Robot Dog by Mark Oliver

From chapters.ca:
In a factory on a hill, a huge machine creates robot dogs for owners eager to feed and play with the lively creatures. But when Scrap dents his ear, he is exiled to the junkyard where all of the other rejected creatures live without someone to care for them. The yard is a comfortable place, but it is never quite the same as finding an owner. What can the rejected dogs do? All dogs, even robot dogs, want an owner. With adorable illustrations, this charming tale is the perfect story for any child searching for a place in the world.

Slithery Jake by Rose-Marie Provencher, illustrated by Abby Carter

From chapters.ca:
It's one thing when Sid brings a snake home for a pet. But it's a whole different story when that snake escapes! Where on earth could that Slithery Jake be? Is he slinking in the covers? Hiding under the dog's dish? Sleeping in Grandpa's noodle lunch? The whole family grows frantic as they search for Sid's missing pet. Share in their surprise when Jake's hideaway is finally revealed. With quirky watercolors and a romping rhyme, Slithery Jake will slither right into your heart.

Princess Bun Bun by Richard Scrimger, illustrated by Gillian Johnson

From chapters.ca:
Eugene, Winifred, and baby Bun Bun are off to visit their uncle who lives in a Great Big Apartment building called Castle Apartments. Could it be a real castle? When Bun Bun, who's just learned to walk, toddles into the elevator alone, big sister Winifred comes to the rescue. As they go up and up and up in the modern- day tower, they meet a scary monster, a witch, and even a beautiful princess. Or do they?

A Chair for Always by Vera B. Williams

From chapters.ca:
There are some things that Rosa just knows. She knows that she can't wait to meet her new baby cousin, due to be born at any minute right upstairs. She knows that she will grow up and move away and maybe go to college, and perhaps even become the president of the United States. And she knows that the chair - that wonderful, beautiful, beloved chair, the chair for her mother - will always be there. Always. Just the way it is. Covered in velvet with roses all over it, ready for who- knows- what new adventure...

Where in the Wild? Camouflaged Creatures Concealed…and Revealed by David M Schwartz and Yael Schy, photos by Dwight Kuhn

From chapters.ca:
Ten creatures await, camouflaged in artful, full- page photographs, while playful poems offer clues about each animal's identity and whereabouts. Think you've spotted one? Lift one of ten gatefolds to find out. A full page of fascinating information accompanies each animal so readers can learn how nature's camouflage serves hunter and hunted alike.

Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend)_by Deborah Hopkinson and John Hendrix

From chapters.ca:
Here's an ingenious historical fiction picture book about the 16th president of the United States. It's a tale of two boys who get themselves into more trouble than bear cubs in a candy store. The year is 1816. Abe is only seven years old, and his pal, Austin, is ten. Abe and Austin decide to journey down to Knob Creek. The water looks scary and deep, and Austin points out that they don't know how to swim. Nevertheless, they decide to traverse it. I won't tell you what happens, but let's just say that the USA wouldn't be the same if Austin hadn't been there to help his friend.

Too Many Fairies: A Cltic Tale retold by Margaret Read MacDonald, illustrated by Susan Mitchell

From chapters.ca:
An old woman is at her wit's end when a troop of fairies won't stop cleaning her house.

Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah From Slave Ship to Pirate Ship by Barry Clifford et al

The riveting story of the slave ship Whydah, captured by pirates and later sunk in a fierce storm off the coast of Massachusetts, energizes this book. Packed with plunder from more than 50 captured ships, the Whydah was discovered by underwater explorer Barry Clifford in 1984. Now, for the first time, its treasure holds are unlocked for public view. Built to transport human captives from Africa to the Caribbean, the Whydah made one such voyage before being captured in 1717 by Sam Bellamy, the boldest pirate of his day. Two months later, in one of the worst nor'easters ever, the ship sank, drowning all but 2 of the 146 people aboard. For anyone intrigued by the lore of piracy, the mystery of shipwrecks, or the sad and salty intertwining of slave and pirate history, Real Pirates has the answers.

The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough by Katie Smith Milway, illustrated by Sylvie Daigneault

From chapters.ca:
From the best- selling author of One Hen comes the inspiring story of one struggling farming family in Honduras and their journey to growing enough food to meet their needs. Based on the real story of farm transformation underway in Honduras and many other countries, this book offers children ways they can be part of the movement to grow "good gardens" and foster food security.

Henri Matisse Drawing with Scissors by Keesia Johnson and Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Jessie Hartland

From chapters.ca:
Keesia and Henri Matisse have the same birthday - New Year's Eve! That's why she picks him for her art report and learns all about his paintings, books and cut- outs.

