- fantasy & magic (11)
- friendship (10)
- poetry (see also stories in verse) (8)
- europe (7)
- imagination & play (6)
- own voices (6)
- parents (6)
- country & ethnic (5)
- greek & roman (5)
- humorous stories (5)
- new experience (5)
- peer pressure (5)
- bedtime & dreams (4)
- emotions & feelings (4)
- jewish (4)
- adoption (3)
- africa (3)
- alligators & crocodiles (3)
- asia (3)
- beginner (3)
Black Dog Dream Dog
Sam finds a big black dog in her backyard. She wants to keep him, but she can't let her mother find out. So she hides him in the shed. Meanwhile, Stella wakes up in a strange room after having had a stroke. She can't move and she can't talk. So how can she ask what happened to her dog? This is a story about a magical dog who changes Sam's life in w …
No Pets Allowed
When Matthew moves to Vancouver with his mother, he's not able to bring along his dog Lucky, because the apartment building he is moving into does not allow dogs. But when Matthew's imaginary dog scares off a burglar, all the tenants argue that Lucky should be allowed to come live there.
The Circle Cast
Morgan le Fay was a sorceress, seducer of King Arthur and destroyer of Britain. As Morgan comes of age, she discovers her own magical powers. One day she falls in love with a young Irish chieftain. But will her drive for revenge destroy her chance for love and happiness?
Once Upon a Bathtime
The tub bubbles over with fairy tales as a little girl gets ready for bed with her favorite toys. This tender story is illustrated with Sima Elizabeth Shefrin's beautiful collages and is sure to become a nightly bedtime ritual.
The Mouse Who Saved Egypt
The Mouse Who Saved Egypt is a wonderful retelling of an ancient Middle Eastern folk tale with a straightforward plot: a prince takes the time to rescue a mouse trapped in a thorn bush; when the prince later becomes pharaoh, the mouse returns to save Egypt from attack.
City Kids
From street hockey to baguette duels, award-winning poet X.J. Kennedy captures what it means to be a kid in a city full of zany characters and urban adventures waiting to happen. Philippe Béha's whimsical illustrations add delight to these lighthearted rhymes. These poems are set in cities around the world from London to Toronto to New York. Funny …
Roxy
Roxy is a tale of secrets and lies, sex and death. The story unfolds in Greece—an ancient land where myth and fact have coexisted for centuries. Sent there on a mission of mercy to meet her estranged grandfather, Roxy uncovers the truth about her family and must unravel the longtime consequences of a tragic love story. At the same time she has a …
Henry Chow and other stories
Set around the world—in Canada, the UK, India, Japan and Jamaica—these fascinating stories by emerging and established writers, such as Evelyn Lau and Governor General's Award winner Paul Yee, will captivate and entertain teens of all ages.
Broken
Ash Perrault can explain why she's so upset: her dad's fiancé is moving into their house, her best friend Mouse is hiding a secret from her, she has detention on the school dance committee, and her relationship with her boyfriend, Seth, is confusing and often hurtful. But Ash can't explain why the glass around her keeps breaking without her touchi …
On My Walk
In this beautiful picture book, illustrated by Christina Leist, a mother and her toddler are caught up in a summer rainstorm on their walk through the city. This simple story, poetically told by Kari-Lynn Winters, will be a fun bedtime—or anytime—read for toddlers and parents alike.
Shu-Li and Diego
Shu-Li and Diego tells the story of how these two classmates meet the challenge of taking care of Baxter, a neighbor's dog. The two friends face disaster when Baxter runs away and they have to break the news to its owner.
Viva Zapata
This humorous story is about a fictional incident in the childhood of the Mexican revolutionary hero, Emiliano Zapata. After Emiliano's pony is stolen, he manages to track down the bandits and recover his horse.
The Graveyard Hounds
When lightning strikes the school playground, Annie's dog loses her bark. After Mike's dog loses his bark as well, he and Annie decide to do some sleuthing. Searching for clues, they discover that the new school custodian, Mr. Duffy, is somehow involved in these strange events. Finally, Annie and Mike solve the terrible secret of the Graveyard Houn …
The Year I was Grounded
Geordie likes baseball, crunching carrots, playing the trumpet in the school band and anything to do with water. Not quite telling the truth earns: "You're grounded!" Over the year that follows, the world's truths turn out to be more interesting than Geordie ever imagined. Some discoveries are comic, some are exciting, some upsetting, some sad. And …
The Doomsday Mask
The legendary crystal ceremonial mask of Kulkaan, high priest of Atlantis, was believed to have been endowed with incredible powers, with deadly consequences for all mankind. In a desperate race against time, Josh and Erica must prevent the mask from falling intact into the hands of the shadowy Crystalline Order.
