In Odd Couples, Maria Birmingham uncovers surprising animal connections that spark curiosity and empathy. A 2025 Silver Birch Express nominee, this fun nonfiction book helps young readers see the natural world—and themselves—in a whole new way.
In The Blue Bowl, author-illustrator Flo Leung serves up a touching story about food, family, and belonging. This 2025 Blue Spruce Award nominee helps young readers explore identity through the lens of a multicultural kitchen. Don’t miss our exclusive Hooked on Books interview.
Did you know goats, birds, and even fireflies can be surprisingly smart? In Think Like a Goat, author Lisa Deresti Betik takes young readers on a fascinating journey into the science of animal intelligence. Recently nominated for the 2025 Yellow Cedar Award, this engaging book is perfect for sparking curiosity and critical thinking in kids from grades 4–8.
Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work is more than a story—it’s a STEM adventure starring two clever mice on a cupcake mission! Featuring simple machines, teamwork, and a sprinkle of humour, this Forest of Reading® nominee is the perfect introduction to science, math, and engineering. Don’t miss our exclusive interview with author and illustrator Bambi Edlund.
In our latest Hooked on Books feature, we spotlight Asha and the Toymaker by Sakshi Mangal—a 2025 Blue Spruce Award nominee that celebrates the magic of creativity in childhood learning. Set in the colourful streets of Jodhpur, this visually stunning story inspires readers to explore the harmony between academic success and artistic expression.
From May 13–15, 2025, the Forest of Reading Festival lit up Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre with thousands of students, educators, and families celebrating Canadian books. Hosted by the Ontario Library Association, the event featured author meet-and-greets, free books, and student-voted awards. In this blog, Teachers on Call shares festival highlights, interviews, and the full list of 2025 winners.
Join us as we celebrate the 2025 Blue Spruce Award winner Lost Stick by Anoosha Syed in this special edition of Hooked on Books. Discover how this heartwarming story captures the imagination of young readers, and explore our exclusive interview with the author-illustrator about the inspiration, themes, and emotional journey behind this beloved picture book.
Still My Tessa isn’t just a picture book—it’s a reflection of real family experiences and the evolving understanding of identity and acceptance through a child’s eyes. In this exclusive Teachers on Call interview, Canadian author and educator Sylv Chiang opens up about the personal inspiration behind her Forest of Reading–nominated picture book, her journey from middle-grade fiction to picture books, and how this true story can foster empathy and inclusive dialogue in classrooms.
In this exclusive interview, co-author and educator Sandra McTavish shares the story behind "The Cricket War", a gripping novel based on Thọ Phạm’s real-life journey as a Vietnamese refugee. Nominated for the 2025 Red Maple Award, this powerful read is helping students connect with global history, explore the refugee experience, and build empathy in classrooms across Canada.
"Today I Am: 10 Stories of Belonging," edited by Jael Richardson, is a compelling middle-grade anthology that brings together ten acclaimed Canadian authors to explore the complexities of identity and belonging. Through a series of short stories, each offering a unique perspective, the collection addresses themes of home, community, and self-discovery. Nominated for the 2025 Red Maple Award, this book serves as an invaluable resource for educators and a mirror for young readers seeking to se...
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