Starred Reviews and Award Highlights

We are taking a look back at some of our highlights of the last year! From starred reviews to awards, we are celebrating the wonderful accolades that we received.

The King of Jam Sandwiches by Eric Walters

🏆 2020 Governor General’s Literary Awards—Winner

🏆 2021-22 Red Cedar Book Awards for Fiction—Nominee

🏆 2021 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award for Young Adult / Middle Reader—Shortlist

Powwow: A Celebration Through Song and Dance by Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane

🏆 2021 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction—Winner

🏆 2021-22 Red Cedar Book Awards for Non-Fiction—Nominee

🏆 2021 Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable Information Book Award—Shortlist

🏆 2021 Indigenous Voices Awards—Finalist

Shelter: Homelessness in Our Community by Lois Peterson and Taryn Gee

🌟“An outstanding, sophisticated introduction to a complex topic, this book encourages readers to prioritize kindness towards and dignity for people experiencing homelessness. Recommended as a first purchase.”—School Library Journal, starred review

Sorry for Your Loss by Joanne Levy

🌟”A heartfelt and expertly written tale of loss, family, and friendship that will have readers blinking back their tears…Beautiful and sincere.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Conservation Canines: How Dogs Work for the Environment by Isabelle Groc

🌟“Comprehensively detailed… robust and engaging. Sure to be a hit with both children writing reports and those who enjoy books about animal companions and adventurous work. A must for school and public libraries.”—Booklist, starred review

City Baby by Laurie Elmquist and Ashley Barron

🌟 “While the spare text is developmentally perfect for children, the illustrations elevate this offering with entrancing collages in a vivid palette. A first purchase for all libraries.”—School Library Journal, starred review

Pride Puppy! by Robin Stevenson and Julie McLaughlin

🌟“[A] sheer delight and will be a welcome addition to shelves everywhere. Highly—and proudly—recommended.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

🌟“Bouncy rhymes…vibrant, rainbow-splashed illustrations…This engaging introduction to Pride parades for the youngest readers successfully testifies to the warmth and power of queer community.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

🏆 2021 Toronto Public Library First and Best list

🏆 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2021 list

The Night is Deep and Wide by Gillian Sze and Sue Todd

🌟“A lovely visual lullaby to soothe youngest readers to sleep.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

🏆 New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids 2021 list

Design Like Nature: Biomimicry for a Healthy Planet by Megan Clendenan and Kim Ryall Woolcock

🌟“Fascinating…An appealing resource sure to spark an interest in biomimicry, from casual readers to budding scientists. Recommended for all libraries.”—School Library Journal, starred review

Riley Can’t Stop Crying by Stéphanie Boulay and Agathe Bray-Bourret

🌟“Insightfully emotional…A poignant, purposeful depiction of a family learning to recognize, confront, and heal internal struggles with self-love and self-worth. Children in need of encouragement will find comforting revelations about the value of individuality.”—School Library Journal, starred review

🌟“Bouley bring immense tenderness to both [Regina] and Riley’s journeys of discovery…Bray-Bourret’s quirky illustrations offer energy and lightness that balance the serious subject matter of gender identity…This picture book shows how we can give young children the freedom to be themselves.”—Quill & Quire