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When Stars Arise

E.G. Alaraj (author) Martyna Czub (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459835672

The world grows restful, but don’t sleep yet, wait until the grassy meadow is quiet and the forest creatures are hidden away. Until the farm animals are snug in the barn and the toys are tidied in their proper spots. Until the bath warms your toes and the blanket tucks you in tightly. Only when we finish our story and the stars are in the sky is it time to sleep.

We Belong to the Drum / mistikwaskihk kitipêyimikonaw

Sandra Lamouche (author) Azby Whitecalf (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459834392

The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth. We all belong to the earth and we all belong to the drum. Nikosis grew up going to powwows with his family, happily immersed in music, dance and the sounds of the drum. But when he starts going to daycare, he doesn’t feel like he belongs. Nikosis cries every time his mother leaves him in the unfamiliar environment until, one day, she and the teachers use drums to help Nikosis find connection and comfort.

We Belong to the Drum

Sandra Lamouche (author) Azby Whitecalf (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459834361

The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth. We all belong to the earth and we all belong to the drum. Nikosis grew up going to powwows with his family, happily immersed in music, dance and the sounds of the drum. But when he starts going to daycare, he doesn’t feel like he belongs. Nikosis cries every time his mother leaves him in the unfamiliar environment until, one day, she and the teachers use drums to help Nikosis find connection and comfort.

Waking Ben Doldrums

Heather Smith (author) Byron Eggenschwiler (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459833920

Frida Bellows lives in a big house made up of four apartments. Every morning, she gets on her father’s shoulders and taps on the ceiling with a broomstick. This wakes her neighbor, a student named Ben Doldrums who knocks on the wall to wake the Mercredis, who in turn knock on the floor to wake the Reynolds. Frida likes this morning tradition. It makes her feel like she’s part of something big. Things change, however, when Ben stops getting out of bed to wake the Mercredis, which throws off the whole routine. Frida notices that Ben Doldrums is not himself and she wants to help. But how?

The Trailblazing Life of Viola Desmond

Rachel Kehoe (author) Chelsea Charles (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459833982

Years before Rosa Parks famously refused to give up a bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, Viola Desmond took a similar stand against racial segregation in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. On November 8, 1946, she was arrested for refusing to move from the "whites-only" section of a movie theater. Her heroic act inspired Black community leaders and made her a symbol of courage in the fight against inequality. This story of Viola's life is based on rare interviews with her sister Wanda Robson, who spent her life championing her sister's story and was successful in getting Viola a posthumous pardon that recognized she was innocent of any crime. From their childhood in Nova Scotia to Viola's career as a teacher in a segregated school and, later, her role as a pioneer in Black beauty culture, young readers are introduced to the girl and the woman who went on to become the face of the civil-rights movement in Canada.

The Never-Ending Sweater

Erin Welch (author) Dorothy Leung (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459834743

When Peter was little, he asked his grandmother to knit him a VERY big sweater. So, she made him a sweater with love knit into every stitch. Young Peter wore the sweater, with its drooping sleeves and oversized body, everywhere he went. Eventually, Peter outgrew his small seaside village and decided to see the world with his sweater providing comfort and a reminder of home on every adventure. After traveling for many years, he returns home to find a new family next door. They too have traveled from far away, and Peter finds a connection with the young son, who also needs a comforting reminder of home.

Too Much Trash

Joan Marie Galat (author)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459831834

Litter is not only an eyesore but a serious threat to animals and their habitats. We can all work together to keep the planet healthy and clean. Did you know that gum on the sidewalk is litter? Even a banana peel that is thrown in a ditch is litter. Trash poses a threat to animals everywhere, including pets, farm animals and wildlife. They can get injured or trapped in the litter and even eat garbage that makes them sick. But there's good news: litter is a problem everyone can help prevent. Around the world, kids and adults are finding ways to take out the trash. Find out how you can help clean up the planet for all species.

