The best Canadian picture books of 2020

Here areCBC Books's picksfor the top Canadian picturebooksof 2020.

Peter and the Tree Children by Peter Wohlleben, illustrated by Cale Atkinson

InPeter and the Tree Children, asquirrel feels all alone in his forest home. Peter the Forester has the perfect plan to cheer him up: a search for tree children. During the search, Peter offers facts about how trees communicate and care for each other, and the struggles they endure. Soon, the little squirrel feels much better because he helped the tree children grow.

Peter and the Tree Children is for ages4 to 8.

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Peter Wohlleben is the author of numerous books, including The Hidden Life of Trees and its follow ups The Inner Life of Animals and The Secret Wisdom of Nature.

Cale Atkinson is a Kelowna, B.C.-based illustrator, writer and animator. His work has appeared in numerous children's books, animated shorts, games and on television.

Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan, illustrated byAnna Bron

In Salma the Syrian Chef, Salmawants to cook a heartwarming dish to cheer up her mama, who between English classes, job interviews and missing her husband back in Syria,always seems busy or sad. Syrian culture is depictedthrough the meal Salma prepares and Anna Bron's vibrant illustrations, while the diverse cast of characters speaks to the power of cultivating community in challenging circumstances.

Salma the Syrian Chefis for ages4-7.

• How a love for food and belonging inspired Danny Ramadan to write a book for children

Ahmad Danny Ramadan is a Syrian-Canadian author, award-winning activist and public speaker. His first book was thenovel The Clothesline Swing, which was longlisted for Canada Reads 2018.Salma the Syrian Chef is his first book for children.

Anna Bronis a Vancouver-based freelanceillustrator and animation director.

The Next Chapter8:07Danny Ramadan on Salma The Syrian Chef

Danny Ramadan on his first children's book, Salma The Syrian Chef, illustrated by Anna Bron, which he launched on Twitter.

My Soca Birthday Partyby Yolanda T. Marshall

My Soca Birthday Partyis about a young girl named Anne who can't wait to celebrate her birthday. Her school friends are excited to celebrate as well and talk about the food and music that they will experience. When the day arrives, Anne's birthday party is an evening celebration of everything Anne loves, including Caribbean soca music played on steel pans and West Africa's spicy jollof rice.

My Soca Birthday Partyis for ages 3 and up.

• Why Yolanda T. Marshall created a picture book about the tastes and sounds of Africa and the Caribbean

Yolanda T. Marshall is a Guyanese Canadian author of children's books based in Ontario.

The Next Chapter12:03Yolanda T. Marshall on My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans

Yolanda T. Marshall celebrates the diversity of food in the picture book My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans.

Our Corner Store by Robert Heidbreder, illustrated by Chelsea O'Byrne

In Our Corner Store,Stanstones corner store is the heart of the neighborhood and the source of many adventures for the two siblings in the story. When a supermarket opens in the town, the corner store's livelihood is in jeopardy.

Our Corner Storeis for ages6 to 9.

• Children's poet Robert Heidbreder captures the community of nightly pot-banging for healthcare workers

Robert Heidbreder is an award-winning author and writer of children's poetry.His books include I Wished for a Unicorn, Drumheller Dinosaur Dance, Song for a Summer Night and Rooster Summer.

Chelsea O'Byrne is a Vancouver-based freelance illustrator and art instructor. She is also the illustrator of Hello, Crow! by Candace Savage and Marisa and the Mountains by George M. Johnson.

Son of Happy by Cary Fagan, illustrated by Milan Pavlovi

Son of Happy tells the story of a boy who is embarrassed by his father's occupation as a party clown. The boy wishes his dad had a normal job like the other parents. As business slows, his dad announces that he's going back to his old job as a lawyer. While his dad's new job affords him and his family finer things, he wonders if he misses being a clown.

Son of Happy is for ages6 to 9.

• Why Cary Fagan has a love-hate relationship with words

Cary Fagan'skids' books include the popular Kaspar Snit novels, the two-volume Master Melville's Medicine Show and the picture book Mr. Zinger's Hat, which received the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. He is also the author of the novel A Bird's Eyeand the short story collection My Life Among the Apes.

Milan Pavlovi is a Toronto-based illustrator, graphic artist and educator. He is the illustrator of several children's books in Canada, including The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle by Anne Renaud.

