Primary (ages 6-9)

Material appropriate for primary age groups

The Forgiveness Garden

A long time ago and far away–although it could be here, and it could be now–a boy threw a stone and injured a girl. For as long as anyone could remember, their families had been enemies, and their towns as well, so it was no surprise that something bad had happened. Hate had happened. Revenge had happened. And that inspired more hate and more calls for revenge. But this time, a young girl decided to try something different…Inspired by the original Garden of Forgiveness in Beirut, Lebanon, and the movement that has grown up around it, Lauren Thompson has created a timeless parable for all ages that shows readers a better way to resolve conflicts and emphasizes the importance of moving forward together.

I Is for India

With a special focus on Indian children, this book captures the stunning variety of life in a country that is also a subcontinent. Using an A-Z format, Prodeepta Das introduces young readers to social details both ancient and modern, such as the happy chaos of bustling cities, where the cinema rules, as well as the quiet traditions of rural life. I Is for India contains beautiful images of everything from Mehndi, elaborate filigrees of tattoos worn by young women at weddings and festivals, to the country’s splendid national bird, the peacock.

Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building

A collection of concrete poetry, illustrations, and photographs that shows how young children’s constructions, created as they play, are reflected in notable works of architecture from around the world. Includes biographies of the architects, quotations, and sources.

My Pop-Up World Atlas

Watch the whole world spring to life! Budding geographers will love to immerse themselves in this fun, bright, fact-packed first atlas with lots of detailed illustrations. Each continent has its own spread, with pop-ups, flaps, booklets, and sturdy pull-tabs introducing the world’s countries, inhabitants, and famous landmarks.

Birds of a Feather

This lush, oversized book about birds features a variety of interactive guessing games and special features, including more than 40 lift-the-flaps and more than 15 pop-ups, plus intriguing facts about each bird, providing readers with hours of educational entertainment. With elegant, graphic illustrations, Birds of a Feather is a feast for the eyes as well as the mind.

It’s Our Nature

Believing that animals have feelings, Orozco suggests that humans could learn how to live more harmoniously by looking at how various creatures behave. She gives 10 examples of how specific animals demonstrate tolerance, responsibility, generosity, community, communication, trust, commitment, altruism, and brotherhood. For instance, female elephants generously nurse and protect younger elephants even if the babies are not their own. Wildebeests tolerate zebras that mix in with their herds for protection from predators. Other animals represented include the howler monkey, flamingo, dolphin, armadillo, crocodile, octopus, penguin, and wolf. Each behavior is explained on a spread, accompanied by a simple illustration. Introduces children to different traits that contribute to congenial living and is appropriate for group sharing or individual browsing and emphasizes humans learning from animal behaviors.

When I Get Older: The Story Behind “Wavin’ Flag”

Winner of three Juno awards and recently named the Globe and Mail’s Artist of the Year, singer/songwriter/rapper/hip hop artist/social activist and, now, children’s book author, K’NAAN has a moving and inspiring personal story. K’NAAN (whose name means “traveler” in Somali) spent his childhood in Mogadishu surrounded by a loving family which included his aunt, one of Somalia’s most famous singers, and his poet grandfather. When K’NAAN was thirteen, he and his family fled war-torn Somalia and immigrated to Toronto. His story is inspiring, and his struggles as a new immigrant will speak to many young North Americans.

Now in his thirties, K’NAAN has had huge success as a singer. He has won many awards, and there are now twenty-two versions of his song, “Wavin’ Flag.” He lives in LA where he is at work on his third album. His children’s book is a tribute to growing up, and believing in the future, as he says: “When I get older, I will be stronger…”