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

Lights for Gita

2016

by Rachna Gilmore and Alice Priestley

Recently immigrated from India, Gita is looking forward to celebrating her favorite holiday, Divali, a festival of lights, but things are so different in her new home that she wonders if she will ever adjust.

The song within my heart

2015

by Dave Bouchard and Allen Sapp

As a young First Nations, Cree Indian boy prepares for his first powwow, he learns from his grandmother that he has to create stories and songs to prepare for his own upcoming pow-wow. She guides him through the events of the day and helps him to understand that the stories, songs, and beating heart are his to own and are things unique to each individual. These are the kinds of things that hold value and importance beyond materialistic things.

Viola Desmond Won’t Be Budged!

2010

by Jody Warner and Richard Rudnicki

Tells the story of Viola Desmond, an African Canadian woman who, in 1946, challenged a Nova Scotia movie theater's segregation policy by refusing to move from her seat to an upstairs section designated for use by blacks.

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

Minegoo Mniku / Epekewitkewey A’tukwaqn

2017

by Sandra Dodge

"A long time ago, the Great Spirit created all of the sky and stars but it wasn't enough. He then made a beautiful place called Minegoo, a place so beautiful that He almost placed it among the stars. He decided that instead, he would place Minegoo in the most beautiful spot on earth. He summoned Kluskap and asked him to find this spot. After searching the whole world, Kluscap found the Shining Waters, the spot in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that would be home to the Mi'kmaq people created in his own image."-- |cProvided by publisher

The Old Man with the Otter Medicine / Eneèko nàmbe įkʼ̜o̜ò kʼeèzh̜o

2008

by John Blondin

It is winter and the people are starving. There are no fish. They must seek the help of a medicine man to save them. The Old Man with the Otter Medicine tells of medicine power, the struggle for survival and an important part of the history and culture of the Dene people as it has been passed down through stories and legends for generations. --publisher

Dancing with the cranes

2013

by Jeannette C Armstrong

"Chi's momma is soon to have a baby, but Chi' is having a hard time being happy about it. Chi' misses her Temma (Grandma), who has passed away."--Back cover

The gathering tree

2012

by Oskiniko Larry Loyie

Robert, a young man with HIV, returns to his Native community to attend a gathering and to speak to his people about his disease. The two children in the story learn about traditional Native culture while they learn about Robert's disease.

Jenneli’s dance

2008

by Elizabeth Denny

One day, Grandma Lucee enters shy Jenneli into a jigging contest at the Lakeside Fair. Jenneli is scared and excited, but with Grandma Lucee's encouragement, love and support, Jenneli places her self-doubts and fears aside to dance in the contest.

Children's Picture Books: Stories set in Canada

A girl called Genghis Khan

A girl called Genghis Khan

Lights for Gita

Lights for Gita

The song within my heart

The song within my heart

Viola Desmond Won’t Be Budged!

Viola Desmond Won’t Be Budged!

Africville

Africville

Minegoo Mniku / Epekewitkewey A’tukwaqn

Minegoo Mniku / Epekewitkewey A’tukwaqn

The Old Man with the Otter Medicine / Eneèko nàmbe įkʼ̜o̜ò kʼeèzh̜o

The Old Man with the Otter Medicine / Eneèko nàmbe įkʼ̜o̜ò kʼeèzh̜o

Dancing with the cranes

Dancing with the cranes

The gathering tree

The gathering tree

Jenneli’s dance

Jenneli’s dance