I love every one of these 12 new picture books, most of them published in 2025. Several titles are by Canadian authors and illustrators*.
THE DAY THE CRAYONS MADE FRIENDS by Drew Daywalt; illus. Oliver Jeffers
Those crayon rascals are back again. We first met these characters in The Day The Crayons Quit, where one by one they complain, through letters, about how they’ve been treated by Duncan. In this new tale, the crayons leave Duncan’s room to make friends and have some new adventures as they meet different objects (Red’s firetruck, Blue’s fashion doll, Estaban’s Teddy Bear. For me this book isn’t as terrific as the first in the series but the amusing letter format and humourous illustrations continue to delight. Long live the crayons!
EVERYBELLY by Thao Lam *
Everybody has a belly. Bellies may be small, big, flat, or shy. Some bellies grow, some bellies make great tables, some bellies feel like home. In this terrific picture book, artist Thao Lam uses coloured textured papers to illustrate a cast of characters each with a unique story, each with a unique belly (i.e., tattooed, stretch marks, six-pack, freckled, squishy, wobbly etc.). Readers view the world of bellies through the eyes of young girl, Maddie has a unique perspective on ‘everybelly’ that gathers together in the community pool. Why a wonderful story about self-acceptance by the author who shares her the pride she has for her own full belly! What a wonderful tribute to the diversity of the human body! What a wonderful wonderful picture book!
PUNCH! A story about kindness by Michael Hall
For some reason, Badger ‘was looking for trouble’ and ends up tripping Frog, shoving Moose, kicking elephant. It’s time to teach Badger a lesson and each of the animals has a plan to get back at the mean bully. Encounters are presented in a three-part story, each part told in less than fifty words. Each narrative uses words that tell a tale of revenge. Cleverly those words have more than one meaning. For example, Bear hauls back and gives Badger a ‘punch’ but a close look at the illustrations show bear offering a glass of punch. I’m very fond of Michael Halls lively and colourful collage characters presented in bold, geometric shapes. This picture book fosters understanding about meanness, friendship, kindness and the word play.. In its simplicity, this book indeed packs a punch. I love this book lots and lots! This is my favourite of the year so far.
TO SEE CLEARLY: A Portrait of David Hockney by Evan Turk / 2023
Biographies as picture books offer a special realm of children’s literature. Young readers may not choose to read about the life of a famous author, politician, or artist but when a grown-up shares a title with a young reader, they are hoping to provide some information, accomplishments and stories of the life of a well-known figure. To See Clearly relates the inspiring story of David Hockney, one of the art world’s most prolific contemporary talents. Evan Turk does a remarkable job of shining a light on the journey of this extraordinary artist who lead an open gay life, by highlighting the dedication, experimentation and accomplishments this groundbreaking British artist. Using pencil, gouache and crayon Evan Turk’s vibrant art work represents the artist’s visionary style and successfully captures the essence of several of Hockney’s famous pieces. This is a biographical tribute worth sharing, Moreover, the picture book should set the path to investigate and appreciate the extraordinary work by this extraordinary artist.
SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE AN OAK by Danielle Daniel; illus. Jackie Traverse / 2024 / poems *
This is the third title of short poems by Danielle Daniel (Sometimes I Feel Like A Fox; Sometimes I Feel Like a River). In this new collection, Daniel presents twelve lyrical -line poems about twelve different trees that a hcild encounters throughout the seasons. The poems not only provide readers with an opportunity to gain information about each tree but inspires them to look carefully and respectfully at the trees around us. Danielle Daniel’s words and Jackie Traverse’s paintings make the trees come alive.
Sometimes I feel like an ash,
deep-rooted, sturdy and tough.
I grow quickly under most conditions
feeding small animals with my bark.
TWO HOMES ONE HEART by Jessica Young; illus. Chelsea O’Byrne / 2024 *
“Two homes, / one heart / Once Together/ now apart… Different views, / same sky /With hello / comes goodbye.” This story of separation and divorce is told in simple abcb rhyme eliciting comfort to what may be a stressful experience for many children. The simple text depicts the experiencesstories and hopes of living under two roofs. Chelsea O’Byrne’s fills each page brightly coloured scenes are quite joyful showing how one girl experiences a divided life of good things when moving between two homes. In its simplicity, this picture book offers a beautiful interaction of words and pictures. This is a lovely heartfelt book that inspires reflection and connection.
