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Canadiana

Oh Canada, our home and literary land

Love You Forever

Lovey Dovey, Canadiana

A young woman holds her newborn son And looks at him lovingly. Softly she sings to him: "I'll love you forever I'll like you for always As long as I'm living My baby you'll be." So begins the story that has touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Since publication in l986, Love You Forever has sold more than 15 million copies in paperback and the regular hardcover edition (as well as hundreds of thousands of copies in Spanish and French)
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 55672 votes, reviews

Robert Munsch

The Paper Bag Princess

Strong Female Leads, Canadiana

This bestselling modern classic features a princess who rescues a very snooty—and ungrateful—prince.
average rating is 4.5 out of 5, based on 5426 votes, reviews

Robert Munsch

Purple, Green and Yellow

Canadiana, Art

Another laugh-out-loud book from the author of The Paper Bag Princess! Brigid really, really loves markers. She convinces her mom to buy a new set of five hundred washable coloring markers, then five hundred coloring markers that smell, then five super-indelible-never-come-off-till-you’re-dead-and-maybe-even-later coloring markers. Which markers do you think she uses when she colors on herself? A newly designed Classic Munsch picture book introduces this tale of exuberant artistry to a young generation of readers.
average rating is 3.7 out of 5, based on 2012 votes, reviews

Robert Munsch

Pigs

Embracing Mistakes

Megan is told to feed the pigs, but not to open the gate. She does of course, and the results are hilarious as the pigs help themselves to coffee and the newspaper at the breakfast table, follow Megan to school, and ride home by way of the school bus.
average rating is 4.5 out of 5, based on 573 votes, reviews

Robert Munsch

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Mortimer

Classics, Canadiana

With over half a million copies in print, Mortimer is one of Robert Munsch’s most popular and beloved books. Mortimer is the story “... of a little boy who won’t go to sleep at night and who drives his family crazy with his rowdiness ... [It] reads as though it was written by a parent driven frantic by one of the contemporary but compulsive stages of childrearing ... [It is] of tremendous appeal to kids and parents at the same stage.”—Globe and Mail
average rating is 4.1 out of 5, based on 525 votes, reviews

Robert Munsch

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Carson Crosses Canada

Canadiana

Feisty Annie Magruder and her dog, Carson, live in British Columbia, Canada, and they're setting out to visit her sister, Elsie, in Newfoundland. In their little rattlebang car, packed with Carson's favorite toy, Squeaky Chicken, and plenty of baloney sandwiches, Annie and Carson hit the road! They travel province by province, taking in each unique landscape and experiencing something special to that particular part of this vast, grand country. For example, they marvel at the beauty of the big, open sky -- and grasshoppers! -- in Saskatchewan and discover the gorgeous red earth and delicious lobster rolls in PEI, before finally being greeted by Elsie -- and a surprise for Carson!
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 507 votes, reviews

Linda Bailey

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Sharon, Lois and Bram's Skinnamarink

Canadiana, Nostalgia

Based on the classic folk song made famous by a beloved trio of children's entertainers, this board book is best sung aloud! "Skinnamarink" is a timeless anthem of love and inclusion. What does "skinnamarink" mean? You may not find its definition in a dictionary, but the meaning is clear to the generations of children who sang along: friendship, happiness, sharing, community and, ultimately, love. This song has been sung in weddings and in classrooms. It can be fun and silly — especially with the accompanying actions! And it has a way of bringing people together. Through Qin Leng's wonderfully imaginative illustrations, this delightful board book tells the story of a community coming together. Young and old, from little mice to a big elephant, people and animals gather into a spontaneous parade as they follow the sound of music. Sharon, Lois and Bram formed as a trio of children's entertainers in Toronto in 1978 and went on to create two top-rated children's television shows, most notably The Elephant Show, and to release 21 full-length albums (many of which reached gold, platinum, double platinum and triple platinum). In 2018, Sharon and Bram celebrated their 40th anniversary and they continue to entertain children and share their message of love.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 471 votes, reviews

Sharon Hampson

Just One Goal!