The Boy, the Cloud and the Very Tall Tale

Heather Smith (author)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459836044

Two years after the death of his mother, Ewan's father was swept away by a magical cloud. Now Ewan lives with his little sister, Flora, his Grumple and his mischievous cat, Kipper. But something about his father's disappearance has never felt right to Ewan. He is certain his father wouldn't leave willingly. When he meets Mr. So-and-So, the owner of the mysterious Notion Shop, he is inspired to take destiny into his own hands. With his grandfather’s most reliable horse, the normally timid Ewan sets off from his home in Bucket Cove on a journey that will test his belief in himself while unraveling the secrets of his father's disappearance. When he is joined by Flora and Mr. So-and-So, he comes to understand that even grown-ups sometimes struggle to process their feelings, and that showing compassion to others is the mechanism through which we can begin to show compassion to ourselves.

The Unlovable Alina Butt

Ambreen Butt-Hussain (author)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459834927

Fitting in at a new school is hard enough, but when you’re an awkward, big-nosed, nerdy Pakistani girl with a funny last name, it can seem impossible. Eleven-year-old Alina Butt has changed schools four times already since her family moved to England from Pakistan. Even after all that practice, she doesn’t seem to be getting any better at being the new kid. Mocked for her last name and her "weird" lunches, Alina has had enough! Taking a leap of faith to try and stand out for the "right" reasons, Alina auditions for the school play. Her hopes of landing the lead role in Cinderella are dashed when her new friend gets the part of Cinderella instead...and her bully is cast as Prince Charming!

Stay My Baby

Lana Button (author)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459836167

Tiny fingers, teeny toes—but baby won't stay little for long! Children grow from newborns bundled tight to toddlers taking their first steps in no time. Parents and caregivers know the heart tug of wishing they could hold their babies close forever while also feeling the joy and pride of each new milestone that accompanies children's growing independence. In sweet, rhyming verse, Stay My Baby expresses the feelings of wonder and love for a new baby, with a promise that, no matter how big they get, they will always have a special place in their family's hearts.

Pas de chevaux dans la maison!

Mireille Messier (author) Anna Bron (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459836013

Cette histoire inspirante, qui raconte la vie incroyable de l’artiste pionnière, féministe et queer Rosa Bonheur, dépeint les premières années de Rosa et son acharnement à réaliser ses rêves. Rosa Bonheur adorait dessiner des animaux. Et elle y excellait ! Mais dans la France du XIXe siècle, les filles n’avaient pas le droit d’être artistes. Mais Rosa n’allait pas laisser cela l’arrêter. Dans cette belle mise en récit des débuts de Rosa à Paris, les jeunes lecteurs découvrent l’artiste qui étudie le dessin dans la maison paternelle en s’aidant d’une ménagerie d’animaux qu’elle observe de près. Lorsqu’un jour Rosa est chassée du marché des chevaux pour avoir porté des vêtements masculins, elle doit faire preuve de créativité pour contourner les règles et poursuivre son rêve de devenir une peintre réaliste de classe mondiale.

Racing Hearts

Melinda Anne Di Lorenzo (author)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459825277

To honor the death of her best friend, teen Sienna signs up to do a triathlon and finds a connection with an unexpected training partner in this body-positive romance exploring first love, grief, perseverance and trusting in yourself. Five months ago, Sienna Shoring lost her best friend, Stacey, to suicide. Now Sienna's back at school, struggling—and failing—to find her new place in the social hierarchy. Awkward and alone, Sienna is still dealing with her grief. When a package arrives for the “Try It Triathlon,” which Stacey signed them up for as a joke, it’s like receiving a message from the grave. Sienna has no experience with running or biking. And she doesn’t even own a swimsuit. But she decides to take on the challenge in honor of her best friend, despite being a “fat girl.” And when mysterious jock Blake Romano approaches her unexpectedly and offers to train with her, she can hardly say no. He seems to understand her in a way no one else does. But Blake has a secret that might just break Sienna’s heart, even as he’s winning it.