Hey Little Rockabye by Buffy Sainte-Marie, illustrated by Ben Hodson

Hey Little Rockabyeconveys an important message about finding love and acceptance and shares a not-yet-released song about pet adoption from Buffy Sainte-Marie. A puppy is looking for someone to love him. A young girl rescues the little dog and tries to convince her parents to let her keep him.

Hey Little Rockabyeis for ages3 to 7.

• Buffy Sainte-Marie's love of animals shines through in her first picture book for kids

Cree singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie's long career includes an expansive catalogue of music, art and work in activism. Hey Little Rockabye is her first children's picture book.

Ben Hodson is an award-winning illustrator of more than 20 children's books.

The Next Chapter12:35Buffy Sainte-Marie on Hey Little Rockabye

Musician Buffy Sainte-Marie's first picture book, Hey Little Rockabye, is about a subject close to her heart: pet adoption.

Raven Squawk, Orca SqueakbyRoy Henry Vickers & Robert "Lucky" Budd

Raven Squawk, Orca Squeakintroduces young readers to iconic sounds of the West Coast, like roaring sea lions, rustling cedar branches in the wind, sacred drumming of a potlatch and the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. It's the fourth board book in The First West Coast Book series, which includesHello Humpback!, One Eagle SoaringandSockeye Silver Saltchuck Blue.

Raven Squawk, Orca Squeakis for ages 0-3.

• Artist Roy Henry Vickers on making art andbeating addiction

Roy Henry Vickersis a B.C.-based renowned carver, painter and printmaker. He is the co-author of the popular children's Northwest Coast Legends series, which includesRaven Brings the Light,Cloudwalker,Orca ChiefandPeace Dancer.

B.C.-based writer Robert "Lucky" Buddis the co-author of the Northwest Coast Legends series and the author ofVoices ofBritish Columbiaand its sequel,Echoes of British Columbia.

The Current17:41ENCORE: Artist Roy Henry Vickers on making art, beating addiction and turning 70

The B.C. artist, carver, designer and storyteller, Roy Henry Vickers, explains how art helped him beat a life-threatening addiction, and says he's now eager to create and share Aboriginal stories.

My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee, illustrated by Elaine Chen

My Day with Gong Gongis a story about a little girl, her grandfather and a fateful day in Chinatown. Little May doesn't seem to connect with her grandpa Gong Gong, who only speaks a little English. They are out on a day trip and she isn'thaving much fun. But May realizes that Gong Gong knows much more than he is letting on and the two end up having a wonderfulday together.

My Day with Gong Gongis for ages 4-7.

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Sennah Yee is a poet andwriter from Toronto. She released her debut collection of poetry,How Do I Look?in 2017.

Elaine Chen is anillustrator and art director from Vancouver.

The Name I Call Myself by Hasan Namir, illustrated by Cathryn John

Born Edward, the child inThe Name I Call Myselfprefers to be called Ari. This picture follows their journey from six to being a teenager as they learn more about gender,identity and self-acceptance.

The Name I Call Myselfis for ages 5-9.

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Hasan Namir is a poet and novelist from Vancouver. He is also the author of the novelGod in Pinkand the poetry collectionWar /Torn.CBC Books named Namira writer to watch in 2019.

Cathryn John is an illustrator and designer fromVancouver.

Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope 40 years later

4 years ago

Duration 7:32

Forty years after Terry Fox ran his Marathon of Hope, an Olympian, Paralympian and one of his brothers look back on his accomplishments and his legacy. Darrell Fox has edited a new book of letters about his brothers inspiration, dedication, and perseverance.

When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt

When We Are Kindis a picture book that walks children throughsimple acts of everyday kindness. Itwascreated with the aim toencouragechildren to explore their feelings and to use kindness each and every day.

When We Are Kindis for ages3-5.

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Monique Gray Smithis amixed-heritage Cree, Lakotaand Scottish author who often writes and speaks about the resilience of Indigenous communities in Canada. She is also the author of the children's booksSpeaking Our Truthand You Hold Me Up and the novels Tilly and Tilly and the Crazy Eights.

Nicole Neidhardt is a Dinvisual artist and illustrator.When We Are Kindis her first children's book.

