The Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable Lists are designed to encourage good science fiction literature for children. Science fiction books use (future) science and technology rather than fantasy or magic. The purpose of the Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable Lists is to identify Science Fiction books that have the most interest and appeal to three age groups: picture books for preschool and early readers, ages up to 6 years old (Golden Duck List); illustrated chapter books or short novels for grade school students, ages 7-11 (Eleanor Cameron List); YA books for teens, ages 12-18 (Hal Clement List).
We would like to congratulate Paul Gilligan whose graphic novel, Pluto Rocket: New in Town, has been selected as a 2024 Golden Duck Notable Picture Book.
Pluto Rocket: New in Town (Pluto Rocket #1) By Paul Gilligan 88 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735271906 | Tundra Books Meet Pluto Rocket, a friendly alien, and Joe Pidge, a wise-cracking pigeon, in the first book of this hilarious new early graphic novel series, for fans of Narwhal and Jelly and Pizza and Taco! Joe Pidge, not just a pigeon but also the stylish king of the neighborhood, is bobbing his way down the street one day when, all of a sudden, Pluto Rocket enters the scene. It turns out, Pluto is from another planet, and is disguising herself for her secret mission – to find out what life in the neighborhood is really like. Lucky for Pluto, Joe Pidge has seen it all before, eaten it all before, and pooped on it all before, so he takes her under his wing and the two become fast friends. But Joe is the one who actually learns a thing or two and whose mind is blown by the out-of-this-world Pluto in this hilarious graphic novel series from Paul Gilligan, creator of the syndicated comic strip Pooch Cafe!
Established in 1998 by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC), the Charlotte Zolotow Award is given annually for outstanding writing in a picture book published in the United States in the preceding year with up to five honor books and up to ten highly commended titles also selected. The award is named to honor the work of Charlotte Zolotow, a distinguished children’s book editor for 38 years, and author of more than 70 picture books.
We would like to congratulate X. Fang whose debut picture book, Dim Sum Palace, has been selected as a 2024 Highly Commended Title.
Dim Sum Palace By X. Fang 48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774881989 | Tundra Books Liddy is so excited about going to the Dim Sum Palace tomorrow with her family that she can’t sleep. So when a delicious smell wafts into her room, she hops out of bed, opens her door and steps into . . . an actual palace of dim sum! There are dumplings, baos, buns and more delicious treats than one girl can possibly eat. Liddy just has to take a bite, but she slips and falls . . . into a bowl of dumpling filling. The chefs are so busy rolling, folding and pinching dough that they don’t notice they’ve prepared a most unusual dumpling for the Empress – a Liddy dumpling! Worst of all, she looks good enough to eat . . .
Each year a committee from the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children’s books. According to the ALSC, “notable” is defined as, “worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding.” As applied to children’s books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels that reflect and encourage children’s interests in exemplary ways.
We would like to congratulate X. Fang, Cristina Quintero, and Sarah Gonzales, on their notable selections in the Younger Readers category.
Dim Sum Palace By X. Fang 48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774881989 | Tundra Books Liddy is so excited about going to the Dim Sum Palace tomorrow with her family that she can’t sleep. So when a delicious smell wafts into her room, she hops out of bed, opens her door and steps into . . . an actual palace of dim sum! There are dumplings, baos, buns and more delicious treats than one girl can possibly eat. Liddy just has to take a bite, but she slips and falls . . . into a bowl of dumpling filling. The chefs are so busy rolling, folding and pinching dough that they don’t notice they’ve prepared a most unusual dumpling for the Empress – a Liddy dumpling! Worst of all, she looks good enough to eat . . .
The Only Way to Make Bread Written by Cristina Quintero Illustrated by Sarah Gonzales 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735271760 | Tundra Books A delicious exploration of all kinds of breads, from sourdough to bannock to bao, that will tickle your taste buds and warm your heart. What’s the only way to make bread? You might use white flour in your bread, or whole wheat flour or corn flour. You might use water or milk, maybe an egg or two. You’ll use a handful of this, a dash of that, a bit of this and a splash of that. Some dough will rise, some dough will bubble. Sometimes it will be sticky, sometimes it will be shaggy. What’s the only way to make bread? Your way! This tasty celebration of all kinds of bread will tempt bread lovers big and small. No matter what kind of bread YOU like to make, this book is for you!
