Children's Picture Books: Stories set in Canada

Dancing with the cranes

2013

"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. Chi's momma and daddy help ease the pain of losing her Temma and help her understand life and death as a part of nature. Chi' soon finds herself feeling comforted, knowing her Temma will always be a part of her. She begins looking forward to the new baby. Dancing with the Cranes gives an understanding of birth, life and death"--Back cover

Girls dance, boys fiddle

2013

by Carole Lindstrom and Kimberly McKay

What incredible pluck! Why does young Metisse insist on playing her fiddle for Grandmother's birthday when everyone knows girls are supposed to dance and leave the fiddling to the boys? It could be because Metisse feels the rhythm of tradition in more than one way.

Kamik

2013

by Donald Uluadluak and Qin Leng

"Inspired by the real-life recollections of an elder from Arviat, Nunavut, this book lovingly recreates the traditional dog-rearing practices that prevailed when Inuit relied on dogs for transportation and survival" -- P. [4] of cover

Nala’s magical mitsiaq

2013

by Jennifer Noah and Qin Leng

When a blizzard prevents sisters Nala and Qiatsuk from going sledding, they end up staying home and hearing the story of Nala's adoption and learning about Inuit custom adoption instead.

No Borders

2013

by Darla Evyagotailak, Mindy Willett and Tessa Macintosh

"The latest in the Land is Our Storybook series focusing on life and culture in the far north. No Borders shares the life of Darla Evyagotailak, a 16 year old Inuk girl. Through Darla's life readers will get a glimpse into the intricately connected families of Inuit living in the communities of Kugluktuk, Nunavut and Ulukhaktok, NWT. Although recently divided by the border between the two territories the communities share a common ancestry and their language called Inuinnaqtun. The border is invisible to them however, and as Darla's Grandfather tells her, 'we are just like the caribou, they don't see the border and neither do we'." -- publisher

Raven brings the light

2013

by Robert Budd and Roy Henry Vickers

In a time when darkness covered the land, a boy named Weget is born who is destined to bring the light. With the gift of a raven's skin that allows him to fly as well as transform, Weget turns into a bird and journeys from Haida Gwaii into the sky. There he finds the Chief of the Heavens who keeps the light in a box. By transforming himself into a pine needle, clever Weget tricks the Chief and escapes with the daylight back down to Earth

Trip to the moon

2013

by Vera Evic and Elisapee Ishulutaq

This adventurous tale follows three boys from Pangnirtung, Nunavut, who after discovering an old oil drum on the beach embark on a journey they'll never forget!

When I was eight

2013

by Christy. Jordan-Fenton, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton and Gabrielle Grimard

Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, this book chronicles the unbreakable spirit of an Inuit girl while attending an Arctic residential school. Olemaun is eight and knows a lot of things. But she does not know how to read. Ignoring her father’s warnings, she travels far from her Arctic home to the outsiders’ school to learn. The nuns at the school call her Margaret. They cut off her long hair and force her to do menial chores, but she remains undaunted. Her tenacity draws the attention of a black-cloaked nun who tries to break her spirit at every turn. But the young girl is more determined than ever to learn how to read.

Wild berries / Pikaci-mīnisa

2013

by Julie Flett

Clarence and his grandmother pick wild blueberries and meet ant, spider, and fox in a beautiful woodland landscape

Apples and butterflies

2012

by Shauntay Grant and Tamara Thiébaux Heikalo

A family takes an autumn vacation to Prince Edward Island- - beachcombing, kite flying, campfires, and apple picking. Filled with rich illustrations and Shauntay Grant's award- winning poetry