Benny and Penny in Just Pretend by Geoffrey Hayes

From chapters.ca:
How can Benny pretend to be a brave pirate when his pesky little sister, Penny, wants to tag along and is always asking for a hug? He tries to lose her, but when he does, he starts to feel a little lost himself. Then, Penny proves her bravery and saves Benny from a bug. They hug as Benny explains he was only pretending she bugged him. Best-selling children's book author Geoffrey Hayes brings unforgettable characters to life with rare warmth and humor.

The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His First Case: The Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock

From chapters.ca:
Sherlock Holmes, just thirteen, is a misfit. His highborn mother is the daughter of an aristocratic family, his father a poor Jew. Their marriage flouts tradition and makes them social pariahs in the London of the 1860s; and their son, Sherlock, bears the burden of their rebellion. Friendless, bullied at school, he belongs nowhere and has only his wits to help him make his way. But what wits they are! His keen powers of observation are already apparent, though he is still a boy. He loves to amuse himself by constructing histories from the smallest detail for everyone he meets. Partly for fun, he focuses his attention on a sensational murder to see if he can solve it. But his game turns deadly serious when he finds himself the accused — and in London, they hang boys of thirteen.

How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham

From chapters.ca:
In a city full of hurried people, only young Will notices the bird lying hurt on the ground. With the help of his sympathetic mother, he gently wraps the injured bird and takes it home. In classic Bob Graham style, the beauty is in the details: the careful ministrations with an eyedropper, the bedroom filled with animal memorabilia, the saving of the single feather as a good- luck charm for the bird's return to the sky. Wistful and uplifting, here is a tale of possibility — and of the souls who never doubt its power.

The Snow Day by Komako Sakai

From chapters.ca:
A young bunny wakes up to wonderful news: a snow day! School is cancelled, and the morning and afternoon that follow are full of the games and excitement of snow. But the weather brings bad news as well, as his father is stranded in a faraway city. When will he be able to come home? Whatever the weather, whatever the season, you can open this book to experience the fun and the wonder of a snow day.

You are Weird: Your Body's Peculiar Parts and Funny Functions by Diane Swanson, illustrated by Kathy Boake

From chapters.ca:
Your body sports more hair than a gorilla. About 600 different species of bacteria are living in your mouth. Your head is full of holes. Back when you were a two- month- old embryo, you had a tail. Face it - you are weird! All these wonderfully weird body features make us human. They also show that we're part of an animal kingdom whose members share a lot more than the same planet. This book tackles those weird questions that everyone's curious about but nobody seems able to answer. What does your appendix do? What exactly are goose bumps and why do we get them? Why can some people wiggle their ears? You Are Weird answers these questions plus many more, backing up answers with the latest scientific theories. Take a guided tour around our oddball organs and freaky body functions that make us who we are - wacky, wonderful and weird, weird, weird.

Duck and Cover by Jackie Urbanovic

From chapters.ca:
When Harold, a large green alligator with a big mouth and an even bigger appetite, shows up at Irene's door seeking shelter, everyone hides. Except Max. Max persuades the other critters that this particular runaway needs their help. So while everyone keeps busy seeing that Harold remains well fed, Max cooks up a clever plan. But is a room filled with fake alligators enough to keep the zoo detective away?

My Two Grannies by Floella Benjamin, illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain

From chapters.ca:
Alvina has two grannies: Grannie Vero from Trinidad and Grannie Rose from England. When Alvina's parents go on vacation, both grannies arrive to look after Alvina. But the two grannies have two "very" different ideas about what to eat, what to play, even what stories to tell. The grannies get angrier and angrier with each other, but Alvina devises a plan so that each granny can have her own way - or so she hopes! This sweet, funny story about tolerance and understanding reminds children that no matter how great the differences may seem, there's always room for common ground.

Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by S. D. Schindler

Skeleton has the hiccups and nothing seems to work to make them go away. Can ghost help?