Loan Stars is the readers’ advisory tool that allows libraries across Canada to indicate popular upcoming titles every month. Loan Stars lists are now produced using On Order numbers from LibraryData. The forthcoming titles with the most orders become Loan Stars top picks!
We would like to congratulate Jordan Scott, Diana, Sudyka, Bess Kalb, Erin Kraan, Zetta Elliott, Cherise Harris, Dev Petty, Mike Boldt, Wendelin Van Draanen, Cornelia Li and Cale Atkinson on being selected for Loan Stars’ Canadian Top Picks list for January 2024.
Angela’s Glacier By Jordan Scott Illustrated by Diana Sudyka 32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780823450824 | Neal Porter Books Angela listened to the glacier; the glacier listened to Angela. As soon as she’s born, Angela’s father introduces her to her glacier. He carries her on his back up the icy expanse as the wind makes music of the snow and the water underneath. Over time, Angela gets big enough to walk beside him, and then, to go alone. She tells her glacier everything, and it answers. But then, life gets busy. Angela’s days fill up with school, homework, violin and soccer and friends. Until one day, Angela’s heart doesn’t sound right anymore. Luckily, Angela’s dad is there to remind her what she needs: a visit to her ancient icy friend. From the Schneider Family and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award-winning author of I Talk Like a River, Angela’s Glacier is a moving story about growing up without losing yourself, loving nature, and allowing it to love you in return. Diana Sudyka’s breathtaking artwork pulls the reader into a world of warm hugs from shining blue-green ice – and from Dad, too. An afterword from the real Angela highlights the tragic threat climate change poses to our planet’s frozen marvels.
Buffalo Fluffalo By Bess Kalb Illustrated by Erin Kraan 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593564530 | Random House Studio I’m the Buffalo Fluffalo I heave and I huffalo Leave me alone because I’ve had enuffalo. Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance. Stomping around and raising billows of dust, Buffalo Fluffalo proclaims his superiority to the other creatures – the ram, the prairie dog, and the crow – who just want to be his friend. So Buffalo Fluffalo, who has had enuffalo, heads off to grumble to himself. Suddenly, a rain shower pours down from the clouds and – what’s this? All of his fluffalo is a soggy mess! There Fluffalo stands, a drenched pip-squeak without his disguise. The other animals, who could see through Fluffalo’s bravado from the start, circle around to comfort him. As prairie dog says with a smile in his eyes, You’re great how you are, no matter your size. Readers will find Buffalo Fluffalo’s insecurity endearing and will be moved to reassure him. This humorous and delightful book encourages self-acceptance with a lighthearted touch.
The War of the Witches By Zetta Elliott Illustrated by Cherise Harris 208 Pages | Ages 8-12 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593648629 | Random House BFYR Jaxon could never have imagined the adventure that would start with an old witch called Ma and three baby dragons shipped to Brooklyn. Ever since he returned the dragons to the magical realm of Palmara, Jax has searched for a way for humans and magical creatures to live in harmony. But despite his efforts, an ancient monster has been released. The Scourge has defeated the powerful Guardian of Palmara and set its sights on the human realm. It takes just one stray spark to ignite a war. With the Scourge now free to move between realms, the witches are preparing for battle. Can Jax and his friends put the flames out before it’s too late? Or will magic disappear from the world forever?
Don’t Trust Cats: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog By Dev Petty Illustrated by Mike Boldt 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593706787 | Doubleday BFYR Chip has been described as very smart and also a dog. And because he’s a very good boy, he’s going to share his tips on how to live your best life, namely: Don’t trust cats. Not even the little, fluffy ones with big eyes. Nohow, no meow. Trust the squirrel you always chase, trust grandpa (sure, he cheats at cards but he always has treats), and trust that skunk (he seems nice. What could possibly go wrong?). Do NOT trust cats, especially not Mittens. In this fabulously funny pet story, dog AND cat lovers will enjoy seeing their own fur-friends in Chip’s earnest yet ridiculous guide to life.