The Next Chapter3:28Jillian Tamaki on Our Little Kitchen

Jillian Tamaki tells the story of volunteers in a community kitchen in the picture book Our Little Kitchen.

Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White by Saumiya Balasubramaniam, illustrated by Eva Campbell

Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of Whiteis a touching story about a child and her mother living in a new country and encountering snow for the first time. While the mother misses the warmth of backhome, the girl sees magic in the winter sky of her new land.

Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of Whiteis for ages 3-7.

Saumiya Balasubramaniam is an author from Ontario. She is also the author of the picture bookWhen I Found Grandma, which was illustrated by Qin Leng.

Eva Campbellis an artist and teacher from Victoria. Her work has been exhibited around the world, including in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Barbados and Ghana. She also illustrated the picture bookAfricville, which was a finalist for the2018 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature illustrated booksand the2019 MarilynBailliePicture Book Award.

Bad Dogby Mike Boldt

This picture book is a fun-filled tale about alittle girl who wants a dog but gets a cat named Rocky for her birthday instead.Rocky doesn't listen or obey like all the other dogs. But the little girl insists that Rocky is a dog regardless.

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Mike Boldtis anauthor and illustrator from Alberta. His other books includeFindFergus,Thunder TrucksandI Don't Want to Go to Sleep.

Going Up!by Sherry Lee, illustrated by Charlene Chua

Going Up!is a story about community and a sense of belonging, showcased through a young girl's ride up an elevator to her friend's birthday party. The picture book, illustrated by Charlene Chua, portrays characters from many cultural backgrounds and showcases the everyday diversity that many urban children experience.

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Sherry J. Lee is a writer from Toronto.Going Up!is Lee's first picture book.

Charlene Chua is a Singapore-born Canadian author and illustrator. She has illustrated several picture books, includingThe PencilbySusan AvingaqandMaren Vsetula,Shubh Diwali!by Chitra SoundarandAmy Wu and the Perfect Baoby Kat Zhang.She is the author and illustrator ofHug?

Grandmother Schoolby Rina Singh, illustrated by Ellen Rooney

Learning never stops is the lesson learned in picture bookGrandmother School.It's the story of a little girl,her grandmother and the school the grandmother attends to learn to read and write.Grandmother Schoolis a celebration of family, women and the power of education at any age.

Rina Singh is an India-born Canadian author from Toronto. She has written more than a dozen books for children, including111 Trees,Diwali Lights,A Forest of StoriesandMoon Tales.

Ellen Rooneyis a designer, artist and children's book illustrator from B.C. She also illustrated the picture booksHer Fearless Runby Kim Chaffee andDusk Explorersby Lindsay Leslie.

The Truth About Windby Hazel Hutchins & Gail Herbert, illustrated by Duan Petrii

Telling the truth and why it matters is the focus of the picture bookThe Truth About Wind.It's the story of Jesse and the toy horse that he loves. The horse is the fastest in the whole world and is named Wind. Only thing is, Wind doesn't exactly belong to Jesseit was accidentally left behind and the real owner is out there somewhere. Jesse must make a decision to tell his mother the truth about the horse, even though it's his favourite new toy.

Hazel Hutchinsis an author from Alberta who has written over 50 books for children and young adults. Gail Herbert is an Ontario-based writer and author.The Truth About Windis the third book by Hutchins and Hebert. They also co-wroteAnna at the Art MuseumandMattland.

Duan Petriiis a Serbian artist and illustrator. He lived in Toronto for more than a decade, and has illustrated several Canadian children's books, includingIn the Tree HousebyAndrew Larsen,Mr. Zinger's HatbyCary Fagan, theJacob Two-Two series by Mordecai Richler and several picture books by Margaret Atwood.

Terry Fox and Meby Mary Beth Leatherdale, illustrated by Milan Pavlovi

Terry Fox and Melooks at the childhoodof Terry Fox before he was known as a national hero and icon for hisMarathon of Hope and fight against cancer. The book looks at his friendship with Doug and how the two met at basketball tryouts and then worked hard to be the best they could be at whatever they did.

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Mary Beth Leatherdale is an author and storytellerbased in Toronto. She, along with co-writer Lisa Charleyboy, won theBest Young Adult Book at the 2018AILAYouth Literature Awards for their anthology#NotYourPrincess.