TWO PICTURE BOOKS BASED ON NOVELS
ODDER: An Otter’s Story by Katheine Applegate; illus. Charles Santaso
This picture book is adapted from Katherine Applegate’s wonderful bestselling free verse novel, Odder, which tells about the life of an Otter who was once rescued by humans. Odder then goes on to teach other pups how to otter. It’s great to have a picture book version of a heartwarming, informative novel, based on a true sory of a program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers. Odder is a lovable, resilient character and her story is an animal lover’s delight.
THE WILD ROBOT ON THE ISLAND by Peter Brown
A robot wasn’t designed to live in the wilderness, but when Roz is washed on on an island she learns much from the animal inhabitants and adapts to her new, natural surroundings. The novel was terrific! The animated film was terrific! Not a sequel, this picture book offers a simplified version of The Wild Robot which is the first in a series of novels (The Wild Robot, The Wild Robot Escapes, The Wild Robot Protects) giving the acclaimed author, Peter Brown, the opportunity to depict Roz’s life on the island with dynamic, vibrant illustrations. The art work is spectacular! Those who have encountered the robot’s story in book or movie form will fully engage in the author’s choice of succinctly telling the story through colourful pages that are a WOW! Those who haven’t met Roz and Brightbill will are encouraged to dig into the trilogy of marvelous, adventurous novels.
HOORAY FOR SECOND STORY PRESS: New Releases *
THE FABULOUS EDWEENA by Edwin Dumont; illus. Melissa Cho
Edwin is very excited about the upcoming figure skating competition. To prepare for the event he once again invades his sister, Patsy’s closet and comes out of the closet dressed as Edweena Louisa wearing a a colourful dress, boots, fancy gloves and a pink belt and glimmering dangly earrings. Adding make-up and a wig excites Edwin because he will be the only one dressed in drag. Will his classmates make fun of him? Will he win the competition? This is a story about being true to yourself and living with the credo that “a dream is a wish your heart makes.”. Edwin Dumont you are fabulous and there’s one word to best describe this picture book – FABULOUS!
I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN SCHOOL by the children of Mare (edited Ananda Luz and Isabel Malzoni); translated by Patrick Anthony Barbara Brock.
Mare is a low income neighbourhood in Brazil. About 1500 children of Mare wrote letters to their government informing them of what happens during everyday violent police raids. The young people reveal their sad and angry, joyful and fearful experiences even though they were supposed to be at school: ‘Here I am hiding behind a washing machine’; ‘If shots start rising out and I’m in the street, I look for shelter everywhere; ‘If tomorrow is a peaceful day, I’m going to school, Then I will play at Peace Square.’). The honest words and pictures from young people is a call to end violence and to find a deserved place of safety.
MEMORY STONES by Kathy Lacer; illus. Hayley Lowe
Young Sophie and her granny spent happy times together eating ice cream, swinging in the park, gardening. When her grandmother passes away, Sophie’s hear aches Her family takes her to visit Granny’s grave and comes to learn that some people place stones on the graves of loved one’s who have died. Unlike flowers that rest on the graves, stones last forever. To honour the memory of her granny, Sophie has a plan to place memory stones which helped to soften the pain of missing granny. In the Jewish tradition visitors to graves leave a stone on the headstone of loved ones. Many cultures and traditions have different customs about what to leave on a grave. This picture book by the award-winning author of many books about the Holocaust is a heartwarming story about tokens of remembrance and cherish memories for those who have played an important part in our lives.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH OLIVE TRAN by Phuong Truong; illus. Christine Wei / ages 7-9 / chapter book
This title is Book Two in the Olive Tran Series. (book one: Every Little Bit Olive Tran). Olive, a ten year old Vietnamese student is determined to win the school’s talent contest which will bring a pizza party to her class. Alas, Olive doesn’t seem to have a talent and so she challenges herself to find something (juggling? ventriloquism? magic tricks that will bring her the school prize. As readers partake in Olive’s quest, they will come to learn that perseverance and friendship help to build character. Everyone has a talent and talent doesn’t just mean getting up on stage for an audience. Delightful!