Children's Picture Books: Stories set in Canada

"Meet Maria Toorpakai Wazir, a Pakistani girl who loved sports and longed for the freedom that boys in her culture enjoyed. She joined a squash club to pursue her dream, and was taunted, teased, and beaten—but still continued playing. Then, when Maria received an award from the President of Pakistan for outstanding achievement, the Taliban threatened her squash club, her family, and her life. Although forced to quit the team, she refused to give up. Maria kept practicing the game in her bedroom every day for three years! Her hard work and perseverance in the face of overwhelming obstacles will inspire all children." -- publisher

Ghost’s journey

2019

by Robin Stevenson and Rainer Oktovianus

"When life in Indonesia becomes too dangerous for LGBTQ people, Ghost and her two dads are forced to leave their home and escape to freedom in Canada. Ghost’s Journey was inspired by the story of two gay refugees, Rainer and Eka, and their cat Ghost, with illustrations created from their photographs." -- publisher

Secret recipe box

2019

by Helal Musleh

Maha's grandma is moving from Palestine to Canada, and Maha can't wait! Teta travels from far away with a box full of secret recipes and special memories. Maha wants to keep them all for herself, but Teta's kindness teaches her the value of sharing, and the joy of connecting with loved ones. -- publisher's site

The pencil

2019

by Susan Avingaq, Maren Vsetula and Charlene Chua

Susan and her sister, Rebecca, love watching their mother write letters to people in other camps. Their mother has one precious pencil, and she keeps it safe in her box for special things. One afternoon, Anaana leaves the iglu to help a neighbour, and Susan, Rebecca, and their brother Peter are left with their father. They play all their regular games but are soon out of things to do-until Ataata brings out the pencil! As Susan draws and draws, the pencil grows shorter and shorter. What will Anaana think when she comes home? Based on author Susan Avingaq's childhood memories of growing up in an iglu, this charming story introduces young readers to the idea of using things wisely. |cProvided by publisher

A day with Yayah

2018

by Nicola I. Campbell and Julie Flett

On an outing in Nicola Valley, British Columbia, a First Nations family forages for herbs and mushrooms while the grandmother passes down her language and knowledge to her young grandchildren. Includes glossary.

Africville

2018

by Shauntay Grant and Eva Campbell

"When a young girl visits the site of Africville, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the stories she's heard from her family come to mind. She imagines what the community was once like--the brightly painted houses nestled into the hillside, the field where boys played football, the pond where all the kids went rafting, the bountiful fishing, the huge bonfires"--|cProvided by publisher

I am Harriet Tubman

2018

by Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos

"A biography of Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist leader who played a key role in helping enslaved people escape via the Underground Railroad"--Provided by publisher

Island in the Salish Sea

2018

by Sheryl McFarlane and Leslie Redhead

A picture book about the simple joys of spending summer vacation on an island in the Salish Sea with Gran.

Jackson Sundown

2018

by Doris Fisher and Sarah Cotton

"Jackson Sundown, born in Montana in 1863 in the Nez Perce tribe, had a special talent: understanding horses. One day he would grow up to win the Pendleton Round-Up World Championship for bronc riding, in Oregon. He is now in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and this book introduces young readers to his fascinating story"--Provided by publisher

Mr. Mergler, Beethoven, and me

2018

by David Gutnick and Mathilde Cinq-Mars

"An elderly piano teacher takes a young music student under his wing and changes her life. This story is inspired by events in the life of Daniel Mergler - a wonderful musician who loved to teach and whose generous spirit inspires author and journalist David Gutnick to this day.

Children's Picture Books: Stories set in Canada

A girl called Genghis Khan

A girl called Genghis Khan

Ghost’s journey

Ghost’s journey

Secret recipe box

Secret recipe box

The pencil

The pencil

A day with Yayah

A day with Yayah

Africville

Africville

I am Harriet Tubman

I am Harriet Tubman

Island in the Salish Sea

Island in the Salish Sea

Jackson Sundown

Jackson Sundown

Mr. Mergler, Beethoven, and me

Mr. Mergler, Beethoven, and me