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey by James Rumford

From chapters.ca:
Eighty years before Columbus, China sent ships to explore the world. The Chinese discovered many marvellous things, but one discovery stood out above the others: the chee- lin. This chee- lin was just a giraffe, but to the Chinese it was an omen of good fortune so rare that it had appeared only once before at the birth of Confucius. In a storybook in which each page evokes the richness of faraway places and long- ago days, James Rumford traces the chee- lins journey from Africa to Bengal to China, weaving a tale not just of a giraffe but of the people he meets along the way. Chee-lin is a story for all time: of captivity and struggle, friendship and respect.

Ape by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Vicky White

From chapters.ca:
With compelling illustrations and a conservationist slant, this look at four rare great apes - and one very familiar one - is a book to go ape over. Swing with a hairy orangutan and her baby as they lunge for a smelly, spiky durian fruit. Roam and play with a gang of chimps, then poke out some tasty termites with a blade of grass. Chatter and feast on figs with a bonobo, or chomp on bamboo with a gorilla as he readies for sleep. What could be better than spending time with these rare and wonderful creatures - after all, the fifth great ape on this planet is you!

Fly, Little Bird by Tina Burke

From chapters.ca:
Sometimes you can say a lot without saying anything at all. In this utterly charming wordless picture book, a little girl and her dog find a bird that has fallen out of its nest and cannot fly. They take the bird home and a wonderful friendship blossoms. Then one day, the little bird discovers its wings and flies out the window. The girl and her dog run back to the forest only to find that the little bird has joined a colourful flock of parrots. They return home, happy in the knowledge that their friend is where he belongs.

Augustine by Melanie Watt

From chapters.ca:
Moving all the way from the South Pole to the North Pole isn't easy for the young penguin Augustine. Uprooted from her home, she misses her friends, her grandma and grandpa and her old bedroom. There are all kinds of unfamiliar faces at the North Pole, and everything looks strange and different. When it's time to go to her new school, Augustine gets cold feet. But with the help of a few coloured pencils and some inspiration from Picasso, this shy, artistic young penguin discovers a way to break the ice with her classmates and feel at home on the other end of the world.

ABC Dentist: Healthy Teeth from A to Z by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Liz Murphy

From chapters.ca:
A trip to the dentist's office is easy once you know the ABCs of it. In this book kids will learn important words like "appointment" "cavity" "plaque" and "X-ray." Informative text and lively collage illustrations make this the perfect book to calm any child's fears about the dentist.

The 39 Clues Book Two: One False Note by Gordon Korman

From chapters.ca:
Amy and Dan Cahill were spotted on a train, hot on the trail of one of 39 Clues hidden around the world. But wait! Police report a break- in at an elite hotel, and the suspects also sound suspiciously like Amy and Dan.

Crazy Hair Day by Barney Saltzberg

From chapters.ca:
Stanley Birdbaum couldn’t be more excited. He has rolled and wrapped and dyed his hair. He has dipped it and sprayed it and made it, well, perfect. He is ready to celebrate Crazy Hair Day at school. But when Stanley saunters up to the classroom, he learns, to his horror, that Crazy Hair Day is...next week. To make matters worse, today is School Picture Day, and everyone is expected to line up for the class photo! What’s Stanley to do?

Agent A to Agent Z by Andy Rash

From chapters.ca:
Agent A is on Assignment to find the spy not in alignment. Whose actions don't quite match his name? Want to join A in the game? It might look easy, but it's not. Here's one alphabetic lot: "Agent B correctly chooses Blue, and so the Bomb defuses." "Agent C is Crawling up the window using suction Cups." All the way from A to Z, not one dud rhyme will you see. And it's all drawn with style and flash by the amazing Agent Rash. Enjoy the mission! Best of luck. And now this page will self-destruct.

The Composer is Dead by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Carson Ellis, music by Nathaniel Stookey

From chapters.ca:
The Composer is dead! In fact, he’s decomposing. The death is suspicious and the Inspector is certain that the culprit lurks among the orchestra. Could it be the French Horns? No, they were out with the Trombones and the percussion instruments, dancing until dawn. The Harp, the Tuba, the reed instruments — every instrument has an alibi. Who murdered the Composer?