Gravity Is Bringing Me Down By Wendelin Van Draanen Illustrated by Cornelia Li 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593375921 | Knopf BFYR When Leda wakes up by falling out of bed, she knows that gravity must be in a very bad mood. Sure enough, she struggles with stumbles and bumbles at home, on the bus, in the classroom, at recess and lunch . . . A lesson on gravity illuminates what’s going on. And after a visit to a science center, Leda and gravity are both feeling better. Just in time for her to tumble – happily! – into bed. With a very funny text from award-winner Wendelin Van Draanen and bright, bouncy illustrations from Cornelia Lia, Gravity is Bringing Me Down makes it hilariously clear how this science concept impacts kids’ lives every day.
Super Friends: Simon and Chester #4 By Cale Atkinson 152 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774880012 | Tundra Books Welcome to the world of Simon and Chester, ghost and boy duo extraordinaire. Chester lives with his Grandma, his cat Mr. Pickles and Simon the ghost. Simon and Chester are best friends. Their attic is the location for some of the best activities known to humankind: making up songs about passersby, acting out scenes from Simon’s exciting Dr. Darington novels and creating the incredible Treat-A-Matic snack dispenser. But Chester has also befriended a non-ghost named Amie, and she is coming over to work on their science fair project. Amie has a surprising idea for this project, and Simon and Chester’s friendship will be put to the test as a result. Will Simon behave? Will Amie come between the two friends? Will an invisible Simon make fart noises that Chester has to explain? All will be revealed . . . .
The OLA Best Bets committee is comprised of librarians and library technicians who are OLA members, work in public libraries, and are committed to children’s and young adult services and eager to evaluate and promote Canadian books. Members discuss and evaluate recent publications by Canadian authors and illustrators. The books evaluated are suitable for children and young adults from birth to nineteen years old. From these discussions, the Committee produces “Best Bets” lists, annual annotated lists of recommended titles.
We would like to congratulate Clara Kumagai and Cherie Dimaline on their Best Bets selection!
Catfish Rolling By Clara Kumagai 432 Pages | Ages 14+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882764 | Penguin Teen Canada There’s a catfish under Japan, and when it rolls, the land rises and falls. At least, that’s what Sora was told after she lost her mother to an earthquake so powerful that it cracked time itself. Sora and her father are some of the few who still live near the most powerful of these “zones” – the places where time has been irrevocably sped up, or slowed down. When high school ends, and her best friend leaves for university, Sora finds herself stuck and increasingly alone. She begins secretly conducting her own research, tracking down a time expert in Tokyo. She also feels increasingly conflicted in her quasi-romantic feelings for her best friend – and for the time expert’s assistant, a striking and confident girl named Maya, another hafu (half-Japanese, half-non) girl with whom Sora forms an instant bond. But when Sora’s father disappears, she has no choice but to return home and venture deep into the abandoned time zones to find him, and perhaps the catfish itself . . .
Funeral Songs for Dying Girls By Cherie Dimaline 280 Pages | Ages 14+ | Hardcover ISBN 9780735265639 | Tundra Books Winifred has lived in the apartment above the cemetery office with her father, who works in the crematorium all her life, close to her mother’s grave. With her sixteenth birthday only days away, Winifred has settled into a lazy summer schedule, lugging her obese Chihuahua around the grounds in a squeaky red wagon to visit the neglected gravesides and nursing a serious crush on her best friend, Jack. Her habit of wandering the graveyard at all hours has started a rumor that Winterson Cemetery might be haunted. It’s welcome news since the crematorium is on the verge of closure and her father’s job being outsourced. Now that the ghost tours have started, Winifred just might be able to save her father’s job and the only home she’s ever known, not to mention being able to stay close to where her mother is buried. All she has to do is get help from her con-artist cousin to keep up the rouse and somehow manage to stop her father from believing his wife has returned from the grave. But when Phil, an actual ghost of a teen girl who lived and died in the ravine next to the cemetery, starts showing up, Winifred begins to question everything she believes about life, love and death. Especially love.
