The Best Canadian Picture Books for Kids

March 20, 2025

Children's Books, Featured, Stuff We Love

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A Selection of Canadian Books for Young Children

Celebrate Canada! Freshen up your storybook library with a collection of picture books written and illustrated by Canadian Authors. See a few of our favourite picks below, and comment below if you have a favourite we can add to this growing list.

The links below will take you to Amamzon.ca, where we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. We encourage you to look for these books at your local bookstore!

Carson Crosses Canada

by Linda Bailey (Author), Kass Reich (Illustrator)

From the author of If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur comes a funny and sweet cross-country roadtrip adventure with a sassy septuagenarian and her quirky canine.

Feisty Annie Magruder and her dog, Carson, live in British Columbia, Canada, and they’re setting out to visit her sister, Elsie, in Newfoundland. In their little rattlebang car, packed with Carson’s favorite toy, Squeaky Chicken, and plenty of baloney sandwiches, Annie and Carson hit the road!

Available in Hardcover, and Paperback.

The Darkest Dark

by Chris Hadfield (Author), Kate Fillion (Author), Eric Fan (Illustrator), Terry Fan (Illustrator)

Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield, The Darkest Dark will encourage readers to dream the impossible. Chris loves rockets and planets and pretending he’s a brave astronaut, exploring the universe. Only one problem–at night, Chris doesn’t feel so brave. He’s afraid of the dark. But when he watches the groundbreaking moon landing on TV, he realizes that space is the darkest dark there is–and the dark is beautiful and exciting, especially when you have big dreams to keep you company.

Available in Hardcover, Paperback and Glow in the Dark edition.

ABC of Canada

by Kim Bellefontaine (Author), Per Henrik Gurth (Illustrator)

From Arctic to Zamboni, kids can follow the alphabet on a colorful tour across Canada. On their journey, they’ll visit Canadian landmarks, including Jasper National Park and Peggy’s Cove. They’ll also meet friendly characters enjoying Canadian pastimes, such as riding in the Calgary Stampede, playing hockey and watching the Northern Lights.

Available in Hardcover, Paperback and Boardbook format.

Story Boat

by Kyo Maclear (Author), Rashin Kheiriyeh (Illustrator)

When you have to leave behind almost everything you know, where can you call home? Sometimes home is simply where we are: here. An imaginative, lyrical, unforgettable picture book about the migrant experience through a child’s eyes.

Available in Hardcover.

Your Forest

by Jon Klassen (Author, Illustrator)

With a minimal tableau of familiar objects and a gentle rhythm suited for reading aloud, a forest and all its items—a cabin, some rocks, a (nice) forest ghost, a stream, a bridge—are assembled, ending with bedtime as the sun goes down. This is a forest for a young child to have whenever they want to go there. One of a trio of board books focusing on safe spaces, comfort, and imagination.

Available in Boardbook format.

Stella!: A Treasury

by Marie-Louise Gay (Author, Illustrator)

All five books bound into one delightful volume. Marie-Louise Gay published Stella, Star of the Sea more than ten years ago. It was an immediate hit, and since then she has written and illustrated four more books featuring the engaging, red-headed heroine, Stella, and her little brother, Sam — Stella, Queen of the Snow; Stella, Fairy of the Forest; Stella, Princess of the Sky and, most recently, When Stella Was Very, Very Small. With gentle humor, freshness, a sense of whimsy and exquisite watercolors, Marie-Louise Gay gives us stories about two young siblings discovering their world. c

Love You Forever

by Robert Munsch (Author), Sheila McGraw (Illustrator)

The touching story that has touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Since publication in 1986, Love You Forever has sold more than 38 million copies in paperback and the regular hardcover edition (as well as hundreds of thousands of copies in Spanish and French). We challenge you not to cry reading this book out loud!

Alligator Pie and Other Poems: A Dennis Lee Treasury

by Dennis Lee (Author), Juan Wijngaard (Author), Frank Newfeld (Illustrator), David McPhail (Illustrator)

A childhood favourite! This collection includes three classic Dennis Lee titles in one beautiful book—Alligator Pie, Jelly Belly and The Ice Cream Store—spanning three decades of his warm and whimsical rhymes.

Available in Hardcover.

Goodnight, Canada

by Andrea Beck (Author, Illustrator)

A bedtime book that opens children’s minds to the wonders of the world around them.