Milan Pavlovi is an illustrator, graphic artist and educator from Toronto. He is the illustrator of several children's books, includingThe Boy Who Invented the PopsiclebyAnne Renaud.

The Next Chapter19:42Children's book panel -- December 2020

Our panel of experts, Ken Setterington, Michele Landsberg and Bee Quammie, share some of their current favourite children's books.

The Paper Boat by Thao Lam

The Paper Boatuses collage art to tell a wordless story about a family'sescape from Vietnam a journey that connects withnature and an ant colony. The Paper Boatdepicts a perilous journey of hope, perseverance and new beginnings.

The Paper Boatis for ages 6-9.

Thao Lam is an author and illustrator from Toronto. Herpicture books includeWallpaperandMy Cat Looks Like My Dad.

Hockey in the Wild by Nicholas Oldland

Hockey in the Wildexploreslessons on patience and perseverance along with wild animals playing hockey!The picture book is set in winter and the bear, the moose and the beaver are excited to play the game they all love. But the ice on the lake isn't quite frozen enough and the animals must learn to wait until it is ready.

Nicholas Oldland is an artist, filmmaker and author from Toronto. His other picture books include One Wild Christmas, The Busy Beaver, Big Bear Hugand Up the Creek.

Hug? by Charlene Chua

Hug?is a picture book about awareness and setting appropriate boundaries. Using humour, the book features a child who wants to know how many hugs is too many. In examining compassion and empathy, the child figures out just how to express what she likes and doesn't like.

Hug?is for ages 3-7.

Charlene Chua is a Singapore-born Canadian author and illustrator. She has illustrated several picture books, including The Pencil bySusan AvingaqandMaren Vsetula,Shubh Diwali! by Chitra SoundarandAmy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang.

Our Little Kitchen by Jillian Tamaki

Our Little Kitchenis apicture book that features a neighbourhood withcolourful characters who come together in the kitchen to share a meal.Our Little Kitchenis a celebration of food, community and laughter.

Our Little Kitchenis for ages 4-8.

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Jillian Tamaki is an award-winning illustrator. In 2014, Tamaki received the Governor General's LiteraryAwardfor her work inThisOne Summer,written by her cousin and graphic novelist MarikoTamaki. They also collaboratedonSkim. Her other books include the comics SuperMutant Magic Academy and Boundless and the picture book They Say Blue.

Tamaki created a comic strip calledThis Facefor the specialCBC BooksseriesBorders.

The Barnabus Project by the Fan Brothers

The Barnabus Projectfeatures a secret underground lab, genetically engineeredcreatures and a story about freedom.Barnabus and his friends live in this lab but they are deemed imperfect and might never see the outside world. ButBarnabusyearns to be free and decides that it's time for he and his imperfect friends to make the perfect escape.

The Barnabus Projectis for ages 5-9.

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Eric Fan and Terry Fan are brothers and frequent collaborators on children's books. Theirbooks includeThe Night Gardener andOcean Meets Sky. They also illustratedThe Darkest Darkby Chris Hadfield.

Devin Fan is an artist, poet and youth worker.The Barnabus Projectis his first children's book and marks the first time all three brothers have written and illustrated a picture book together.

Nattiq And The Land Of Statues by Barbara Landry, illustrated by Martha Kyak

A ringed seal, known in Inuktitut as nattiq, has returned to his Arctic home from his a long trek south in Nattiq And The Land Of Statues. His friends a polar bear, caribou, raven, walrus and narwhal gather to hear about the amazing sights he saw on his journey. The book also includes a glossary of Inuktitut words.

Nattiq And The Land Of Statues is for ages3-7.

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Barbara Landry has written several books of poetry, including nunami. Nattiq And The Land Of Statues is her first children's book.

Martha Kyak is an Inuit artist who has illustrated numerous children's books.

The Bug Girl by Sophia Spencer with Margaret McNamara, illustrated by Kerascot

The Bug Girlis the story of seven-year-old Sophia Spencer, who was bullied in schoolfor loving bugs. One day, her mother wrote to an entomological society in search of a bug scientist to be a pen pal for her daughter.In response, hundreds of women scientists rallied around her. Now Sophiahas written her inspiring story in this picture book celebratingwomen in science, bugs of all kinds and the importance of staying true to yourself.

The Bug Girlis for ages 4-8.

