In a Jar

In a Jar

By Deborah Marcero

Deborah Marcero studied visual arts at university and creative writing in graduate school, and although she did not set out to write children’s books, she can now look back and clearly connect the dots that led her to such tour de forces as her latest, In a Jar.

Llewellyn is a collector. Into glass containers he stores regular collectables such as leaves and heart-shaped rocks until the day he walks down to the river and meets a new bunny friend, Evelyn, sharing with her a jar full of “the color of tart cherry syrup”. This “cherry light” is just one of the intangible things Llewellyn and Evelyn begin to gather together, as their world fills with friendship, the sound of the ocean, the wind just before the snow falls, snowball fights and rainbows.

On the fateful day Evelyn tells her friend their family is moving; the two bunnies’ friendship becomes even more resilient. When Llewellyn sends Evelyn a jar stuffed with a meteor shower and it explodes all around her in a burst of magical realism, we see the strength of friendship. Alluring language, sophisticated drawings, and a marvelously vivid experience for all!

The Tree In Me

The Tree In Me

By Corinna Luyken

With a colour palate brimming with playfulness, the neon pinks, dark browns, mustard yellows and blues in The Tree In Me all help unfurl the idea that people are strong and connected to each other, just as trees are. Poetic and lyrical, Corinna Luyken's joyful meditation may be just what we all need in 2021. Even when we do not see it or realize it, our friends and community are closely tied to us - the same as tree roots that stretch and reach for each other underground. Without any touches of green, Luyken's imaginative illustrations portray our indelible link to nature, and the endless nourishment it provides.

Saturday

Saturday

By Oge Mora

Oge Mora, the Caldecott Award Honor recipient for Thank you, Omu!, does a quick turnaround for another cheery picturebook, this one named Saturday. Ava and her mom set out to relish in their one day of the week spent together, as her mom works six days a week. What happens when they venture out begs the questions, how will you deal with life’s little road bumps?

Oge Mora's illustrations are vibrant collages created from paint, papers, textures she scans and photoshops, old book jackets she cuts up, sewing patterns, old paintings, china markers, and pastels.

Trespassers

Trespassers

By Breena Bard

Gabby Woods and her family visit their cottage by the lake every summer and they always have a great time.  The kids spend their days kayaking, canoeing, fishing and swimming, and evenings are spent around the fire or inside playing charades. 

But this summer feels different.  Gabby and her brother Simon feel pressured to hang out with the new neighbour kids, Paige and Bryan.  But Paige and Bryan are into things like shoplifting and blowing up firecrackers.  Gabby especially feels uncomfortable around Paige.

When the kids come across an abandoned mansion at the edge of the lake, they start to wonder why no one lives there.  The mansion was apparently designed by a famous architect who built it for his glamourous wife.  But one day, the couple disappeared.

Gabby, ever the voracious reader, decides to write a mystery story based on the missing couple and their empty home.  Soon Paige gets involved in helping Gabby with the story.  She insists that the only way they will ever know more about this local mystery is by breaking into the abandoned house. 

Of course, Gabby thinks that’s a crazy idea, but it still sounds enticing.  Soon Gabby and Paige are piecing together a murder mystery that they believe happened right there at the lake.  But once they start digging around in someone else’s business, the two girls could find themselves in real trouble.

Trespassers is a whodunit mystery that is also a graphic novel.  Perfect to read on your summer vacation or under the covers with a flashlight!

The Parker Inheritance

The Parker Inheritance

By Varian Johnson

Candice is about as bored as she can be in Lambert, South Carolina for the summer until she discovers old letters in the attic begging her grandmother to find a treasure. After befriending the shy boy next door, the two are off on the hunt, and together they unravel their town's racist secrets and past. A page turner that doesn't sugarcoat racism, but allows children to process some of its history.

Just Like Me

Just Like Me

By Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Marvelously constructed with layered textures, happy colours, and a poem on each page that reflects different girls' personalities and strengths. Uplifting and affirming poems like “The Day I Decided To Become Sunshine” or "I Am Enough" will find their way into young hearts. On the last page, all the girls come together to pull each other up and form a paper chain. A stand-out.

The List of Things That Will Not Change

The List of Things That Will Not Change

By Rebecca Stead

Divorce brings a wave of change to families, so Bea is dealing with her parents’ divorce by creating a list with them -- a list of things that will never, ever change. They create the list and tell Bea that even though their family may look different in the future, it will still be her family. One change she is actually looking forward to is that her dad is engaged to be married to his boyfriend. Bea loves Jesse! She’s even more exhilarated by the thought of having a new sister, and is sure Sonia will feel the same way, but Bea discovers not everybody experiences the same emotions. Fortunately her trusty green notebook with its list may just help her find her way.

The Thief Knot

The Thief Knot

By Kate Milford

Marzana and Nialla are best friends who live in the Liberty of Gammerbund, just outside of Nagspeake.  Although the Liberty is a known haven for former smugglers, including Marzana’s mother, the girls feel that nothing exciting ever happens and they are dying for an adventure!

When Marzana learns that a girl called Peony Hyde has been kidnapped, she and Nialla decide that they are going to crack the case.  But first they need a crew.  They begin to confide in other kids who may be able to help: Emilia knows her way around all the secret passages in and out of their school, J.J. is a magician, and Ciro is a camofleur.  They are even able to recruit Meddy of Greenglass House fame.  They call themselves The Thief Knot.

The kids are all sworn to secrecy but determined to find the missing girl.  Shy Marzana becomes the leader of The Thief Knot and thrives in that role.  But as danger creeps closer and closer, Marzana wonders if she can really lead a bunch of kids through this dangerous but thrilling mystery.

The Thief Knot is part of the Greenglass House series.  If you love mysteries and adventure, with a little twist of magic, this series is highly recommended!