
Maria Recommends - Spring 2020 Children's
Here is a list of my favourite picture books, fiction, graphic novels and non-fiction titles for spring and summer. If you can’t find what you need, please feel free to email me [email protected] anytime. I’m happy to help you with selection. We have thousands of books on any theme you need. Browse our website for lots of great core titles, and let us know if you need any help.

ON MY MOUNTAIN
By: francois aubineau | Published: February 2020
Both the shepherd and the wolf live on the mountain. They love their home and want to feel safe there. This book tells the same story, in identical wo... [Read More]
Both the shepherd and the wolf live on the mountain. They love their home and want to feel safe there. This book tells the same story, in identical words, from both the wolf's perspective and that of the shepherd. Read the wolf's story then flip it over and read the shepherd's story and see the landscape that each of them sees. A good reminder of how humans should behave in the wild and on this earth that we share.
Theme: Perpective
- ISBN
9781459822320 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

VIOLET SHRINK
By: christi baldacchino | Published: March 2020
Violet Shrink doesn't like parties. Or bashes, or gatherings. Lots of people and lots of noise make Violet's tummy ache and her hands sweat. She would... [Read More]
Violet Shrink doesn't like parties. Or bashes, or gatherings. Lots of people and lots of noise make Violet's tummy ache and her hands sweat. She would much rather spend time on her own, watching the birds in her backyard, reading comics or listening to music through her purple headphones. The problem is that the whole Shrink family loves parties with loud music and games and dancing.
Theme: Kindergarten, Story Time
- ISBN
9781773062051 - Binding
Hardcover Canadian - Category
Picture Book

KEITH AMONG THE PIGEONS
By: katie brosnan | Published: April 2020
Keith feels different to the other cats, who don't like to wash in bird baths or nap in the branches of trees. He begins to wonder if he actually is a... [Read More]
Keith feels different to the other cats, who don't like to wash in bird baths or nap in the branches of trees. He begins to wonder if he actually is a cat. He's always felt more comfortable when surrounded by pigeons. But when he tries to join them, the birds see him as a cat and keep their distance. Is he a cat or a pigeon?
- ISBN
9781786283443 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

WHAT IF BUNNY'S NOT A BULLY
By: lana button | Published: March 2020
Not your typical bullying story. Gertie the elephant says everyone on the playground should stay away from Bunny because she’s super mean. But K... [Read More]
Not your typical bullying story. Gertie the elephant says everyone on the playground should stay away from Bunny because she’s super mean. But Kitty has questions: How did Bunny become a bully? Was she born that way? Did she catch the bully flu? Wait, does that mean bullying is contagious? Could the other animals catch it? But … then no one would play would them either, and that doesn’t seem fair. Might Bunny be sorry? Should they give her a second chance? Flipping the focus turns ideas about bullies (and those who call them that!) on their heads.
Theme: Bullying issues
- ISBN
9781525300554 - Binding
Hardcover Canadian - Category
Picture Book

YOU ARE READY
By: eric carle | Published: April 2020
Bold illustrations and easy-to-read text encourage children who are going out into the world to spread their wings, knowing they have everything they ... [Read More]
Bold illustrations and easy-to-read text encourage children who are going out into the world to spread their wings, knowing they have everything they need inside them.
- ISBN
9780062953520 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

QUIET GIRL
By: peter carnavas | Published: July 2020
Celebrated author-illustrator Peter Carnavas's gentle family story about mindfulness and stillness reminds us of the beauty all around us--if we only ... [Read More]
Celebrated author-illustrator Peter Carnavas's gentle family story about mindfulness and stillness reminds us of the beauty all around us--if we only take the time to notice it.
- ISBN
9781772781229 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

VOTE FOR ME
By: ben clanton | Published: February 2020
Hey, you! Yes, you with the dazzling smile! The donkey wants your vote. So does the elephant. And each will do just about anything to win your support... [Read More]
Hey, you! Yes, you with the dazzling smile! The donkey wants your vote. So does the elephant. And each will do just about anything to win your support. Brag? Sure! Flatter? Absolutely! Exaggerate, name-call, make silly promises and generally act childish? Yes, yes, yes and yes. Soon, the tension mounts, and these two quarrelsome candidates resort to slinging mud (literally) and flinging insults. And what happens when the election results are in? Well, let's just say the donkey and the elephant are in for a little surprise--and a certain bewhiskered, third-party candidate is in for a first term!
- ISBN
9780735267589 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

