story in verse and uses the same verses, but in reverse, to tell a different story. The context of the two narratives changes with the illustrations that accompany them. This choice of writing demands much care and editing to make it work and Mia Wenjin along withe her illustrator. Violeta Encarnacion, have done a masterful job of crafting the circular format that serves as a metaphor for history repeating itself. The Barbed Wire Between Us demands re-readings. inspiring thoughtful reflection of the immigrant experience., yesterday and today.I predict awards for this stellar picture book achievement achievement.
Excerpt
“We created beauty with what little we had.
In this time of despair, we experienced the kindness of strangers.”
DEAR ACORN, LOVE OAK: Letter poems to friends by Joyse Sidman; Illus. Melissa Sweet / 2025 / Poetry
I’m always on the look-out for books of poetry that ignite the imagination and feeling and invite us to observe and appreciate things, large or small in the world around us. I am appreciative of the recommendation by a colleague to this wonderful book. In this publication, Joyce Sidman sends messages to such topics as bubbles, clouds, pebbles, buttons, toes and sea turtles. The free verse poems are written as letters and what is especially clever is that the page that follows each artifact provides a back-and-forth mirror poem as a response to the letter. For example: ‘Toes’ sends a message to ‘Dear Child’ and in the subsequent spread, child writes To My Toes’. Any book illustrated by Melissa Sweet is worth paying attention to. Her fragmented, collage-like, brightlyy colured fragmented images are brilliant poems of art in themselves. A special bonus of this publication is a final page that invites students to write letter poems of their own. The step by step procedures is sure to lead to successful poetry writing in the classroom.
Sample
Button:
Not sure what’s
ahead
but I’m all about
warmth
and you
hold things together
so let’s greet
what’s next
with open arms,
Hugs
Coat
THE SEA WE CALL HOME by Dominique Demers; Illus. Gabrielle Grimard
Little Gnouf and Mirabelle are off to the sea for the first time and upon arrival they were enchanted to witness “bright blue sky, silky blue water with golden sun sparkling on the waves.” However, they were troubled when they encountered a baby whale lying in the sand trapped in a fishing net. Desperate to get the creature back into the water, the two friends and with the help of a sand crab, seagulls, the baby whale was returned to its mother. The reunion is celebrated with mother whale and baby taking both Gnoufs deep into sea to encounter the enchantment of fish and sea creatures of all sizes. Like the two characters in this story, young readers will consider the perils that creatures may encounter but also delight in the wonders of sea life. Pardon the pun, but this is a ‘whale of a picture book’ that offers a powerful rescue story, information about whales and a journey into the world under the sea. Dominque Demers storytelling is told with simplicity, adventure and compassion. Gabrielle Grimard’s remarkable illustrations beautifully capture story events and present a beautiful catalogue of a sea environment. This is a captivating picture book to treasure!
NOTE: Three wonderful Pajama Press nonfiction picture book titles have recently been released in new formats
> SECRET GARDENS: Growing a Community and Healing the Earth by Maija Hurme and Lina Laurent / 2021/2025 / (paperback)
> WAIT LIKE. A SEED by Erin Alladin; illustrated by Tara Anderson / 2025 (paperback)
> A WORLD OF KINDNESS from the editors and illustrators of Pajama Press / 2018 /2026
SOMETIMES I CRY x2
I am interested in collecting books that deal with Social Emotional Intelligence. The act of crying is the result of a range of emotions: sadness, joy, embarrassment, hurt, surprise frustration etc. The following three books offer stories and illustrations that help young readers consider the times they might shed tears whether they weep, bawl, howl, whimper, or sob.
SOMETIMES I CRY… SOMETIMES I LAUGH by Kristin Mareilla Fridjonsdottir; Illus. Una Lorenzenm/ 2019
This is a back to front, front to back book that acknowledges and respects emotions that make us cry and/or laugh.
SOMETIMES I CRY by Sherri Sutton-Johnson / 2024 / Death, Loss and Remembrance
This book chronicles the life of a young girl who reflects on the painful and joyful memories of her beloved mother who died.
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SHOUT OUT
Death Loss and Remembrance
‘Death Loss and Remembrance’ may be considered a tough topic to engage young readers with but there are many picture books and novels that have been written to help readers deal with loss and grief (see Teaching Tough Topics, Chapter 78). Award-winning British author Michael Rosen lost his son, Eddie. The picture book The Sad Book was a way for Rosen to deal with and share the sorrow and sadness he experienced when his son died. . Years have passed and Where Are You, Eddie? provided the author to write another heartwarming story of remembrance and acceptance..
THE SAD BOOK by Michael Rosen; Illus. Quentin Blake / 2004
Michael Rosen’s son, Eddie suddenly died from menangitis in 1999 at the age of 18. The Sad Book is Michael Rosen’s artistic expression about the grief over Eddie’s passing. Though a personal story, the picture book speaks to everyone who knows what it’s like to feel deeply sad. This is an exceptional, heart-squeezing reflection about sadness, anger, and even laughter. Quentin Blake’s illustrations provide a masterful representation of the author’s feelings and memories.
Excerpts
“What makes me most sad is when I think about my son Eddie. He died. I loved him very, very much but he died anyway.
“Sometimes I ‘m sad and I don’t know why. Its just a clous that comes along and covers me up.”
“Sad is a place / that is deep and dark / like the space / under the bed.”
WHERE ARE YOU EDDIE? by Michael Rosen; Illus. Gill Smith / 2026
Michael Rosen’s son, Eddie died many years ago (1999) but has he really gone? In this exquisite picture book, the author visits places and people that were once part of Eddie’s life and in this way, Eddie is still here, alive in memories. Cleverly, the story is told as an imagined conversation with Rosen’s cat, Meg. I don’t think I will read a picture book this year that is filled with as much heart, page by page. “Writing this book has helped me and my feelings. If you’re someone who is finding the loss of someone hard, I hope this book helps you.” (Author’s note). This is book is certain to ignite cherished memories and stories for any reader who has experienced loss – a book for everyone!
Excerpt
Eddies not coming back, is he Meg? Eddies not here. Here’s not there. He’s not anywhere. Is that the end?”
Meg looked up, “No, it’s the beginning,’ she said. “The beginning of what?” I asked
Meg replied, “Just wait and see. saying it’s the end will stop you seeing what’s there.”
… Meg went on. If you look for him, you’ll find him. Not the way he was, but he’ll be there.”
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SHOUT OUT
THE CANADIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTRE
What are some of your favourite Canadian Picture Book titles published over the past five decades?
For 50 years, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) has celebrated stories that come from the minds and hearts of Canadian writers and illustrators. You will find many of them included in our 50 Must Read Canadian Picture Books: Recommended by the CCBC in Celebration of our 50th Anniversary