The 39 Clues Book Three: The Sword Thief by Peter Lerangis

From chapters.ca:
Amy and Dan Cahill have been located once again, this time in the company of the notoriously unreliable Alistair Oh. Could they have been foolish enough to make an alliance? Spies report that Amy and Dan seem to be tracking the life of one of the most powerful fighters the world has ever known. If this fearsome warrior was a Cahill, his secrets are sure to be well- guarded...and the price to uncover them just might be lethal.

And What Comes After a Thousand? by Anette Bley

From chapters.ca:
This quiet, gentle, heart- warming book is meant to be shared. A book first about love and friendship, and then about loss. When Otto is buried, lots of people come. Lisa has never seen some of them before. Everyone talks in hushed voices, and they all look terribly serious. "Don't whisper like that!" Lisa shouts at them. "Otto doesn't like whispering!" But the strangers just look at her. "No one understands," Lisa says quietly. "Why did Otto leave me?"

Originally in German.

My Love for You by Susan L. Roth

From chapters.ca:
In this adorable book, two mice walk together and discover their love is bigger than one bear, taller than two giraffes, larger than three blue whales. As they count from one to ten, the mice discover that their love is greater than anything they can imagine.

Cat Goes Fiddle-i-Fee by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Emily Bolan

From chapters.ca:
With a moo and a quack and a chimmy chimmy chuck, and a cat that goes fiddle-i-fee, this lively board book about a gaggle of noisy barnyard animals brings new life to a zany, delightful, and well- known song. Artist Emily Bolam's appealing pictures, all painted in dazzling colors, simply pop with energy and good humor.

Robin Hood retold by Aaron Shepard and Anne L. Watson, illustrated by Jennifer Tanner

A graphic novel version of the classic story of everyone's favourite robber.

Yoon and the Jade Bracelet by Helen Recorvits, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska

From chapters.ca:
It is Yoon's birthday and all she wants is a jump rope so she can play with the other girls in the school yard. Instead, Yoon's mother gives her a Korean storybook about a silly girl who is tricked by a tiger. Yoon also receives a jade bracelet that once belonged to her grandmother. The next day at school, a girl offers to teach Yoon how to jump rope, but for a price: she wants to borrow the jade bracelet. When Yoon tries to get her bracelet back, the girl swears it belongs to her. Yoon must use the lessons learned in her storybook and her "Shining Wisdom" to retrieve the precious keepsake.

The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas by Anne Muecke, illustrated by Nathan Hale

From chapters.ca:
The dinosaur fossils in the museum come to life (and sing dance and eat gingerbread) in this rollicking twist on the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. And with the enclosed CD children of all ages can enjoy dinosaur-themed Christmas party music and hear the story read aloud by the Today Show's Al Roker!

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones

From chapters.ca:
All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. But Jeremy’s grandma tells him they don’t have room for "want," just "need," and what Jeremy needs are new boots for winter. When Jeremy’s shoes fall apart at school, and the guidance counselor gives him a hand- me- down pair, the boy is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift- shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy comes to realize that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.

Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac

From chapters.ca:
Viewed through the eyes of a 16- year- old Navajo youth, Code Talker is a fascinating slice of World War II history by a much- respected and acclaimed author. Bruchac brings to life the stories of some of the unsung heroes of World War II - the young Navajo men who were a crucial part of the American effort in sending and receiving messages that used their native language.

Black Beauty retold by L. L. Owens, illustrated by Jennifer Tanner

A graphic novel version of Black Beauty.

Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell

From chapters.ca:
An exciting new character- based mini series for young readers. Introducing Miss Ottoline Brown, an exceptionally inquisitive Mistress of Disguise, and her partner in crime, Mr Munroe. No puzzle is ever too tricky for the two of them to solve ... Ottoline lives in a stylish apartment in Big City with a small hairy creature called Mr Munroe. Together they look after the Brown family's eclectic collections - and dabble in a spot of detective work. So they are the first to the scene of the crime when a string of high society dog- nappings and jewel thefts hits Big City. Ottoline (who luckily has a diploma from the Who-R-U Academy of Disguise) and Mr. Munroe go undercover - and expose an ingenious scam masterminded by furry feline crook, the Yellow Cat.

Treasure Island retold by Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin, illustrated by Greg Rebis

A graphic novel of arguably the best pirate book ever, Treasure Island.

