Kids’ books we love for 2016

Written and illustrated by Francesca Sanna, Flying Eye Books, $28 (AGES 3–7). When one family loses their dad to the war, Mom decides to leave the country with the kids to find a new home. This sensitive and timely book portrays the refugee journey in a kid-friendly way.

Written and illustrated by Ben Clanton, Tundra Books, $11 (AGES 0–3). Mo the monster just got a moustache. It’s big and beautiful, and everybody wants one just like it. Soon, all his friends get moustaches too. Mo thinks they’re copycats. Will he ever stand out?

Written by Judith and Shandley McMurray, and illustrated by Robert Bateman and the Tobin Island Artists, Firefly Books, $20 (AGES 5–8). Pierce and Marley go on vacation with their family and find a turtle entangled in plastic. They seek help from the locals to try to save the turtle’s life.

Written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier, Scholastic Inc., $14 (AGES 8–12). When Cat and her family move because her sister, Maya, is sick, a neighbour tells them there are ghosts in the town. Maya wants to meet them, but Cat is terrified. Will she be able to do it for her sister’s sake?

Written by Chris Hadfield and illustrated by the Fan Brothers, Tundra Books, $23 (AGES 3–7). Chris loves space and pretending he’s a brave astronaut, but he’s scared of the dark. After watching the historic moon landing on TV, he’s ready to confront his fears.

Written by Theo Heras and illustrated by Renné Benoit, Pajama Press, $16 (AGES 2–4). It’s time for one little toddler to get dressed and go out. Will he choose the red hat, the striped hat or the penguin hat? Whichever one he chooses, it doesn’t stay on his head very long!

Written and illustrated by Frank Viva, Tundra Books, $22 (AGES 10+). As soon as school lets out, Eliot’s parents send him to stay with relatives in Nova Scotia. But this dreaded trip turns into an adventure-filled summer of starry nights, mystery and new friends.

Written and illustrated by Dieter Braun, Flying Eye Books, $52 (AGES 5+). Take a walk on the wild side and discover a plethora of majestic animals in different northern regions of the world. This beautifully illustrated tome depicts each animal in its natural habitat.

Written and illustrated by Dav Pikey, Scholastic, $13 (AGES 7+). Remember George and Harold, a.k.a the creators of Captain Underpants? Well, get ready for their new comic: Dog Man! Part man, part dog, he digs for deception, fights crime and has a serious nose for justice.

Written and illustrated by Dan Santat, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $22 (AGES 3-6). Long car rides are the worst. But what happens when time passes so slowly that it takes you bakc to the dinosaur age or medieval times? Easily bored kids will love this book. 

Written and illustrated by Geraldo Valerio, Owlkids Books, $17 (AGES 2-5). Bison, eagles and moose, oh my! This colourful and cute Canadian wildlife ABC book depicts animals from coast to coast. Your kid will love the cool bonus facts, too. 

Written and illustrated by William Joyce, Simon and Schuster, $24 (AGES 7–11). Ollie the stuffed bunny is Billy’s favourite toy, and they’re inseparable. But one day, Zozo the clown and his gang of creeps toy-nap Ollie! Will Billy be able to rescue him?

Written by Sherman Alexie and illustrated by Yuyi Morales, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $22 (AGES 5–8). Thunder Boy Jr. is named after his dad, and he hates that. He wants something unique! Little does he know, his dad has already thought of a perfect new moniker.

Written by Amy Novesky and illustrated by Sara Gillingham, Cameron + Company, $19 (AGES 1–5). Love is a tutu, a plié, a jeté and a pirouette! Follow a little prima ballerina as she celebrates what she loves about ballet, while your own tiny dancer learns new en pointe terms.

Written by Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick Press, $20 (AGES 10 and up). Raymie is sure that if she wins the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, her dad will want to come back home. But the competition creates an unlikely friendship instead. 

Written and illustrated by Ella Bailey, Flying Eye Books, $26 (AGES 3-7). Follow one little penguin's journey as she meets new friends and learns to swim and hunt for food. 

