Top Children’s Books by Canadian Authors

Oh, Canada — home to the maple leaf, poutine, Double-Doubles, the 2019 NBA Champions, Justin Beiber, beavers and diverse people from all over the world who immigrate to call Canada home. 

But did you know that Canada is also home to some of the finest children’s authors? Check out our list below of some of our favourite children’s books written by Canadians!

The Sharing Circle: Stories About First Nations Culture

Author: Theresa Meuse-Dallien

Sharing Circle includes seven children’s stories about First Nations culture and spirituality practices. All seven stories — The Eagle Feather, The Dream Catcher, The Sacred Herbs, The Talking Circle, The Medicine Wheel, The Drum, and The Medicine Pouch — explore First Nations cultural practices and teach children about Mi’kmaq beliefs and heritage. Researched and written by Mi’kmaw children’s author Theresa Meuse-Dallien and beautifully illustrated by Mi’kmaw illustrator Arthur Stevens, this book will engage and inform children of all ages.

Something From Nothing

Author: Phoebe Gilman

Based on the Yiddish folktale “Joseph’s Overcoat,” Phoebe Gilman’s gorgeous artwork in Something From Nothing charts the transformation of the blanket and the progress of Joseph’s family through the years, subtly teaching young readers about a lost way of life.

Baby Beluga

Author: Raffi

Baby Beluga is based on the signature song by the artist Raffi in book form to sing along to!

Baseball Bats for Christmas

Authors:  Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak and Vladyana Krykorka

This book is set in a small village in the Northwest Territories reminisces about a childhood Christmas holiday in 1955.

Love You Forever

Author: Robert Munsch

It’s hard to pick our favourite Robert Munsch book out of the many, but Love You Forever is a classic (and a tearjerker!).

Malaika’s Winter Carnival

Author: Nadia L. Hohn

In Malaika’s Winter Carnival, Malaika is happy to be reunited with Mummy, but it means moving to Canada, where everything is different. It’s cold in Québec City, no one understands when she talks and Carnival is nothing like the celebration Malaika knows from home! It takes a video chat with Grandma to help Malaika see the good things about her new home and family.

A Trio of Tolerable Tales

Author: Margaret Atwood

Wordplay and outrageous adventures rule the day in these three humorous stories from Margaret Atwood.

Scaredy Squirrel

Author: Mélanie Watt

Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It’s way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he’s well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel’s emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute. Day after day he watches and waits, and waits and watches, until one day ? his worst nightmare comes true! Scaredy suddenly finds himself out of his tree, where germs, poison ivy and sharks lurk. But as Scaredy Squirrel leaps into the unknown, he discovers something really uplifting.

Wild Berries

Author: Julie Flett

Spend the day picking wild blueberries with Clarence and his grandmother. Meet ant, spider, and fox in a beautiful woodland landscape, the ancestral home of author and illustrator Julie Flett. This book is written in both Enlglish and Cree, in particular the n-dialect, also known as Swampy Cree from the Cumberland House area.

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Did we miss one of your favourites? Comment below with the title and author to share!