A tender, sensory-rich picture book about the many ways love is shared in everyday moments. As a child helps prepare tea with a loved one, each step (pouring, waiting, sipping) becomes an expression of care, patience, and connection. With gentle language and warm illustrations, this story celebrates family, cultural traditions, and the quiet intimacy of being together. A soothing, heartfelt read perfect for cozy sharing.
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| The Snowball Fight |
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| Snuggle Season |
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| Percy the Park Keeper: A Classic Treasury |
A warm and charming collection of stories that celebrates kindness, friendship, and helping others. Set in a peaceful park, the book follows Percy as he looks after both the park and the animals who live there, always finding clever and caring solutions to their problems. Butterworth’s gentle humor and detailed illustrations make the stories engaging and comforting, especially for younger readers. This treasury is a delightful read that encourages empathy and shows the joy of looking out for others.
The Capybaras by Alfredo SoderguitThe Capybaras
In this beautiful and simple book, hens and their chicks are living safe and secure in their coop, or at least it seems that way... until the day the capybaras appear! As time passes and days change, minds begin to open and new possibilities appear. Can the hens accept the capybaras after all?
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| Supposing |
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| Corner |
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| Buffalo Fluffalo |
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| Ivy Lost and Found |
Ivy was Anne the librarian's doll when she was a young girl. But now she has moved to Anne's library to be its newest Book Buddy--a toy that can be checked out just like a book. Ivy isn't sure she wants to be borrowed, though. She'd rather go back to just being Anne's favorite toy. Fern, a child who visits the library with her stepfamily, also wishes things could go back to the way they were, when Fern had her dad all to herself. When Fern takes Ivy home, an unexpected outdoor adventure helps both of them find confidence and belonging in their changing worlds. This heartwarming story by Cynthia Lord, with a classic feel and gentle illustrations by Stephanie Graegin, is the first in a chapter-book series that pairs friendly toys with child characters who need them.
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| When You Can Swim |
A celebration of learning to swim among a diverse cast of children and families who each experience the mysterious joys of water in nature. In this exploration of what it truly means to swim, sandpipers, tannin-soaked lakes, and the feeling of a small waterfall on sun-soaked shoulders are all introduced. But what about those who are afraid of the water’s mysterious ways and resist learning to swim? Painting a compelling picture of the many joys and surprises that the water holds, artist and author Jack Wong has delivered an empowering, poetic journey that invites children to discover their confidence within to receive the warmth and wonder of the natural world.
Just in time for summer.
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| Kumo the basful cloud |
Kumo’s duties end for the day with her wafting into a well-deserved “delicate, dreamy sleep,” having learned that both being seen and being unseen can be good. Sprinkled with Japanese vocabulary, Kumo will impart a new appreciation for clouds and show readers how it can sometimes be frightening to step into the world, then reassuring them that others are willing to help when we overcome our bashfulness.
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| Abalone Woman |
Abalone Woman is the third book in the Little Wolf series for young readers. Here, Little Wolf has a bad dream but it reminds her to learn more about Indigenous culture and the importance of passing on knowledge to the new generation. When Little Wolf encounters injustice in her community, she turns to her family for the strength to fight back.
Local author Spathelfer has all three picturebooks at the Richmond Public Library:
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| Abuelita and Me |
An empowering story of a girl and her grandmother travelling by bus across the city when racist slurs are directed at the grandmother, Abuelita. How the two decide to react to this situation gives an example of a way to maintain dignity and respond with positivity when someone is being mean.
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| Out Into the Big Wide Lake |
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| Letters From Bear |
A longer picturebook for ages 4-8, Letters From Bear is an enchanting story of Bear, who misses his friend, Bird.
"Dear Bird,
I've made up my mind.
I'm coming to find you on the other side of the world.
All our friends have wished me a safe journey.
"Don't get too hot," said Badger.
"Bring me back a coconut," said Fox.
"We'll be thinking of you," said Beaver.
Here I come, Bird!
Yours,Bear
An epistolary book that would be perfect to teach letter writing. Such a sweet ending, too!
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| I Dream of a Journey |
Evocative, I Dream of a Journey takes us travelling along with the many guests of the Solitude Hotel, who send the innkeeper postcards from their adventures. Black and white ink drawings are juxtaposed with full colour images of sunnier days on the road.
The pandemic has left even the armchair traveller ready for the next trip. Freedom and solitude play chess in this otherwordly picturebook.
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| Everybody in the Red Brick Building |
A clever, cumulative story of a chain effect of sounds that wakes up a community of neighbors (including one cat) starting from the bottom of an apartment building travelling all the way to the top. But just as the noises reach a climax, the author brings down the energy as the onomonopedia sounds travel back to the first floor. Goodnight! This is a super fun bedtime book that children will be begging to read for many years to come.
By Jory John, illustrated by Lane Smith
Grouchy cat has problems. Sometimes he gets dry food - not wet! Sometimes the other cat is in his spot. Or his other spot. Or his third spot! And sometimes the vacuum cleaner turns on and becomes a furocious monster!
The worst part is the squirrel who mocks him from the outside world, informing him that he has it MUCH better on the inside.
Absolutely the most hysterical book of 2021, whether or not you have a cat at home.
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| Hello, Rain! |
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| Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It) |
Don't Hug Doug encourages kids to take an empathetic approach to others who do not enjoy hugging. A great resource for teachers, as well as a great example of differences in people that need to be respected. After all, many can relate to Doug!
