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 . . . .