Age Range: Ages 5-9 (Grade 1-Grade 4)

Summary & Themes: As bedtime approaches, three young girls eagerly await the return of their father who tells them stories of a faraway homeland — Palestine. Through their father’s memories, the Old City of Jerusalem comes to life. These daughters of the diaspora feel love for a place they have never been, a home they
cannot visit. But, as their father’s story comes to an end, they know that through his memories, they will always return.

Age Range: Ages 8-12 (Grade 3-Grade 7)

Summary & Themes: Nine-year-old Maria Singh longs to play softball in the first-ever girls’ team forming in Yuba City, California. It’s the spring of 1945, and World War II is dragging on. Miss Newman, Maria’s teacher, is inspired by Babe Ruth and the All-American Girls’ League to start a girls’ softball team at their school.
Meanwhile, Maria’s parents - Papi from India and Mami from Mexico - can no longer protect their children from prejudice and from the discriminatory laws of the land. When the family is on the brink of losing their farm, Maria must decide if she has what it takes to step up and find her voice in an unfair world.

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Age Range: Ages 9+ (Grade 4+)

Summary & Themes: Eleven year-old Tilly has lived above her grandparents’ bookshop ever since her mother disappeared shortly after she was born. Like the rest of her family, Tilly loves nothing more than to escape into the pages of her favourite stories.
One day Tilly realizes that classic children’s characters are appearing in the shop through the magic of ‘book wandering’ a crossing over from the page into real life. With the help of Anne of Green Gables and Alice in Wonderland. Tilly is determined to solve the mystery of what happened to her mother all those years ago, so she bravely steps into the unknown, unsure of what adventure lies ahead and what dangers she may face.

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Age Range: Ages 9-12 (Grade 4-Grade 7)

Summary & Themes: Konrad’s dad always used to say, “There is a character in a book somewhere that matches you almost entirely. It’s just a matter of finding them.” Konrad never expected the ‘finding’ to involve stepping right into a story, and he never expected his dad not to be there with him.
After his dad’s death, Konrad stops speaking. Not a word at home or school as the year rolls by. But that begins to change when he meets Maya on the beach he loved to explore with Dad. She doesn’t mind his silence. It gives her a chance to be heard, because at home no one seems to notice her. When the pair go on a last visit to Konrad’s family bookshop before it’s sold, they soon get lost in the pages of Konrad’s favourite book of folk tales. Whisked back in time to quest with a dragon, they must find themselves and their voices, as well as a happy end to the story in the book and in real life.

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Age Range: Ages 4-8 (Kindergarten-Grade 3)

Summary & Themes: Mom never had long hair—she was told it was too wild. Grandma couldn’t have long hair—hers was taken from her. But one young girl can’t wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the Earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her.

An empowering and healing celebration of hair and its significance across Indigenous cultures.

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Age Range: Ages 4-8 (Kindergarten-Grade 3)

Summary & Themes: US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo’s iconic poem “Remember”  illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade, invites young readers to pause and reflect on the wonder of the world around them, and to remember the importance of their place in it.
This is a book that encourages young readers to reflect on family, nature, and their heritage. Joy Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke Nation, urges readers to pay close attention to who they are, the world they were born into, and how all inhabitants on earth are connected. Michaela Goade, drawing from her Tlingit culture, has created vivid illustrations that make the words come alive in an engaging and accessible way.

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Age Range: Ages 5-9 (Grade 1-Grade 4)

Summary & Themes: Have you ever wondered why Rabbit has such long ears?
Or why Raccoon is wearing a mask?
In this collection of funny and unique short stories, young Skye enlightens us in a number of Indigenous teachings, passed down to her from her Ojibway Grandfather. Through her natural gift of storytelling, Skye encourages other children to embrace the art and become storytellers, too!

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Age Range: Ages 4-8 (Kindergarten-Grade 3)

Summary & Themes: Indigenous dancer Ria Thundercloud tells the true story of her path to dance and how it helped her take pride in her Native American heritage. At four years old, Ria Thundercloud was brought into the powwow circle, ready to dance in the special jingle dress her mother made for her. As she grew up, Ria learned more styles--tap, jazz, ballet--but still loved the expressiveness of Indigenous dance. And despite feeling different as one of the only Native American kids in her school, she always knew she could turn to dance to cheer herself up.
Follow along as Ria shares her dance journey--from dreaming of her future to performing as a professional--accompanied by striking illustrations that depict it while bringing her graceful movements to life.

Age Range: Ages 4-8 (Kindergarten-Grade 3)

Summary & Themes: Names are more than just names. Names reveal generational ties and histories, weaving an intricate tale of the past. Names—and correctly saying them—are important. Names carry hopes, dreams, traditions, personality, ancestry, and legacy. This book presents 6 children who each introduce themselves by name, and what their names mean to them. These captivating kids of Chinese, Tongan, Persian, Navajo, Mexican, and Ghanaian descent also honor their ancestors and cultural histories.
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Includes a pronunciation guide!

Age Range: Ages 4-8 (Kindergarten-Grade 3)

Summary & Themes: It’s picture day and Faizah can’t wait to wear her special red dress with matching hair ribbons, passed down from her mother and sister. Faizah’s teacher starts the day by asking her students to envision the kind of world they want, inspiring Faizah and her friends to spend the day helping one another in ways large and small. But when it’s time for sibling pictures, Faizah realizes that she and her older sister, Asiya, don’t match like her classmates do with their siblings. With help from her classmates inspired by Asiya’s hijab, Faizah finds that acts of kindness can come back to you in unexpected ways.

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