Whimsy’s Heavy Things
Whimsy’s Heavy Things | by Julie Kraulis
Ideal for: Mental Health Awareness Week October, World Mental Health Day October 10, Bell Let's Talk Day January 22, 2025, National Child and Youth Mental Health Week May.
Biblical and Theological Themes: difficult feelings (sadness, grief, worry, anxiety), finding peace, consolation and comfort
Where Oliver Fits
Where Oliver Fits | by Cale Atkinson
Ideal for: World Kindness Day November 13, No Name Calling Week January, Pink Shirt Day February 23, French Language Day March 20, Belonging–National Day to End Bullying May 15.
Biblical and Theological Themes: belonging, welcome, integrity, identity, authenticity, being yourself. Although most of these themes sound very contemporary, as does the message about being yourself and eventually finding your people, there is potential to make connections with the identity formed through baptism, and the broader biblical idea that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by a God who knows us and loves us as we are.
Trampoline Boy
Trampoline Boy | by Nan Forler | illustrated by Marion Arbona
Ideal for:National Autism Awareness Month October, World Autism Day April 2.
Biblical and Theological Themes: God’s care for our bodies, seeing and perceiving, benefits of different perspectives, not judging others, the fruits of the Spirit
When I Get Older: The Story Behind Wavin’ Flag
When I Get Older: The Story Behind Wavin’ Flag | by K'NAAN | illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez
Ideal for: International Day of Peace Sept. 21, International Day of Music October 1, World Kindness Day November 13, Human Rights Day Dec. 10, International Migrants Day December 18, Canadian Multiculturalism Day June 27.
Biblical and Theological Themes: Home and belonging, leaving home and family, being a refugee, welcoming the stranger, war and its traumatic effects, the strengthening and healing power of music, self-control, unity, freedom, and safety
Ten Little Dumplings
Ten Little Dumplings | by Larissa Fan | illustrated by Cindy Wume
Ideal for: International Day for Education January 24, Asian Heritage Month May, Canadian Multiculturalism Day June 27.
Biblical and Theological Themes: being seen or not seen, who is included and left out, paying attention, women in patriarchal societies, family, sibling relationships, cherishing all children regardless of gender
A Sky-Blue Bench
A Sky-Blue Bench | by Bahram Rahman | illustrated by Peggy Collins
Ideal for: International Day of Peace Sept. 21, Human Rights Day Dec.10, International Day of Education Jan. 24, International Women's Day and United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace March 8, World Refugee Day June 20, Canadian Multiculturalism Day June 27.
Biblical and Theological Themes: Courage, persistence, kindness, community, healing, rebuilding, hope
Outside, You Notice
Outside, You Notice | by Erin Alladin | illustrated by Andrea Blinick
Ideal for: Take Me Outside Day October 20, Earth Month and Earth Day April 22, Canadian Environment Week June, World Environment Day June 5.
Biblical and Theological Themes: attentiveness, gratitude, mindfulness, care for creation, wonder, awe, joy, questions, curiosity, growth from small things, parables of the Kingdom, stillness, peace in nature, patience
Out Into the Big, Wide Lake
Out Into the Big, Wide Lake | by Paul Harbridge | illustrated by Josée Bisaillon
Ideal for: World Down Syndrome Day March 21,and National Down Syndrome Week
Biblical and Theological Themes: community, kindness, courage, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, loving our neighbours, forgiveness and reconciliation
No More Plastic
No More Plastic | by Alma Fullertons
Ideal for: Take Me Outside Day October 20, Earth Month and Earth Day April 22, Canadian Environment Week June, World Environment Day June 5.