The Secret Pocket

Peggy Janicki (author) Carrielynn Victor (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459833739

Mary was four years old when she was first taken away to the Lejac Indian Residential School. It was far away from her home and family. Always hungry and cold, there was little comfort for young Mary. Speaking Dakelh was forbidden and the nuns and priest were always watching, ready to punish. Mary and the other girls had a genius idea: drawing on the knowledge from their mothers, aunts and grandmothers who were all master sewers, the girls would sew hidden pockets in their clothes to hide food. They secretly gathered materials and sewed at nighttime, then used their pockets to hide apples, carrots and pieces of bread to share with the younger girls. Based on the author's mother's experience at residential school, The Secret Pocket is a story of survival and resilience in the face of genocide and cruelty. But it's also a celebration of quiet resistance to the injustice of residential schools and how the sewing skills passed down through generations of Indigenous women gave these girls a future, stitch by stitch.

Sally's Big Day

Andrew Larsen (author) Dawn Lo (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459834620

Sally is excited for the first day of puppy school, but it isn’t easy when there are so many new things to see (and sniff!). It's hard to focus at puppy school when there are all kinds of pups to play with, water to splash in...and so many smells! But Sally doesn't give up and keeps trying, ending the day triumphantly. Just like children, puppies have a lot to explore in and learn about the world around them. This sweet story will give confidence to young readers as they venture into the world to learn and try new things.

Otter Doesn’t Know

Andrea Fritz (author)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459836228

Indigenous artist and storyteller Andrea Fritz tells a tale of a salmon and a sea otter who learn it's ok to say "I don't know" and to ask for help. Thuqi’ the sockeye salmon knows it’s time to spawn, but she is lost in the Salish Sea and doesn't know the way to Sta'lo’, the river. When she asks Tumus the sea otter for help, he doesn’t exactly know either, and he dismisses her questions. But when Tumus becomes lost in some weeds, Thuqi’ shows him that it’s okay not to know something—you can still find a way to help a friend in need.

Owl and the Mystery of Tomorrow

Réka Király (author) Mia Spangenberg (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459837478

Owl is confused. She doesn't know what tomorrow means. When does today turn into tomorrow? Does tomorrow begin in the middle of the night, at a certain time in the morning or not until you wake up? Mouse, Hedgehog and Rabbit try to explain, but Owl still doesn't understand. The forest animals make a plan to stay awake all night to find out, but what if they fall asleep? How can you tell it’s tomorrow if it’s already today when you get there?

Open Science

Monique Polak (author) Catherine Chan (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459833593

Science is for everyone, right? Unfortunately, that's not always true. Discovery, research and innovation are often top secret, and big businesses charge high prices for that information. The field of open science is trying to change that. It's all about sharing knowledge. Teams of scientists around the world are working together to improve and speed up scientific research and share their results so that everyone benefits. Open Science: Knowledge for Everyone examines the history of scientific research and how ideas and information are shared and why. It also looks at innovations made using open science, such as treatments for diseases and vaccines to protect against viruses like COVID-19, discoveries that were only possible thanks to the sharing of information. Discover how regular people, including kids, can be citizen scientists and what we all can do to share science and make the world a better place.

Once, a Bird

Rina Singh (author) Nathalie Dion (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459831445

Once, as the winter ended, a little bird emerged to find the world had gone quiet. The streets were empty and the playgrounds still. Puzzled but determined, the bird explores the town in search of a suitable place to nest. The residents of an apartment building notice her resting in a tree outside and take comfort in her song. Watching through their windows, they look beyond their lives and pause to appreciate the wonders of nature. The bird chooses to make this community her home and builds a nest, an act of resilience and hope that inspires the humans to emerge as well, reminding them that natural rhythms continue, seasons change and life goes on. Once again. This wordless picture book is a hopeful contemplation of our interconnectedness with the natural world and the joy that nature brings us, even in unusual times.