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Sophia Spencerlives in Sarnia, Ont., and is inGrade 4. The Bug Girl is her first book.

Margaret McNamarais a New York City-basedauthor of the Mr. Tiffin Classroom series, whichincludesThe Dinosaur Expert, A Poem in Your Pocket, The Apple Orchard RiddleandHow Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?. She is also the author ofEliza, The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton.

Kerascotis the pen name of French illustrator duo and husband-and-wife teamMarie Pommepuy and Sbastien Cosset. They are also the illustrators ofBeautiful Darkness by Fabie Vehlmann, Jacky Ha-Ha by James Patterson and Chris Grabensteinand Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai.

The Bat by Elise Gravel

Disgusting Critters is an illustrated nonfiction series dedicated to disgusting creatures. The books containfactual information meant to both amuse and teach young readers at the same time. The latest addition isThe Bat, which teaches children aboutnocturnal creature'shabitat, species of which there are 1,200 echolocation, hibernation, conservation and more.

The Batis for ages 6-9.

• Quebec author-illustrator Elise Gravel teaches kids that it's okay to be cranky

Elise Gravel is anauthor and illustrator from Quebec known for her zany graphic novels and picture books.Her books includeThe Worst Book Ever, The Cranky BallerinaandThe Mushroom Fan Club.

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustratedSydney Smith

I Talk Like a Riveris a picture book about a young boy who has trouble communicating and is feeling lost and alone. His father takes him for a walk by the river, where he helps him find his voice.

I Talk Like a Riveris for ages 4-8.

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Jordan Scottis a poet from Comox Valley, B.C. His books includeSlit,Blert,Decomp,co-authored by Stephen Collis,andNight & Ox.Scottwas awarded the 2018 LatnerWriters' Trust Poetry Prize, which is given annually to a mid-career poet.I Talk Like a Riveris his first children's book.

Sydney Smithis an illustrator from Nova Scotia. The books he has illustrated includeSidewalk Flowersby JonArno Lawson andTown is by the Sea,writtenby Joanne Schwartz. He wrote and illustrated the picture bookSmall in the City, which wonthe 2019 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature, illustration.

My Family, Your Family!by Kathryn Cole, illustrated by Cornelia Li

What is the nature of family?My Family, Your Family!showcases the many different types of families, including gay parents, single parents, blended familiesand other family groups.

My Family, Your Family!is for ages 0-3.

Kathryn Coleis anillustrator, art director, editor, publisher andchildren's book author from Toronto. Her other books for children includeA Tattle-Tell TaleandNever Give Up,both illustrated by Qin Leng.

Cornelia Li is an illustrator and storyteller from Toronto. She also illustrated the booksVoyage Through Space, Animals at NightandNature's Light Spectacular, all written by Katy Flint.

Summer Feet by Sheree Fitch, illustrated by Carolyn Fisher

Summer Feetis a tongue-twisting picture book that celebrates all the things summer has to offer, including barefoot days, bonfires and dances in the rain. The story is brought to life by Carolyn Fisher's colourful illustrations.

Summer Feet is for ages4 to 8.

• Sheree Fitch talks about her latest children'sbook, Summer Feet

Sheree Fitch is the author of several children's books, includingMabelMurple, and young adult novels, likeThe Gravesavers. She received the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People in 2000. While Fitchis known for her work in children's literature, she has also authored poetry books, including the 1993 collectionIn This House AreMany Women,and novels for adults, includingKiss the Joy as it Flies.

Carolyn Fisher is an award-winning artist and author. She has illustrated seven books, also authoring two of them. Her credits include illustrating Weeds Find a Way, Good Night, World and now Summer Feet.

Snow Daysby Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Miki Sato

Snow Daysuses textured collage art and rhyming couplets to depict the joy and magic of the season called winter. The picture sees children marvelling at the fun winter can bring.

Snow Daysis for ages 2-5.

Deborah Kerbelis a children's bookauthor from Ontario. Her other books includethe picture booksBefore You Were BornandSun Dog,both illustrated by Suzanne Del Rizzo, the middle-grade booksFeatheredandBye-Bye Evil Eyeand the YA booksMackenzie, Lost and FoundandGirl on the Other Side.

Miki Satois a Japanese Canadian illustrator originally from Ottawa.Her work has previously appeared in Today's Parent, Reader's Digest and the Walrus.