The list below highlights some very special picture books that delight, inform and engage readers of all ages. Also included is a list of titles nominated for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book award (winner to be announced on October 28, 2024)
THE COMFORT TREE by Holly Carr
A number of forest animals find comfort around magnificent oak tree that stands deep in the forest. Throughout the four seasons, each animal (e.g. Raven, Fox, Squirrel, Bear, Blue Jay) finds a special kind of solace and comfort amidst the tall tree. In the later part of the book, the animals can be heard calling good night to each other from the boughs of the tree giving each other company and comfort. Holly Carr’s text is spare and succinct each of the animals’ actions. Her staggering silk paintings with vivid jewel-like colours and patterns gloriously fill each spread. The Comfort Tree is a rich contribution to books on positive mental health; beautiful told story centred on healing and community. The story acknowledges that this picture book was created from the spirit of “The Portapique Story Trails Project” and was written for the community of Portapique, Nova Scotia.
Raven finds comfort froj the top of the tree.
Fox finds comfort in the whilring leaves that match its fur.
Squirrel finds comfort in the acorns it has stowed away for winter.
Blue Jays find comfort playing in the tree’s canopy.
HOMELAND: My Father Dreams of Palestine by Hanna Moushabeck; Illus, Reem Madooh
Three young girls enjoy listening to their father’s stories of his faraway homeland, Palestine. The sounds and smells and joys of the Old City of Jerusalem come to life as the father’s memories are recounted. Remembrances of vendors and buildings and everyday happenings are depicted in clear, livelywords and pictures. The daughters long to see place that they have never been and cannot visit. This autobiographical story is a celebration of home, memory, immigration and hope.
The cafe was a popular destination for great thinkers. Poets, musicians, historians and storytellers gathered to listen to the exchange of ideas at al-Mukhtar’s cafe.
I LOVE MY TEACHER! by Todd Parr (2016)
Todd Parr’s books follow a simple pattern listing different descriptions of simple – but important = topics (e.g., Reading Makes You Feel Good: The Peace Book, The Family Book). In this titles, Todd Parr creates his recognizable bright colourful illustrations to accompany statements about the wonder things that teachers do for their students. This is another wonderful wonderful book by the wonderful wonderful Todd Parr.
Teachers encourage you to be creative.
They help you find new talents.
…
Teachers encourage you to try your best.
Most of all, they love to see you succeed.
A FIREFLY NAMED FELIX b y Deanna Hart; illus. Chrish Vindhy
What do you know about fireflies? Did you know that they can communicate with each other by lighting up thier bodies. Alas, not all fireflies can light up. Poor Felix. He doesn’t have the power to light up and can’t join in with his friends to play a game of lightning tag. When others make fun of him by laughing, teasing and bullying him, Alex gets upset about not being able to belong. This is an engaging story that shines brightly on the shelf of books that deal with bullying, exclusion and feeling different. Hooray for fireflies! Hooray for Felix! Hooray for Deanna Hart!
IT BEARS REPEATING by Tanya Tagaq; illus. Cee Pootoogook
I am drawn to picture books with bears on the covers. is a This counting book shows illustrations by Cee Pootoogook, a carver and printmaker from Cape Dorset, Nunavet. Tanya Tagak is a Inuk throat singer from Cambridge Bay and cleverly presents a very simple pattern counting bears from one to ten and describing the things they enjoy doing *sliding, running, swimming, hunting”. I love this book for it’s simplicity for its vivid spot on adjectives (‘long’, ‘tall’, ‘cool’ ‘strong’, for its repetitive pattern and for its glorious illustrations of bears in action. The inclusion ofInuktitut numbers and the repeated word for polar bear = ‘nanuit’) is another special feature of this book. For sure, for sure, this book “bears repeating”.
One proud bear.
Stretching up to sniff the air.
One tall, long bear.
Two sliding bears.
Fur is a perfect sled.
Two slipper bears.
MARCELO, MARTELO, MARSHMALLOW by Ruth Roca; illus. Ana Matsusaki; translated by Tal Goldfajn (1976/ 2024)
When I was writing my book, Word by Word (Pembroke, 2019), I was on a quest to gather picture book titles that would support students interest and curiosity about vocabulary and spelling. On pages 13 and 14 I created a listo of over 20 titles about ‘Learning about Words’ (ages 2 to 5) and exploring ‘The Power of Words’ (ages 6+) . Some examples include Maisy’s Amazing Big Book of Words by Lucy Cousins, , Max’s Words by Kate Banks and the must-haveThe Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds. On Sunday September 22, The New York Times reviewed Marcelo, Martelo, Marshmallow (great title) which was originally published in Brazil in 1976 and a translated version has been published in 2024. Marcelo is the hero of this story, an inquisitive young boy with many questions on his mind (as do most kids his age) and his curiosity leads him to dispute the origins of words (e.g., “Why is my name Marcello?. Why not Martello?Why not Marshmallow? / Why is a table called a table and not a chair?) Eventually his questioning mind leadshim to create words that make sense to him (a ‘seater’ is a chair; ‘cow juice’ is milk.) His invented vocabulary eventually become more incredible, hard to understand (draggiage, dogstayer, blastflames) but to Marcello his word choices make sense. What’s a parent to do? This imaginative picture book shines a light the power of language and wordplay. Ana Matsuaki’s amusing graphic collage illustrations add to the appeal of this amusing book.