Oops!

Julie Massy (author) Pascale Bonenfant (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459835481

What happens when you knock on an egg? Flip a plate of sloppy spaghetti? Clap your hands near a tree full of birds?...OOPS! When children might otherwise be encouraged to be careful or quiet, in Oops! they are invited to explore cause and effect in mischievous scenarios without the real-life consequences. The results are often surprising and always fun!

No Horses in the House!

Mireille Messier (author) Anna Bron (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459833531

Rosa Bonheur loved to draw animals. She was good at it too! Unfortunately, in nineteenth-century France, girls were not allowed to be artists. But Rosa didn't let that stop her. In this fictionalized account of her early life in Paris, Rosa studies art at home, bringing a menagerie of animals into the apartment to study up close. When she is kicked out of the horse market for sneaking in wearing boys clothing, Rosa must think creatively to challenge the rules in pursuit of her dream of becoming a world-class realist painter and artist.

Mountain of Fire

Julie Roberge (author) Aless MC (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459835078

Take a trip around the world (and beyond) to discover the science, myths and stories behind iconic volcanoes - Krakatoa, Kilimanjaro, Vesuvius. The destructive power of volcanoes has claimed more than 250,000 lives since the beginning of civilization. Whether as objects of worship or of terror, they have shaped our world and fed the human imagination. And they can be found just about everywhere, from ancient Pompeii to the geysers of Yellowstone to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean and the surface of Jupiter.

Mama Lou's Belly

Marie-Francine Hébert (author)Guillaume Perreault (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459833890

Mama Lou is pregnant and everyone’s guessing what’s in her belly. Who is hiding in there? The bird thinks it’s a cat because everyone keeps petting it. The cat thinks it’s a mouse because Mama Lou is craving cheese. The brother thinks it’s a boy, and a good soccer player too. And the sister thinks it’s a doll she can dress up. Everyone has their own idea. “But I’m not any of those things!” the baby says from inside Mama’s belly. “I’m me! Don’t you understand?” No one can hear it. Until…WHAAA! The baby is tired of being ignored. It’s time their voice was heard. Finally the guessing is over and the baby can show their family who they really are!

Mission to Mars

Eric Walters (author)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459836747

Houston Williams was thrilled to win a scholarship to attend a space program at NASA. What he didn’t realize was that organizers were recruiting people for a top-secret research project aimed at studying how space travel affects people of different ages. After months spent on the International Space Station conducting a variety of experiments, Houston is surprised to learn that he and his two friends Ashley and Teal have been chosen to join a highly political mission to Mars. But after tragedy strikes, the teens are forced to continue the mission on their own. This is the third book in the Teen Astronauts series, following Houston, Is There A Problem? and Boldly Go.

Lucky Me

Lawrence Schimel (author) Juan Camilo Mayorga (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459821873

Bruno's home is a bit different, but he wouldn't trade it for the world. Bruno's friend Sanjay is lucky: he doesn’t have to share his room (well, except with a pet iguana), and he can leave his toy soldiers all over the house. And Bruno’s brother, Mateo, who is visually impaired, is pretty lucky too: He has a dog named Rocco who helps him get around. Plus, Mateo can keep reading after dark by using just his fingers (while Bruno has to use a flashlight). Still, Bruno has it pretty good. He can leave his bed a total mess. He can play dinosaurs with Sanjay and his iguana. And he can listen to Mateo’s made-up adventure stories (Mateo is a great storyteller). If he had to compare, he’d say he was the luckiest of all to have such a great friend and great brother.

Like a Hurricane

Jonathan Bécotte (author) Jonathan Kaplansky (illustrator)

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 9781459835245

A young teen's secret is tearing him apart. He knows he is gay but is afraid to share this knowledge with his parents or his friends. What if they reject him? And what can he do with the feelings he has for his childhood friend when he knows his friend does not feel the same way? The turmoil continues to rise with the force of a hurricane—total destruction seems almost certain.