Sports, Canadiana

Ciara is tired of hauling her hockey gear across town to play on the rink. It makes no sense ― there is a perfectly good frozen river in her own backyard! But her dad says it's too jagged, and her mom says it's too bumpy, and her older sisters don't see why she can't keep going all the way across town, just like they did. But Ciara won't let anybody stop her. And with a little help from the neighbourhood, she knows that her team, the River Rink Rats, will finally win a game on their own brand new rink. In classic Robert Munsch style, this warm fun story of community and hockey takes a hilarious turn. With the excitement and pace of a real hockey match, the River Rink Rats play their final game on their new rink. The pressure is on; the crowd is watching; Ciara has the puck; the crowd keeps watching; the ice starts to CRACK!; Ciara keeps playing; the ice starts to drift; the crowd starts running; Ciara shoots to SCORE and . . . You can be sure that no matter how the game ends, there will be hot chocolate!
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 255 votes, reviews

Robert Munsch

Alligator Pie

Canadiana, Poetry

"You can almost hear the skipping rope slapping the sidewalk,” wrote Margaret Laurence of Dennis Lee’s timeless poetry collection Alligator Pie. One of the first illustrated books published about Canadian children and featuring Canadian place names, Alligator Pie established Dennis Lee’s reputation as “Canada’s Father Goose” and has sold more than half a million copies since its publication in 1974. This classic edition, featuring Frank Newfeld’s instantly recognizable original illustrations and book design, includes childhood favourites such as “Willoughby Wallaby Woo,” “Wiggle to the Laundromat” and “Skyscraper.”
average rating is 4.6 out of 5, based on 191 votes, reviews

Dennis Lee

Millicent and the Wind

Friendship

Millicent lives on top of the mountain with her mother, far away from the valley where the other children live. She has no friends until, one day she suddenly discovers the wind can talk!
average rating is 4.1 out of 5, based on 79 votes, reviews

Robert Munsch

My Canada: An Illustrated Atlas

Canadiana

This picture book atlas of Canada is a whimsical, informative introduction to our country from sea to sea to sea. Each province and territory is featured on its own spread, with icons and labels indicating the capital city, other major cities, key lakes and rivers, iconic landmarks, animals, and plants, significant national and provincial parks, and more. Each map is lively and colorful with plenty of details to discover. Simple labels make key places and landmarks easily searchable for further research. Inspired by the illustrator’s map of PEI, a longtime gift shop bestseller, My Canada includes basic information about Canada and a full map of the country. It’s an excellent resource for celebrating Canada’s sesquicentennial.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 77 votes, reviews

Katherine Dearlove

Toronto ABC

Canadiana, Alphabet

A is for AGO, B is for Blue Jays … Explore Toronto's best known landmarks and neighbourhoods in this eye-catching book for the very young. From Casa Loma to High Park to the CN Tower, this alphabetical tour shows off the best the city has to offer in a bright contemporary style that will attract both local tots and tiny tourists.
average rating is 4.6 out of 5, based on 67 votes, reviews

Paul Covello

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The Three Canadian Pigs

Sports, Canadiana

The three pigs are just finishing up a hockey practice session when the Big Bad Wolf drops by and declares them Canadian bacon--and lunch. When north country bad boys Bear and Moose join the fray, the pigs invite the gang to settle their disputes The Canadian Way--with a rousing game of hockey. Will the big guys overtake the pigs with brute force? Or will the pigs skate circles around the lumbering baddies? One thing is certain, the trial is likely to end with a meal (poutine, please!). But will the piggies be on the menu?
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 53 votes, reviews

Jocelyn Watkinson

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Canadiana

meaningful additions

Children learn and hear more than we think.  Books provide context for new and potentially confusing topics, and give caregivers a way to approach complex topics.

Balanced Rocks
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