All Aboard for Dreamland!
Destination Dreamland! Hop aboard for a Topsy-turvy ride through Wiggle town, Giggle town and Groggy Grove! Gerald Valério’s dazzling and joyously original illustrations, and Melanie Harry’s engaging rhymes deliver a trainload of read-along fun to sleepy children, transporting them safely to the land of their dreams.
Crocodiles Play!
Crocs play baseball, basketball, golf and table tennis on the wrong fields and courts, using the incorrect equipment with no respect for the rules. A game of tag is played by crocodiles dressed in tennis shorts, soccer players play hide and seek, and foot-ballers play ring-around-the-rosie.
Angels Inc.
Wendy and Zachary decide to form a club to help their neighbors and come up with the name Angel's Inc. Their first mission is to help an old woman across the street. The do just that, but it turns out she didn't actually want to cross the road. Then they paint a neighbor's shed--a horrid color. Their next good deed is to watch Mrs. Haddock's dog wh …
The King Has Goat Ears
In this lively retelling of a Serbian folktale, each barber who cuts the king's hair ends up being kept prisoner in the palace. One day, however, a young apprentice named Miro accepts the challenge to cut the king's hair. When he discovers that the king has goat ears, Miro is careful not to tell anyone. But alas, secrets have a way of being found o …
Shu-Li and Tamara
This contemporary story of the true friendship between two girls is set in Vancouver’s Commercial Drive neighborhood. Shu-Li’s parents run a local Chinese deli and much of the story revolves around food. There is a helpful compendium of recipes at the end of the book for kids to try out. Beautifully illustrated throughout with line drawings.
Siena Summer
Angela's summer holiday with her aunt and uncle in Siena, Italy changes her life forever. First she manages to save the life of the jittery horse Tempesta. Next she falls head over heals for Tony, a local jockey. And finally, as a last minute replacement in the upcoming Palio, she has to ride Tempesta and race against Tony.
Eco-Diary of Kiran Singer
The Camosun Bog has existed for 2000 years, but, like wetlands everywhere, it has been encroached on by an expanding urban landscape. In The Eco-Diary of Kiran Singer, Sue Ann Alderson chronicles one child's encounter with the bog and the Crazy Boggers who are working to protect and restore it. Full of humor and gentle irony, this is an intimate, c …
Baaaad Animals
You're guaranteed to giggle at the naughty capers of the critters in Tiffany Stone's second book of silly poems.
The Heretic's Tomb
While exploring an archeological site, Annie discovers the tomb of Lady Isabella Devereaux, who was condemed to death as a heretic. When Annie picks up a mysterious amulet that she finds in the tomb, she is hurtled back to the Middle Ages, encountering sorcery, treason and the Black Death.
Honey Cake
For David Nathan, Copenhagen is the most beautiful city in the world. Even Nazis in the street can’t make Copenhagen ugly. But life has changed since the soldiers arrived. His parents are always worried. And his older sister goes to school early and comes home late. Sometimes she doesn’t come home at all! David’s father is a baker, and since …
What Happened this Summer
This new collection of short stories by Governor General's Award winning author Paul Yee confronts the secret lives of Chinese-Canadian teenagers as they battle with their parents over schooling, carreers, sexuality, religion and integration into North American culture. Once again Paul Yee offers a rare glimpse into the conflicted world of Chinese …
Huevos Rancheros
Marcelina lived in a small cage on the balcony of Señor Raul's cantina in Mexico City. Every day she would lay eggs and Señor Raul would turn them into delicious huevos rancheros for his customers. Señor Raul loved to sing and always serenaded Marcelina with his sweet songs. But every night Marcelina would dream of the day when she would not hav …
The Emerald Curse
Charles Kelly was the world's greatest comic book artist until he disappeared without a trace. Years later, his grandson Sam discovers a mysterious pen in Kelly's studio and is propelled into a deadly dimension where supervillains are disturbingly real.
Fairy Tale Feasts
Folk tales from around the world with liked recipes.
Bamboo
In a Chinese village, Bamboo, a simple farmer, falls in love with a peasant girl, Ming, and soon they are married. To celebrate the wedding, the newlyweds plant a grove of bamboo. When Bamboo goes to the New World to seek his fortune, his new wife is left behind to till the fields. Ming soon discovers that the bamboo she brought as a gift to her ne …
Crocodiles Say?