Danger! By Laura Buller, Susan Kennedy, Jim Pipe, and Richard Walker

From chapters.ca:
Readers will encounter animals armed with sharp claws and killer jaws, deep- sea monsters, poisonous plants, and frogs falling from the sky, not to mention some of the world's most accident- prone humans.

Where’s Mary’s Hat? By Barroux

From School Library Journal:
Mary the cow's favorite hat is missing, so she sets out to find it. On her search, she asks a stork in an orange hat, a beaver in a hot- air balloon, a chicken in a cook's hat, a pig balancing precariously on the edge of a diving board, a baseball- playing kangaroo, and several other animals if they have seen it, and each creature refers her to someone else. Finally, she asks a bear, who says he hasn't seen the hat, "but what do you think of my new kite?" Of course, he's flying a pink flowered hat. The brightly coloured acrylic artwork complements this delightfully understated story to a tee. Many of the stylized illustrations have clever details and are quite humorous. Readers will cheer Mary on as she tracks down her chapeau. A perfect fit for storytimes.

Monsoon Afternoon by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi

From chapters.ca:
This warm, multigenerational story offers a glimpse into the distinctive culture and customs of India, while reinforcing universal themes of love and the importance of family. It is monsoon season in India. Outside, dark clouds roll in and the rain starts to fall. As animals scatter to find cover, a young boy and his dadaji (grandfather) head out into the rainy weather. The two sail paper boats. They watch the peacocks dance in the rain, just as the colourful birds did when Dadaji was a boy. They pick mangoes and Dadaji lifts up his grandson so he can swing on the roots of the banyan tree, just as Dadaji did when he was young. Finally, when the two return home, hot tea and a loving family are waiting.

Josephine’s Dream by Joan Betty Stuchner

From chapters.ca:
The fictional story of Josephine Baker's childhood, this picture book showcases the dreams and the performances of this figure of the American civil rights movement. Born poor in money but rich in talent, Josephine Baker sang, danced, crossed her eyes, knocked her knees, and made crazy, funny faces - eventually stealing the show. She discovered it was hard for a black performer to see her name in lights in America in the 1920s, so she packed her bags and went to France, where she later joined the French underground during World War II. After her return to America, she joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., speaking at the March on Washington - the only woman to do so. With lively illustrations, this book blends history and fiction, capturing this important figure's ambitions and dreams.

The 3 Little Dassies by Jan Brett

From chapters.ca:
In this adaptation of the traditional folktale, three little dassies (also called rock hyraxes) build their houses in the Namib Desert of Southern Africa, hoping for protection from the eagle that lives atop a nearby mountain.

Pelle’s New Suit by Elsa Beskow

From chapters.ca:
A Swedish story of the steps in getting a new suit for a small boy, from shearing the lamb to tailoring.

The Matzo Ball Boy by Lisa Shulman, illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger

From chapters.ca:
The familiar tale of the gingerbread man is updated with a twist in this perfect story for Passover and all year round.

Baby Face: A Book of Love for Baby by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Diane Goode

From chapters.ca:
From the early morning of a new day to afternoon nap time to the evening bath and bedtime, a baby's life is sometimes quiet, sometimes busy, and always filled with baby love. Newbery Medal recipient Cynthia Rylant and beloved artist Diane goode joyfully celebrate all of the treasured moments in a baby's life in six read- aloud verses for babies and toddlers to share - especially with those they love.

What’s that Noise? By Michelle Edwards and Phyllis Root, illustrated by Paul Meisel

From chapters.ca:
A funny, tender tale of two brothers together in one scary room - and their triumph over things that go bump in the night.

Shark in the Park! By Nick Sharratt

From chapters.ca:
Award- winning children's illustrator Nick Sharratt has done it again! Young children will love doing the actions, sticking their fingers through the holes, joining in with the repeated phrases, and practicing which is left and which is right. But best of all, children will love Shark in the Park! because it will make them laugh! And they will ask for it again and again.

The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna

From chapters.ca:
Mr. Fish wants to help his friend Ms. Clam when she loses her pearl, but though he's fast as a sailfish, as smart as dolphin, and as strong as a shark, Mr. Fish has a secret: he's scared of the dark. Very young children will swim along with Mr. Fish as he journeys deep into the ocean to new and mysterious places. They will discover, as Mr. Fish does, the power of friendship to light the way through the big- big dark.

Hokey Pokey: Another Prickly Love Story by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Janie Bynum

From chapters.ca:
Cushion the porcupine and Barb the hedgehog, the adorable pair from Porcupining: A Prickly Love Story, are back for another adventure. Barb loves to dance, but Cushion has two left feet, and usually ends up prickling someone with his quills. How will he ever learn to dance?

