Duck Days by
The third title in the collection that began with USBBY Outstanding International Book Slug Days. Lauren, a third-grade student who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, takes on the challenges of sharing her best friend and persevering when a classmate mocks her bicycle's training wheels. Irma is Lauren's best friend. Irma knows all the strategies Lauren uses when her Autism Spectrum Disorder makes it hard to "go with the flow." Lauren helps Irma learn English words and understand unfamiliar customs. So why does Irma suddenly want to introduce Lauren to her mountain-biking, litter-dropping neighbor Jonas? Why is Irma calling Jonas her friend? As if sharing Irma weren't bad enough, Lauren also has an alarming new problem at school. Their teacher has announced a mountain biking day when the students will learn to ride their bikes on an obstacle course. But Lauren still uses training wheels. She just can't face the teasing she will get when her classmates see them. She isn't brave like Irma. She can't go with the flow like Dad. How can she possibly face this challenge? From author Sara Leach and illustrator Rebecca Bender comes an honest and warm-hearted successor to the critically acclaimed Slug Days and Penguin Days. With straightforward text and frequent black-and-white illustrations, Duck Days is an accessible chapter book for any young reader with mountains of their own to climb.
Hockey Night in Kenya by
★ "This simple story of discovery, sport, and friendship is filled with likable characters and innocently joyful moments...Delightful."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review Kenyan orphans, Kitoo and Nigosi, spend their days studying, playing soccer, helping their elders with chores around the orphanage and reading from the limited selection of books in their library. When the librarian gives Kitoo a copy of Sports Around the World he becomes fascinated by an image of the Canadian national men's ice hockey team. Then one day the fates align and Kitoo finds a pair of beat up old roller blades, he teaches himself to skate and dreams of one day playing hockey like the men in his book. But you can't play ice hockey in Kenya, can you?
How I Survived by
After his snowmobile breaks down halfway across the sea ice on a trip back from a fishing camp, Serapio Ittusardjuat recounts the traditional skills and knowledge he leaned on to stay alive.This harrowing first-person account of four nights spent on the open sea ice--with few supplies and no water--shows young readers the determination and strength necessary to survive in the harsh Arctic climate, even when the worst occurs.
Mellybean and the Giant Monster by
Melly loves to play games. All her feline friends want to do, though, is take a nap. So when she doesn't leave them alone, the cats trick her into burying a shoe in the backyard. But the small prank turns into a big problem when Melly falls down the hole . . . and is magically transports her to another world! Melly lands smack-dab in the middle of a scuffle between a group of knights and a huge monster. But Melly soon befriends the grumpy giant, learning he isn't as scary as he seems. He's being hunted by a greedy king. One who has also been stealing from his people and locking them up in the dungeons. So although Melly is desperate to find a way back home to Mama and Papa (her human owners), she makes it her mission to help her new friend and the kingdom. But how could someone so tiny defeat such a powerful king? It may just take a game that only Melly can win.
Race with Me! by
Lace up your shoes and get ready for race day with Canada's 2019 Athlete of the Year, Andre De Grasse! Find out what it was like for him as an underdog, and how he motivates himself to face every challenge, in this inspiring celebration of sport. Filled with full-colour photos and illustrations, this book covers themes of reflection, mindfulness and gratitude sure to motivate all kinds of readers.
Raymond the Buffalo by
Raymond is a brave, strong and hairy buffalo. Gilbert is a quiet, growing and not-at-all hairy boy. Raymond is the hero of Gilbert's favorite book, and Gilbert brings his favorite book everywhere. When an unfortunate incident separates the two, Raymond finds himself in a very unusual situation--outsideof his book and loose in the local library! There's nothing for Raymond to do but wait for Gilbert to come find him. But as the days turn into months and months into years, Raymond has to be brave and make a new home in the library shelves and a new friend in the librarian, Nicole. This adorably illustrated picture book celebrates the love we have for books and the strength of friendship.
Snooze-O-Rama by
Discover the strange - and sometimes familiar - ways animals settle down for bed While you brush your teeth and turn out the light, animals all over the world are getting ready for bed in their own unique ways. Otters snuggle under seaweed blankets, plump walruses use their throat pouches as pillows, and just like putting on pajamas, parrotfish cover themselves with a coat of slime before bed. Drawing on scientific research, this nonfiction book for young readers playfully compares the ways humans and animals prepare for a good night's sleep. On one page, a child dozes during a car ride or cuddles up to their parents in bed. Flip the page, and readers will delight in discovering how other creatures catch some z's. Vibrant collage illustrations bring color and humor to the fascinating facts about animals both familiar and unusual. With lively descriptions of each animal's bedtime routine, Snooze-O-Ramais a playful introduction to STEM--and an invitation to sleep!
That's No Dino! by
Everyone knows what a dinosaur is, right? Well, maybe not. Roaming the earth alongside dinosaurs, there were other less well-known animal species - but they were not dinosaurs. So, what is it that sets the dinosaurs apart? Here, readers are introduced to ten prehistoric animals that look like dinosaurs, but they're missing at least one key characteristic that all true dinosaurs have. One by one, each of those 'missing' characteristics is added to a growing list, so that, by the end of the book, readers will know what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur!
Walking for Water by
Victor is very close to his twin sister, Linesi. But now that they have turned eight years old, she no longer goes to school with him. Instead, Linesi, like the other older girls in their community, walks to the river to get water five times a day, to give their mother more time for farming. Victor knows this is the way it has always been. But he has begun learning about equality at school, and his teacher has asked the class to consider whether boys and girls are treated equally. Though he never thought about it before, Victor realises they're not. And it's not fair to his sister. So Victor comes up with a plan to help.
Wednesday Wilson Gets down to Business by
The most important thing to know about Wednesday Wilson is that she's an entrepreneur. She hasn't started any businesses yet, but she's pretty sure today is the day. She and her best friend, Charlie (Wednesday's future Vice President of Operations), with some help from her little brother, Mister, have made a list of potential businesses. But before they get to move forward on one, there's an unfortunate incident in class with the Emmas (whose last initials happen to spell M.E.A.N.) It figures that Wednesday's archnemeses would be the ones to mess up her plans! But maybe this is just the opportunity Wednesday and her friends needed to come up with a brilliant business idea that will save the day and make them millionaires. Or... not?
Mellybean and the Giant Monster by
"All hail Mellybean! A fun action-packed adventure from start to finish." --James Burks, author of the Bird and Squirrel series The Secret Life of Pets meets The Wizard of Oz in this debut graphic novel about a spunky pup who gets trapped in a world filled with magic, adventure, and one giant, grumpy monster. "Mike White hits a heartwarming hat trick with this cute, funny, and action-packed adventure. Mellybean will bounce off the page and into your heart." -Mo O'Hara, New York Times bestselling author of the My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish series and Agent Moose The Secret Life of Pets meets The Wizard of Oz in this debut graphic novel about a spunky pup who gets trapped in a world filled with magic, adventure, and one giant, grumpy monster. Melly loves to play games. All her feline friends want to do, though, is take a nap. So when she doesn't leave them alone, the cats trick her into burying a shoe in the backyard. But the small prank turns into a big problem when Melly falls down the hole . . . and is magically transports her to another world! Melly lands smack-dab in the middle of a scuffle between a group of knights and a huge monster. But Melly soon befriends the grumpy giant, learning he isn't as scary as he seems. He's being hunted by a greedy king. One who has also been stealing from his people and locking them up in the dungeons. So although Melly is desperate to find a way back home to Mama and Papa (her human owners), she makes it her mission to help her new friend and the kingdom. But how could someone so tiny defeat such a powerful king? It may just take a game that only Melly can win.