Biblical and Theological Themes: creation care, human responsibility to look after God’s precious world which teems with life in many forms, the goodness of the natural world which sustains us and every other living thing, community, justice, grief, lament, holy anger
My Name is Blessing
My Name is Blessing | by Eric Walters | illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Ideal for: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty October 17, Global Accessibility Awareness Day May 19, International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 3
Biblical and Theological Themes: family, love, acceptance, the significance of names, welcome, generosity, belonging, disability, suffering, blessing and what it means to be both blessed and a blessing to others (beatitudes)
My Beautiful Birds
My Beautiful Birds | by Suzanne Del Rizzo
Ideal for: International Day of Peace Sept. 21, Human Rights Day Dec. 10, International Migrants Day December 18, International Day of Education Jan. 24, International Women's Day and United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace March 8, World Refugee Day June 20, Canadian Multiculturalism Day June 27.
Biblical and Theological Themes: war and conflict, peace, exile, homelessness, grief and lament, the experience of being a refugee, relationship with the natural world, kindness, safety, refuge, shelter, freedom, hope, peace, promise, compassion, welcome, hospital
The Library Bus
The Library Bus | by Bahram Rahman | illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
Ideal for: International Day of Peace Sept. 21, Human Rights Day Dec. 10, International Day of Education Jan. 24, International Women's Day and United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace March 8, World Refugee Day June 20, Canadian Multiculturalism Day June 27.
Biblical and Theological Themes: community, supporting others, endurance through suffering, courage, hope
If I Had a Gryphon
If I Had a Gryphon | by Vikki VanSickle | illustrated by Cale Atkinson
Ideal for: International Literacy Day September 8, Take Me Outside Day October 20, Family Literacy Day January 27, World Read Aloud Day/ Winter Walk Day February 2, World Poetry Day March 21, DEAR: Drop Everything and Read Day April 12, Education Week May.
Biblical and Theological Themes: movement from discontent to gratitude, family, love and belonging, perfection and imperfection, grace, belonging to God and God’s family
Harley the Hero
Harley the Hero | by Peggy Collins
Ideal for: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty October 17, Global Accessibility Awareness Day May 19, International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 3
Biblical and Theological Themes: community, safety (Psalm 23), one body with many parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-26), suffering and rejoicing together (1 Corinthians 12:22-26), what love looks like in practice (1 Corinthians 13), the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26)
Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes
Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes | by Wab Kinew | illustrated by Joe Morse
Ideal for: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation September 30, National Indigenous History Month June, National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21.
Biblical and Theological Themes: faith, hope, inspiration, resilience, courage, repentance, repair, celebrating with and learning from indigenous communities
The Fog
The Fog | by Kyo Maclear | illustrated by Kenard Pak
Ideal for: Take Me Outside Day October 20, Earth Month and Earth Day April 22, Canadian Environment Week June, World Environment Day June 5.
Biblical and Theological Themes: creation care, stewardship of environment, place of humanity in the natural world, humility
Fairy Science: Solid, Liquid, Gassy
Fairy Science: Solid, Liquid, Gassy | written and illustrated by Ashley Spires
Ideal for: National STEAM Day November 8, International Day of the Girl December 17, International Day of Women and Girls in Science February 11.
Biblical and Theological Themes: wonder of the natural world, joy in observing creation, patience, truth
Etty Darwin and the Four Pebble Problem
Etta Darwin and the Four Pebble Problem | written and illustrated by Lauren Soloy
Ideal for: National STEAM Day November 8, International Day of the Girl December 17, International Day of Women and Girls in Science February 11, International Darwin Day February 12, Pi Day/International Day of Mathematics March 14.
Biblical and Theological Themes: family, nature, curiosity, imagination, wonder, awe, openness to mystery
Encounter
Encounter | by Brittany Luby | illustrated by Michaela Goade
Ideal for: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation September 30, National Indigenous History Month June, National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21.
Biblical and Theological Themes: peacemaking, creation, welcoming the stranger
Count On Me
Count On Me | written and illustrated by Miguel Tanco
Ideal for: National STEAM Day November 8, International Day of the Girl October 11, 2025
Pi Day/International Day of Mathematics March 14.