Award-winning Canadian author and illustrator Andrea Beck has created a unique gift for parents as they wind their little ones down for bedtime. Goodnight, Canada inspires a sense of community as a child who lives in Newfoundland lies in bed wondering about other children across the country. He quietly bids a goodnight to them all, and to Canada itself, province by province, territory by territory.

Available in Hardcover and Boardbook.

The Paper Bag Princess

by Robert Munsch (Author), Michael Martchenko (Illustrator)

A classic by Canadian author Robert Munsch, with over five million copies in print. When the fiercest dragon in the whole world smashes Princess Elizabeth’s castle, burns all her clothes, and captures her fiancé, Prince Ronald, Elizabeth takes matters into her own hands. With her wits alone and nothing but a paper bag to wear, the princess challenges the dragon to show his strength in the hopes of saving the prince. But is it worth all that trouble?

Available in Hardcover and Paperback.

Sharon, Lois and Bram's Skinnamarink

by Sharon Hampson (Author), Lois Lillienstein (Author), Bram Morrison (Author), Qin Leng (Illustrator)

National bestseller — Based on the classic folk song made famous by a beloved trio of children’s entertainers, this board book is best sung aloud! “Skinnamarink” is a timeless anthem of love and inclusion.

Available in Hardcover and Boardbook.

I Want My Hat Back

by Jon Klassen (Author, Illustrator)

The bear’s hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear’s memory and renews his search with a vengeance. Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor– and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.

Available in Hardcover and Paperback.

BANNOCK: A Native Canadian Story Of Love, Family And Tradition

by Kwarakwante Publishing (Author)

Discover Indigenous culture’s warmth, love, and traditions. This picture book takes children on a heartfelt journey and celebrates the cherished family recipe of bannock bread. Told through the eyes of a young child learning from their grandmother.

Available in Hardcover, and Paperback.

Walking Trees

by Marie-Louise Gay (Author, Illustrator)

Lily wants a tree for her birthday. Although she and her father live in a tiny dark apartment, she promises to give it water and sun and air. But after she receives her tree—whom she names George—even Lily can’t imagine how their daily walks will change the neighborhood!

Available in Hardcover.

Little You

by Richard Van Camp (Author), Julie Flett (Illustrator)

Richard Van Camp, internationally renowned storyteller and bestselling author of the hugely successful Welcome Song for Baby: A Lullaby for Newborns, has partnered with talented illustrator Julie Flett to create a tender board book for babies and toddlers that honors the child in everyone. With its delightful contemporary illustrations, Little You is perfect to be shared, read or sung to all the little people in your life—and the new little ones on the way!

Available in Boardbook.

Métis Like Me

by Tasha Hilderman (Author), Risa Hugo (Illustrator)

Whether or not you’re Métis, there’s so much to experience and learn about this amazing Indigenous culture — take a picture book journey into Métis crafts, music and cooking with friends who love to share. This rhythmic, jubilant book will encourage young readers of all backgrounds to celebrate their own heritage and learn more about Métis history, and contains back matter including an author’s note, recipe and dictionary to further inspire.

Available in Hardcover.

If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur

by Linda Bailey (Author), Colin Jack (Illustrator)

If you happen to have a dinosaur, lying around your living room, and you don’t know what to do with it … why don’t you use it as a can opener? It will make a terrific nutcracker too! There are oodles of uses for a dinosaur — from a fine umbrella to an excellent kite and a dandy pillow, not to mention a reliable burglar alarm and the perfect excuse to forget your homework. This delightfully absurd exploration of the domestic uses of dinosaurs — and the things dinos just aren’t good for at all — is guaranteed to tickle funny bones and spark imaginations. If you read carefully, you’ll learn how to make your dinosaur last a very long time.

Available in Hardcover, Paperback and Boardbook.

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# canadian books Canadian kids Canadian Parent kids books Ontario

The Best Canadian Picture Books for Kids

A Selection of Canadian Books for Young Children

Carson Crosses Canada

The Darkest Dark

ABC of Canada

Story Boat

Your Forest

Stella!: A Treasury

Love You Forever

Alligator Pie and Other Poems: A Dennis Lee Treasury

Goodnight, Canada

The Paper Bag Princess

Sharon, Lois and Bram's Skinnamarink

I Want My Hat Back

BANNOCK: A Native Canadian Story Of Love, Family And Tradition

Walking Trees

Little You

Métis Like Me

If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur

Explore More

2025 Summer Camps Guide | Toronto and Area

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