Parents, children and teachers will all laugh at the silly antics of the crocs in this raucous new book by poet and teacher Robert Heidbreder. Rae Maté's illustrations will charm children and flatter crocodiles everywhere!
The Clone Conspiracy
Luke's best friend, Patrick, has disappeared on the eve of his birthday. Has he run away? Patrick's sister Emma doesn't think so and neither does Luke. Together Luke and Emma set out to unravel the mystery of Patrick's disappearance, but soon their own lives are at risk.
Zigzag
When the doll maker creates Zigzag from scraps, she promises him, “Some child will love you.” This gives the strange-looking doll hope. But the other dolls and stuffed animals in the shop don’t want such an ugly toy around. They force Zigzag to leave. Clinging to the promise that a child will someday love him, little Zigzag sets out to find a …
A Telling Time
A rabbi begins the story of how Queen Esther saved her people from a plot to destroy them. This holiday book is a good discussion started about racism and anti-semitism.
Nannycatch Chronicles
A bit of black humour for primary school age kids who will appreciate the tongue-in-cheek tales of Uncle Possum in the Nannycatch Meadows. Poor Uncle Possum! Or should we say: poor animal folk of Nannycatch who have to put up with him. In the spirit of Uncle Remus, young readers will delight in these cheeky tales.
If I Had a Million Onions
This exciting new collection by Sheree Fitch poetry will tickle the funny-bones of children and adults alike. Yayo's delightful illustrations perfectly match the whimsy of these capricious poems.
The Sorcerer's Letterbox
In a hidden drawer, located in the base of an old wooden box, Jack discovers a letter from a boy calling himself Edward. Penning a reply, Jack is astonished to be corresponding through time with Edward V, one of the famous Princes in the Tower. Traveling back in time, Jack attempts to rescue Edward and his brother from death, and is soon fighting f …
For Sure! For Sure!
In Mus White's skillful adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's story There Is No Doubt About It, the news that a hen has lost a feather is blown out of proportion into an enormous scandal.
Floyd the Flamingo and His Flock of Friends
Sneezing birds, complaining flamingos, warrior Vikings and radioactive cats! All these entertaining characters and a host of child friendly themes are found in the pages of Floyd the Flamingo and His Flock of Friends, a lively, appealing book of poetry that should find its way onto the bookshelf of every family. Catchy rhymes and clever word-play m …
The Island of the Minotaur
This chapter book of Greek myths presents the epic history of the Minoan civilization. The novel connects famous myths; Zeus and Rhea, Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur, Icarus and Daedalus, Jason and Medea with little known tales of the Bronze Giant, Phaedra and the Ash tree spirits.
Island of the Minotaur weaves together the famous and the forgott …
Rescuing Einstein's Compass
One day, a boy named Theo is called into the living room by his parents to meet the most famous man alive. When Theo and Professor Einstein go out for a sail on Theo's small boat, the Professor unexpectedly loses his compass overboard.
The Sea King
The Sea King lives deep under the sea in an exquisite crystal palace. He rarely leaves his halls, except to search out a human victim. One day, the Sea King does a very big favor for a king from the land above. In return, however, he extracts a promise. And without realizing it, the king of the land has promised the Sea King his newborn son.
Jewish Fairy Tale Feasts
Here you'll find Yolen's dynamic, enchanting retellings of Jewish tales from around the world paired with Stemple's recipes for everything from challah to matzo brei to pomegranate couscous, tzimmes chicken, and rugelach, in creative versions of classic dishes that any family will delight in cooking together. And Jewish Fairy Tale Feasts is filled …
The Alchemist's Portrait
On a school trip to the museum, Matthew has an eerie meeting with Peter Glimmer, who was imprisoned in his own portrait by his uncle, the villainous alchemist, Nicolaas van der Leyden. Peter Glimmer entrusts Matthew with recovering from the past the one thing that can save the world. Encountering magic, mayhem and murder, Matthew ends up in a despe …
Pacific Tree Frogs
Discover a year in the life of the Pacific tree frog whose habitat reaches from San Diego to British Columbia. Spectacularly illustrated, this book is perfect for parents, teachers and children of all ages.
My Animal Friends
This sweet, little rhyming book reveals what every child knows in his or her heart—that animals are our special friends. There’s a magical connection, a language of love that joins us together without words. Some animals bark, some purr and some coo. In this charming book, young children will love guessing the sounds that animals make.