In recognition of International Children's Book Day, our amazing Program Coordinator Deb Watters has compiled a list of must-read books for children 12 and under.
While she could have picked a few hundred, she has narrowed it down to seven:
1. I am Enough written by Grace Byers illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo. This is a beautiful book that celebrates loving yourself and others and the power of kindness.
2. Where the Wild Things Are written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. This was my favourite book when I was young. The message in the book is about how your imagination can take you to wild places and also about unconditional love. The text and the illustrations to me are magical.
3. Charlotte’s Web by written by E. B. White. This is such a beautifully written classic story about friendship, love, acceptance, life and death.
4. Stolen Words written by Melanie Florence and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard. Stolen Words is a story about a girl whose Grandfather’s Cree language was taken from him and how she helps him get it back
5. Yo! Yes? Written and illustrated by Chris Raschka. Yo! Yes? has only one and two word sentence but the words combined with the illustrations tell a great story about celebrating differences and making friends.
6. Swimmy written and illustrated by Leo Lionni. The artwork in this book is so beautiful. The message of the story celebrates ingenuity, problem solving and teamwork.
7. When Stars are Scattered written by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. This is a true story illustrated as a graphic novel about two Somalian brothers who live in a refugee camp in Kenya and their out of the camp. This is a story that is full of hope.