“It’s a good day to be alive, Frank!” says one worm to another. Turn the page and “SPLAT!” A dinosaur has stepped on poor Frank’s friend. Frank is remarkably unfazed. Instead, Frank takes it in stride and calmly explains the cycle of life and adds that one day, he’ll be eating the dinosaur. After all, worms feast on dead things and return them to the soil. Until that inevitable day arrives, however, the two strike up the most unexpected friendship. Equal parts macabre and hil

I discovered “Crouton” today: a delightful cat adoption story told entirely from the cat’s point of view. Crouton waits patiently at the adoption shelter, always hoping that one day its person will come along. Just when it begins to wonder whether such a person even exists, she does. Once they’re home together, Crouton takes its responsibilities very seriously. It makes sure its person is well cared for, keeps her properly groomed, spends plenty of time with her, and even nud

I’ve been waiting for “Fly in the Chai” and I finally found it in the library today. This is perhaps one of the most light-hearted takes on the love for chai! No, this book isn’t the typical intergenerational-let’s-make-chai-together books, nor does it dwell on the anatomical features of a fly. Instead, Zenia and Chaaya take you on a morning walk with Nanu and introduce you to the different greetings in India: Kem Chho, Shuprobhaat, Sat-Sri-Akal, As-Salaam-Alaikum (“Namaste”

It is waaay too early to talk about back-to-school books, but if you teach Kindergarten and “All Are Welcome” is your staple, it’s perhaps time to shake things up a bit. “Kindergarten Gets Ready” provides a gentle narrative and a soft start to help ease little ones back to school. Written in a ‘days-of-the-week’ structure (like The Hungry Caterpillar), it focuses on what Mr Bee, the teacher, did to the classroom while the children were away; how the carpet was rolled out, the

I wish I had read “Unexpected Guests” to the K2s – they would have loved, loved, loved this page-turner, told from the point of view of mice! Life is peaceful for a large family of mice living beneath the floorboards of a house, until their quiet world is interrupted by the arrival of humans. Having grown up on Uncle Rupert’s wild tales, the mice imagine humans to be giant, fearsome creatures best avoided at all costs. Still, one adventurous mouse and a handful of curious fri

“Why does Tim have two red sprinkles on his cupcake and I only have one?” “Why does Ria’s library book have a book cover and not mine?” “Why is Brian’s Magnatile bigger than mine?” After being met with a steady stream of passionate debates in K2 about what is and isn’t “fair,” I knew I had to get my hands on “Even Steven”. With their signature wit and humour, the duo behind “Don’t Hug Doug” tackle a big idea in their new book that little people think about a lot: being fair.

Spendin’ time at the book launch of Gary Gray Jr.’s new book today was perhaps one of the most heartwarming moments of the past few weeks. A gentle and timely story about slowing down and cherishing the fleeting moments we share with loved ones, it feels especially meaningful as children head into their summer break soon. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous too, perfectly complementing the book’s message. Adults, don’t skip Gary’s note, for it is one of the most beautif

Picture books about drifting friendships often end with characters resolving their differences and becoming friends again. However, some friendships do fade as people grow apart, and in certain situations, that is perfectly okay. “We Used To Be Friends” explores this complex reality with simplicity and grace. The soft illustrations add to the tenderness of the storyline. Book releases in October 2026. A very important read-aloud for tackling friendship issues in your classroo

The story follows a gosling as it works its way out of its shell, speaking to it in a calm and encouraging way. It talks about how tight the space is and gently guides the gosling to breathe, tap, and rest whenever it needs to. Along the side, there are simple notes explaining what is really happening inside the shell as it changes from a safe space to one that feels too small. Each double-page spread is filled with big, eye-catching illustrations showing the gosling struggli

“Loops” is a delightful and uplifting book for young children as they begin mastering new skills, particularly those early challenges like learning to tie their shoes. It beautifully reflects the trial-and-error nature of learning, showing how mistakes, restarts, and persistence are all part of the journey. What stands out most is its warm, playful tone. The story gently reassures children that stumbling along the way is completely normal, making it especially comforting for