Tanka Tanka Skunk! By Steve Webb

From chapters.ca:
Meet Tanka the elephant and his friend Skunka. Say their names together and they sound like drums. Skunka, Tanka, Skunka, Tanka, Tanka Tanka Skunk! They have lots of friends - lemurs, llamas, zebras, big gorillas and yakety, yakety yaks. It's a roller- coaster ride of sights and sounds and terrific fun to read aloud.

My favourite read aloud of all time!

The Alphabet Tree by Leo Lionni

From chapters.ca:
When a fierce wind threatens to blow all the little letters out of the alphabet tree, they must band together in words - and then sentences - to create a message that's even stronger than the wind: peace on earth. With their newfound knowledge, there's nothing the letters can't do in this gentle parable about the power of the written word.

Sisters by David McPhail

From chapters.ca:
These sisters are different in many ways. One sister likes pizza, but the other prefers corn on the cob. One sister likes frogs, but the other does not. However, they are alike in even more ways, such as their love of horses, baking, and splashing in puddles. And the one way they are alike the most is in their love for each other.

Jake Goes Peanuts by Michael Wright

From chapters.ca:
He would not try tomatoes or a single Brussels sprout. And if he tasted something new, he'd spit that thing right out. Jake is a picky eater. Everything new makes Jake's list of foods he doesn't like. Everything except peanut butter. Jake loves peanut butter.
Does the whole family have to eat peanuts for every meal? Peanut butter pancakes? Even peanut butter pot roast?! Will Jake ever try something new? The answer will delight children and their (not-so-picky) parents!

Fanny by Holly Hobbie

From Chapters.ca:
All Fanny wants in the world is a Connie doll, but Mom says "NO!" But no one ever said she couldn't make one instead! With some scissors, glue, and her craft box in hand, Fanny sets out to replicate Connie, but it's Annabelle who is the result of her efforts. A little lopsided and a little unkempt, Annabelle turns out to be the companion Fanny has always wanted. Though at first her friends turn up their noses, in the end everyone learns that using your imagination and working with your own two hands can result in the best toy of all!

One Hockey Night by David Ward, illustrated by Brian Deines

From chapters.ca:
Owen and Holly have just moved to Nova Scotia from Saskatchewan and everything is different. There are still boxes to unpack, and playing hockey in their new driveway just isn't the same as skating around the frozen lake back home. Neighbours come around to help their mom and dad, but with Christmas only a few days away, Holly and Owen really miss the friends they left behind. Little do they know that this year, a special surprise awaits them. On Christmas Eve, their father reveals what could very well be the best gift ever - a brand new backyard ice rink, filled with a whole community of new friends! With breathtaking artwork and a poignant story filled with holiday spirit, this wondrous new picture book will warm the hearts of all who read it.

Who Wears Glasses? By Ana Galan, illustrated by Seb Burnett

From chapters.ca:
Each of these animals has his or her owns style - some are serious, some are cool, and some are just plain silly! What kind of glasses would you wear? The whimsical rhyming text takes a lighthearted approach to embracing eyeglasses, and the illustrations are full of little details to make readers laugh.

Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney

From chapters.ca:
Llama Llama becomes overwhelmed as Christmas preparations progress, until his mother reminds him of the real gift the holiday brings.

Pajama Pirates by Andrew Kramer, illustrated by Leslie Lammle

From chapters.ca:
Come bedtime, the pajama pirates know just what to do: put on their pj's and let the treasure hunt begin! They set sail on an adventure that's filled with enemy pirate ships, a sword fight, a streak of lightning, and a storm sent by Mama Nature herself. But have no fear - these pajama pirates will not become shark bait! This nighttime voyage full of fun will ultimately lead little ones to the calming tides of bed.

A Porcupine in a Pine Tree: A Canadian 12 Days of Christmas by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Werner Zimmermann

From chapters.ca:
A hilarious cast of distinctively Canadian characters populate these Tweleve Days of Christmas! Christmas, as only Canadians can celebrate! Where else do Mounties frolic, squirrels enjoy a fine game of curling, and hockey players mark the season as lords-a -leaping? This hilarious, tongue- in- cheek re- setting of the popular Christmas carol is the perfect gift for Canadians new and old, young and young- at- heart.

Stanza by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Jack E Davis

From chapters.ca:
There's a slobbery thug in town, and his name is Stanza. He bullies everybody. He eats chicken pot pie. And... he writes poetry. On the sly. At night. Because he's extremely afraid his bully brothers will find out. But Stanza doesn't let that stop him from entering one of his poems into a jingle contest. Does he win? Well, what if he did... not?