The Delicious Adventure Series Book 1: Enchanted Thyme by Ariane Smith

"The two children of a celebrity chef are transported to a fairytale land where the Queen is under a terrible spell; the more she eats, the hungrier she gets!"

A great new fantasy book that includes a child approved recipe in every chapter!

Something for School by Hyun Young Lee

From chapters.ca:
On the first day of kindergarten, a teacher asks the boys and girls to line up, and Yoon lines up with the other girls. But when some children mistake Yoon for a boy because of her short hair, Yoon bursts into tears. Yoon eventually learns that her friends like her exactly the way she is.

Originally in Korean.

Paul Needs Specs by Bernard Cohen, illustrated by Geoff Kelly

From chapters.ca:
This colorful, funny and empathetic story will capture childrens imaginations and make them (and their older siblings) laugh out loud. And, dont forget the counting game! Find Twenty- Two Frogs in this Book.

The Wild Swans retold by Ken Setterington, illustrated by Nelly and Ernst Hofer

From chapters.ca:
In the grand tradition of fairy tales, a king becomes lost in an enchanted forest. In order to save himself, he strikes a dreadful bargain with an elderly witch: he will marry her daughter if only she will show him the way home. The king fears that the daughter too is a witch, so he hides his eleven sons and his only daughter from the woman he has pledged to marry. After his marriage, his new queen discovers the children and casts a spell, turning the princes into swans. But she doesn’t know there is a twelfth child, a princess. It is up to the princess to find her brothers and break the spell that binds them.

Quid Pro Quo by Vicki Grant

From chapters.ca:
Quid Pro Quo is a high- stakes, fast- moving legal thriller about real people, and funny people at that. Cyril MacIntyre's mother is a twenty- eight- year- old ex-street kid who drags her son to all her law school classes, then proceeds to get herself kidnapped. That aside, Cyril's life isn't too different from that of other thirteen- year- olds. He has all the usual adolescent issues to deal with: parent problems, self- esteem problems, skin, hair and girl problems. He just has legal problems too. And he's got to solve them if he wants to save his mother's life.

Paula Deen's My First Cook Book by Paula Deen

From chapters.ca:
What better way to celebrate childhood than with pancakes around the kitchen table? Or how about a quick snack of ants on a log? Paula even shares her tricks for whipping up the perfect breakfast in bed for Mom on Mother's Day or a fancy dinner for Dad on Father's Day. Paula Deen's My First Cookbook is like a big hug from the queen of Southern hospitality and charm herself. So get in the kitchen with your favourite little ones today and start making those memories!

Nicholas by Rene Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempe

From chapters.ca:
Nicholas is the first of five books that bring to life the day to day adventures of a young school boy - amusing, endearing and always in trouble. An only child, Nicholas, appears older at school than he does as home and his touchingly naive reaction to situations, cut through the preconceptions of adults and result in a formidable sequence of escapades. This first book in the series contains a collection of nineteen individual stories where, in spite of trying to be good, Nicholas and his friends always seem to end up in some kind of mischief. Whether in the school room, at home, or in the playground, their exuberance often takes over and the results are calamitous - at least for their teachers and parents.

Originally in French.

Penguins by Liz Pichon

From chapters.ca:
It's an ordinary day at the zoo. The penguins swim, eat fish, play penguin games, sleep standing up, look at people, and then look at more people. Everything is the way it should be until a little girl drops a camera into the penguin area.

Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City by Janet Schulman, illustrated by Meilo So

From chapters.ca:
The birdwatchers of Central Park were buzzing – a young red - tailed hawk had been spotted, would he stay? The bird they dubbed Pale Male not only stayed, he became one of New York City’s most famous residents. Pale Male and his mate built their nest near the top of one of Fifth Avenue’s swankiest apartment buildings. Nine years and 23 chicks later, Pale Male’s fame had grown so large that a CBS newsman named him Father of the Year! But Pale Male was less beloved by the residents of the building, and in 2004 the owners suddenly removed the nest – setting off an international outcry on behalf of the birds.