Written by Laurie Elmquist and illustrated by Elly MacKay, Orca Books Publishers, $10 (AGES 0-3). A baby's observations at the beach are perfectly illustrated with a lyrical poem in this whimsical board book.

Written by Caroline Adderson and illustrated by Mike Shiell, Kids Can Press, $17 (AGES 7-10). When Jasper's library book gets destroyed, he has to pay the fine or be banned from the library forever.

Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jen Corace, Chronicle Books, $11 (AGES 3-5). All Little Owl wants to do is go to bed early like all of his friends, but that's not what owls do. Mama and Papa says he has to stay up late and play! 

Written and illustrated by Hervé Tullet, Chronicle Books, $22 (AGES 3-8). If you don't think a little yellow dot can be adventurous, think again. Kids will love playing along and following the dot's instructions in this wacky picture book. 

Written by Alison McGhee and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler, Chronicle Books, $24 (AGES 3-5). A dad tells his tot the story behind his tattoos, including the heart on his chest inscribed with a certain somebody's birthday.

Written by Sara O'Leary and illustrated by Karen Klassen, OwlKids Books, $16 (AGES 0-3). So much changes between when baby is born and when he turns one. Celebrate the little victories: First steps, first teeth and first words.

By R.L. Stine, Scholastic, $9 (AGES 8–12). When Kelli and Shawn move next to a swamp, they discover that a legendary monster lives there. Can they convince their dad to move away before it’s too late?

Written by Kevin Henkes and illustrated by Laura Dronzek, HarperCollins, $22 (AGES 4–8). All the children and animals can’t wait for spring. Join them as they watch winter bloom into a new season in this sweet story about the virtue of patience.

Written and illustrated by Taro Miura, Candlewick Press, $10 (AGES 0–3). What’s funnier than butts? Nothing, obviously. This cute board book will have your wee ones giggling as they discover the unique bottoms of ducks, elephants and babies.

Written by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Jon Klassen, HarperCollins Publishers, $21 (AGES 8-12). Pax the fox and his "best boy" Peter are best buds. When Peter's dad goes to war, Peter has to move in with his grandpa and leave Pax behind. Will they ever find each other again?

Written by Dav Pilkey and illustrated by Dan Santat, Scholastic, $7 (AGES 4-8). Ricky and his Mighty Robot have built the coolest fort. But a wicked worm has trapped Mighty Robot under the fort in a tunnel. Ricky needs to save him!

Written by Heather Hartt-Sussman and illustrated by Geneviève Côté, Tundra Books, $18 (AGES 3-7). Noni always tries to be kind and do the right thing, but when her classmate Hector is bullied, Noni is hesitant about standing up for him. Will she be brave enough to do it? 

Written by Vikki Vansickle and illustrated by Cale Atkinson, Tundra Books, $20 (AGES 3-7). Sam thinks her hamster is boring and longs for a mythical creature like a sasquatch or a gryphon. But when she starts imagining disastrous scenarios, she realizes hamsters aren't so bad after all. 

Written by Monique Gray Smith and illustrated by Julie Flett, Orca Book Publishers, $10 (AGES 0-5). Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith explores what it means to be happy, whether it's dancing, drumming or smelling warm bannock in the oven. 

Written and illustrated by Juman Malouf, Penguin Random House, $21 (AGES 9-12). Twins Sonja and Charlotte were born on All Hallows' Eve and adopted into a circus. Suddenly, something happens that forces them to set out on a journey to unlock the secrets of their origins. 

Written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey, Scholastic, $15 (AGES 3-8). All Thelma the Horse ever wanted to be is a special unicorn. One day, she accidentally becomes one with just a carrot, some pink paint and glitter–but it's not as awesome as she thought it'd be. 

Written and illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church, Scholastic, $10 (AGES 0-3). Henry loves his robot, and he wants everyone to know what makes him so special. Your tot will love flipping through this cute touch-and-feel board book.