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.
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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
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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
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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. ÂRecommended as a first purchase.”—School Library Journal, starred review
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 Âlibraries.”—School Library Journal, starred review
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Riley Can’t Stop Crying by StĂ©phanie Boulay and Agathe Bray-Bourret
🌟“Insightfully emotional…A poignant, purposeful depiction of a Âfamily learning to recognize, confront, and heal internal struggles with self-love and self-worth. Children in need of encouragement will find comforting Ârevelations 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
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When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith and Nicole Neidhardt
🏆 2022 Forest of Reading Blue Spruce—Nominee
🏆 2021/2022 Chocolate Lily Book Awards—Shortlist
🏆 2021-2022 First Nation Communities READ award—Shortlist
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Hockey Night in Kenya by Danson Mutinda and Eric Walters
🏆 2022 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express—Shortlist
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Raymond the Buffalo by Lou Beauchesne and Kate Chappell
🏆 2022 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express—Shortlist
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Grandmother School by Rina Singh and Ellen Rooney
🏆 2021 Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize—Winner
🏆 The Egghead: The Doug Wright Award for best kids’ book—Shortlist
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Genius Jolene by Sara Cassidy and Charlene Chua
🏆 2021 Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize—Winner
🏆 2021/2022 Chocolate Lily Book Awards—Shortlist
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One Earth: People of Color Protecting Our Planet by Anuradha Rao
🏆 2021-22 Red Cedar Book Awards for Non-Fiction—Nominee
🏆 The Nature Generation’s 2021 Green Earth Book Award Honor Award—Winner
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Nevers by Sara Cassidy
🏆 Governor General’s Literary Award in the Young People’s Literature Text category—Shortlist
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Never Going Back by Sam Wiebe
🏆 Winner of the Crime Writers Canada Award for Best Crime Novella—Winner
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Bird’s-Eye View: Keeping Wild Birds in Flight by Ann Eriksson
🏆 2021 Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable Information Book Award—Shortlist