1 LITTLE BAG: AN AMAZING JOURNEY
By: henry cole | Published: April 2020
An evocative wordless picture book that is a loving tribute to mindful living on our precious planet. From a tall tree growing in the forest--to th... [Read More]
An evocative wordless picture book that is a loving tribute to mindful living on our precious planet. From a tall tree growing in the forest--to the checkout counter at the grocery store--one little bag finds its way into the hands of a young boy on the eve of his first day of school. And so begins an incredible journey of one little bag that is usedand reusedand reused again. In a three-generation family, the bag is transporter of objects and keeper of memories. And when Grandfather comes to the end of his life, the family finds a meaningful new way for the battered, but much-loved little bag to continue its journey in the circle of life.
- ISBN
9781338359978 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

WHEREVER I GO
By: mary copp | Published: April 2020
A hopeful and timely picture book about a spirited little girl living in a refugee camp. Of all her friends, Abia has been at the Shimelba Refugee Cam... [Read More]
A hopeful and timely picture book about a spirited little girl living in a refugee camp. Of all her friends, Abia has been at the Shimelba Refugee Camp the longest—seven years, four months, and sixteen days. Papa says that’s too long and they need a forever home. Until then, though, Abia has something important to do. Be a queen. Sometimes she’s a noisy queen, banging on her drum as she and Mama wait in the long line for rice to cook for dinner. Sometimes she’s a quiet queen, cuddling her baby cousin to sleep while Auntie is away collecting firewood. And sometimes, when Papa talks hopefully of their future, forever home, Abia is a little nervous. Forever homes are in strange and faraway places—will she still be a queen? Filled with hope, love, and respect, Wherever I Go is a timely tribute to the strength and courage of refugees around the world.
Theme: Refugee, Diversity
- ISBN
9781534419193 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

MACCA THE ALPACA
By: matt cosgrove | Published: March 2020
Macca the alpaca's days were happy and carefree until -- drama! -- a llama. In this adorable, quirky picture book, Macca the alpaca loves splashing i... [Read More]
Macca the alpaca's days were happy and carefree until -- drama! -- a llama. In this adorable, quirky picture book, Macca the alpaca loves splashing in puddles and gives the best cuddles. But when he bumps into a big bullying llama named Harmer (who's no charmer), Macca must prove the value of smarts and kindness.
- ISBN
9781338602821 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

SORRY REALLY SORRY
By: joanna cotler | Published: April 2020
After Cow's bad mood spreads to the whole farm, Dog starts a new chain reaction by showing kindness.
Theme: Friendship, Kindergarten
- ISBN
9781984812476 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

CAN I PLAY TOO
By: samantha cotterill | Published: March 2020
"A young boy building a train track with his friend is headed for trouble until a teacher steps in and helps him learn social cues of anger and happin... [Read More]
"A young boy building a train track with his friend is headed for trouble until a teacher steps in and helps him learn social cues of anger and happiness"--
Theme: Preschool, Kindergarten, Friendship
- ISBN
9780525553465 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

MAISY GETS A PET
By: lucy cousins | Published: June 2020
What is it like to get your first pet? Little Black Cat becomes Maisy's new companion in a purr-fect First Experiences story. Penguin's cat has had ki... [Read More]
What is it like to get your first pet? Little Black Cat becomes Maisy's new companion in a purr-fect First Experiences story. Penguin's cat has had kittens, and they're all so small! Maisy wants to take one home, but which should she choose? One is playful, one is bold, one is soft -- but then a little black kitten climbs right onto Maisy's lap and starts to purr. . . . Maisy is eager to learn how to care for her new pet, from chores like changing its water and cleaning its litter to games like dangling a string or shining a light beam around on the floor for it to chase. Little fans with new pets in the offing will find themselves well prepared with the obliging Maisy leading the way.
- ISBN
9781536211597 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

PETE THE CATS GROOVY GUIDE TO KINDNESS
By: james dean | Published: April 2020
Kindness is cool! Pete the Cat shares some groovy words on kindness in this fun collection of his favorite famous quotes about sharing, lending a h... [Read More]
Kindness is cool! Pete the Cat shares some groovy words on kindness in this fun collection of his favorite famous quotes about sharing, lending a helping hand, and having compassion for others. Cool cat Pete adds his own spin on well-known classic quotes from luminaries ranging from Booker T. Washington to Henry James. Everyone's favorite blue cat reminds us that "it's cool to be kind."
- ISBN
9780062974020 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book

PETE THE CAT 5-MINUTE BEDTIME STORIES
By: james dean | Published: March 2020
Join Pete the Cat for 12 groovy, cozy stories perfect for bedtime! Each of these awesome twelve tales is the perfect length to read aloud and inclu... [Read More]
Join Pete the Cat for 12 groovy, cozy stories perfect for bedtime! Each of these awesome twelve tales is the perfect length to read aloud and includes full-color illustrations on every page. Readers will love snuggling up to these fun Pete the Cat stories, from Pete helping out the tooth fairy, camping in the woods, hosting a slumber party, and much more!
- ISBN
9780062953346 - Binding
Hardcover - Category
Picture Book