The Baby in the Hat by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Andre Amstutz|

From chapters.ca:
When you've caught a baby in a hat, what else is there to do but to sail all over the world and return, with treasure in your trunk, to fall in love? Once again, the inimitable Allan Ahlberg offers a tale full of energy and fun. Paired with André Amstutz's charming illustrations, this is a story sure to be read over and over again.

Apollo by Caroline Gregoire

From chapters.ca:
The l-o-n-g, sausage- shaped pup named Apollo is no ordinary dachshund. He is the Super Dog who can perform tricks. His comical appearance adds up to some amusing and memorable lessons in math concepts for preschoolers.

Originally in French.

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan MacDonald

From chapters.ca:
Every morning, Judy Moody measures Stink, and it's always the same: three feet, eight inches tall. Then, one day, the ruler reads - can it be? - three feet, seven and three quarters inches! Is Stink shrinking? In Stink's first solo adventure, his style comes through loud and strong - enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the book. These very funny, homespun sagas reflect the familiar voice of a kid who pictures himself with super powers to deal with the travails of everyday life - including the occasional teasing of a bossy big sister!

Babies Don't Eat Pizza by Dianne Danzig, illustrated by Debbie Tilley

Expecting a new baby and trying to explain what's happening to your older child? Try this book.

Best Friends by K. T. Hao, illustrated by Giuliano Ferri

From chapters.ca:
Ben Bear is excited to get a new puppy. He names him Luke and asks his friend Chris Croc to help him build a dog house. Working together, the two saw, hammer, paint, and decorate, and in no time the dog house is built. But that night, after his friend goes home, Ben Bear can't sleep. He tosses and turns, tries counting sheep, and listens to the tick- tock of the clock. As Ben thinks back over the events of the day he suddenly remembers the very important thing he forgot to do!

Shin-chi's Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell, illustrated by Kim LaFave

From chapters.ca:
When they arrive at school, Shi- shi- etko reminds Shin- chi, her six- year- old brother, that they can only use their English names and that they can't speak to each other. For Shin- chi, life becomes an endless cycle of church mass, school, and work, punctuated by skimpy meals. He finds solace at the river, clutching a tiny cedar canoe, a gift from his father, and dreaming of the day when the salmon return to the river - a sign that it's almost time to return home. This poignant story about a devastating chapter in First Nations history is told at a child's level of understanding.

Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go by Dale E. Basye

From chapters.ca:
After Milton and Marlo Fauster die in a marshmallow bear explosion, they are sent straight to Heck, an otherworldly reform school. Milton can understand why his kleptomaniac sister is here, but Milton is - or "was" - a model citizen. Has a mistake been made?

Made in Canada: 101 Amazing Achievements by Bev Spencer

From the back of the book:
A fascinating book filled with the biggest, the best, the first - and the wackiest - in Canada!

A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer

From chapters.ca:
Nhamo is an unloved, unwanted orphan. And rather than face a hateful marriage she decides to flee her Mozambique village. Alone for the first time in her twelve years she paddles upriver toward Zimbabwe in her canoe. She sees off hippo and crocodiles, narrowly escapes drowning and survives for months on an island with only baboons for company. As if this were not enough, she is conscious wherever she goes of the spirits crowding around her - the benign shade of her mother, and the witches and other destructive spirits who must constantly be appeased. Nhamo is a heroine of unquenchable courage. Her transition from half- starved wild child to a strong, independent young woman with a place in the modern world gives a tender, moving and warmhearted quality to an extraordinary adventure story.

Little Owl and the Weed by Constance Boyle

From chapters.ca:
Little Owl takes such good care of the weed growing in the doormat by the kitchen door that it soon becomes impossible to get in or out of the house.

Dame Wiggins of Lee and Her Seven Wonderful Cats by Patience Brewster

It's amazing what cats can do!

The Other Side by Istvan Banyai

From chapters.ca:
In The Other Side, artist, designer, commentator, provocateur Istvan Banyal takes us on another exceptional visual journey. In graphically stunning illustrations that feature many clever twists in point of view, familiar scenes turn and turn again to show us the back, the front, the top, the bottom, the opposite, the other side of each perspective. Delightful, sly, funny and challenging. The Other Side will make you look and think twice!