I was happy that the hard copy arrived just on the last day of school before the spring break. While the K2 class had the privilege of being read aloud a number of Ramadan books this season, “Ramadan Rain” was the icing on the cake. The story focuses not only on the “what” of Ramadan but the things that truly matter, not just during Ramadan but for any festival, making this book universally relatable for the diverse group of children that I read this book to. And lest I forge

The goofiest book of the season has just arrived! And trust me, all the little Charlie Cheese Faces in your class will unanimously place a fish on your head the moment you finish reading it. Not one-bazillion kid in the class will stop laughing out loud and so will you! Their laughter will reverberate long after you’ve said “You smell like a baby” at the end of the day to them! I do not make any sense at all? Ah, here’s what I mean in present-day language: All the little kids

This book is for anyone who has been through a child throwing a tantrum, and for any child who remembers the last time they threw one. Sometimes mundane matters become a bone of contention, and this time, it is a shoe. Perhaps it is too tight or too loose, but the little girl will not put it on even though it is her favourite, even though her mother grows furious, even though they are late and her mother threatens to throw the shoe away… But amidst all the chaos, the rising t

Gauri and her sister Nandini are very different. Gauri loves soccer and skateboarding; she is bold and energetic. Nandini prefers dance and dresses with care. She is calm, graceful, and confident. One day, Gauri watches Nandini practise Bharatanatyam. She hears the soft jingle of her sister’s ghungroos. The sound fascinates her and she decides she wants to try dancing too. Nandini begins to teach her the steps, the mudras, and the rhythm. Gauri tries her best, but she feels c

Sadie loves art, and so does her grandmother. Along the way, Grandma also shares stories about Jewish traditions like the meaning of ‘chai’ (“life” in Hebrew) and the lucky number 18. When Grandma’s college graduation approaches, Sadie wants to create a gift that truly matters. She experiments with different ideas like stamping lilac stems, pressing dandelions, arranging buttons into flowers, but nothing feels special enough. Her idea finally comes together at a Jewish weddin

The title “Mango Memories” was enough to tug at something tender inside me. Before I even turned the first page, I could almost smell the sweetness of summer. The story follows a little girl plucking ripe mangoes from heavy-laden branches, each fruit becoming more than food, each one becoming a memory, golden and glowing. Her “mango memories” felt achingly familiar. Because I have my own. My grandparents owned a mango orchard, passed down through generations; trees that had w

Here’s a little library magic from today’s browse! “In-Between Places” is a contemplative picture book rich with metaphor, exploring those moments when you feel suspended between identities, choices, or directions, when you are neither here nor there, and the only way forward is a leap of faith. Layered with philosophical depth, this book is especially fitting for upper elementary students beginning to wrestle with uncertainty and complexity that comes with choice.

This touching picture book tells the story of a young child struggling to read, inspired by Kate Rolfe’s own experiences. Narrated in the first person, it portrays how letters seem to wiggle, blur, and change shape on the page. Words like “read,” “red,” and “rid” capture the confusion, embarrassment, and frustration she feels. At one point, letters tumble like an avalanche, symbolizing how overwhelming reading can be. Yet through perseverance and growing confidence, she gradu

This simple yet fascinating read explores the air that surrounds us from the moment we are born, though we cannot see, smell, or hear it. Full of possibilities for creative teaching, the text works beautifully as a read-aloud for kindergarteners. Its true strength, however, lies in serving as a mentor text for teaching personified nonfiction in elementary classrooms. I can already imagine our students creating their own “I Am” nonfiction pieces after experiencing this book! A

A read-aloud of X. Fang’s “Broken” led a third grader to recall the morning she and her brother shattered their mother’s vase while playing ball indoors. If a book can move even one child to spontaneously put pen to paper and begin to see themselves as a writer, I believe that is an honour far truer than a Newbery.