A FACE IS A POEM by Julie Morstad
Award-winning author / illustrator, Julie Morstad creates beautiful books that inspire reflection and offer delight in visual images, small and large, that fill each spread. Morstad was the winner of the 2022 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award for her decorative book, Time is a Flower which celebrates the concept of time through the eyes of a child. . In her newest picture book, she celebrates the wonder and beauty of faces around the world which can serves as a springboard for readers to wonder about the beauty of their own faces and those around them. The text and illustrations invite an up-close look at skin, eyes, noses, freckles and is an special book to consider the commonality of facial features and the diversity of the world we live in. Morstad asserts that ‘a face is a poem with all the parts put together adding up to someone you love.” Perhaps another award awaits this author.
Maybe a face is like a window…
showing what’s inside.
Sometimes I wish my face wouldn’t show all by secrets.
A SONG FOR THE PAPER CHILDREN by Christopher Tse (poem)
This picture book presents a published version the poem written to commemorate the centenary of the Chinese Exclusion Act. It was performed by poet Christopher Tse in the Senate of Canada on June 23, 2023. The poem is a tribute to Chinese immigrants, some of whom arrived in Canada after the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed to harshly restrict their entry. The ‘paper children’ were courageous men and women who endured legislated racism, financial hardship. and acts of violence and discrimination, It is also a tribute to the vibrant, resilient Chinese Canadian community who continue to contribute significantly our nation. Visually, the words and illustrations are mostly presented in black, white and red. Archived photographs are spread throughout to accompany the text. This picture book for older readers is a remarkable artifact of poem, and historical account, as picture book.
Excerpt
So child
When they tell you to
go back from where you
come from
Tell them you come from
elbow grease and laundry
bleach, broken English and MSG
Hunchbacked elders and paper sons.
You come from
A history of resistence
Backbone and persistence
THE SPACEMAN by Randy Cecil
I am very fond of the picture book If You Come to Earth.. by Sophie Blackall where the author invites alien creatures to consider the wonders of earth (i.e. homes, clothing, food etc). Randy Cecil’s amusing picture book is the story of a spaceman who has landed on Earth and discovers the beauty of plants, butterflies and animals. When his spaceship is snatched by a passing bird, Spaceman finds himself in a predicament.Should he continue his adventures to other planets, or remain behind on a planet that he once thought was ordinary, but learns about the joys of having friends in what turns out to be an extraordinaire place. The Spaceman is a charming character telling a charming story of discovery, responsibility and the enjoyment of gentle breezes with a friend..
>>>>>>> <<<<<<<
BEST OF 2023 CANADIAN PICTURE BOOK TITLES
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is excited to announce the finalists for eight major awards celebrating Canadian books for young people published in 2023. Overall, $108,500 in prize monies will be awarded on October 28. The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is proud to share the nominated titles and the juries’ notes. Click here to view the shortlists.
MARILYN BAILLIE PICTURE BOOK AWARD: NOMINATIONS
LOVE IS IN THE AIR by Judith Henderson; illus. Nahid Kazemi
Hats off to author Judith Henderson and Illustrator Nahid Kazemi for a book about bear and bird, opera and practice, and. and the ups and downs of friendships. The words sing, the art delights and the story tickles the funny bone and touches the heart.
OUR POOL by Lucy Ruth Cummins
The cover illustration immediately invites reader into the joyful experience of swimming in the community pool. Cummins brilliantly captures the sounds and feelings and importance of laughing and shrieking and exercising in a community pool. Our Pool is an exuberant celebration of diving and splashing and enjoying swimming in a place where all are welcome . This publication is a WOW of words and pictures in a read – and read it again – book.
SKATING WILD ON AN INLAND SEA by Jean E. Pendziwol; illus. Todd Stewart
This exquisite book is wonderful hybrid of poetry, information and narrative text accompanied by staggering screen-printed art. In the opening page, readers are invited to “Listen! as Lake Superior sings a winter song”. Readers are invited to join in the adventure of two children as they Listen! Watch! and Feel the magic of skating on a chilly winter day. Skating Wild on an Inland Sea is a stellar example of picture book creation.
A TULIP IN WINTER by Kathy Stinson; illus. Lauren Soloy
This glorious picture book shines a light on the celebratedCanadian Folk Artist Maud Lewis from Nova Scotia. Kathy Stinson presents clear, and moving biographic information about the artist who lived through poverty and with the pain of having rheumatoid arthritis. Lauren Soloy’s art work expertly mirrors the Maud Lewis primitive style with. This book respectfully and lovingly does proud the life and work of a beloved Canadian artist.
WHEN YOU CAN SWIM by Jack Wong
This story, told in the second person voice, welcomes novice and experienced swimmers into the exhilarating univeral experience of swimming in and on and all around oceans, lakes and pools. Not only does Jack Wong brilliantly depict various perspectives as we view the joys of learning to swim, but he provides comfort for both the child who is learning to swim and for the reader who can connect to the experience of overcoming fears. When You Can Swim is a treasure of a Canadian picture book publication.