Kim’s Convenience is a Canadian TV series that follows the everyday lives of the Kim family, first-generation Korean immigrants running a convenience store in Toronto’s Regent Park. Over the course of five seasons, viewers follow the ups and downs of Mr. Kim (Appa), his wife Mrs. Kim (Umma), their daughter Janet, and their estranged son […]
Kim’s Convenience is a play that follows the lives of the Kimfamily, first-generation Korean immigrants running a conveniencestore in Toronto’s Regent Park. Mr. Kim (Appa) is determined tosecure his family’s future through the store, hoping his daughterJanet will take over the business. However, Janet dreams of acareer in photography and resists her father’s wishes. Meanwhile,the […]
Drawing on her own experiences as the daughter of a Ghanaianmother and a white British father, Afua Hirsch’s Brit(ish): On Race,Identity and Belonging explores the complexities of race,belonging, and identity in contemporary Britain. Hirsch combinespersonal narrative with interviews and broader reflections onBritish history, colonialism, and current social issues. Sheexamines how the legacy of empire, the […]
Smugglers’ Fox is a coming-of-age novel that follows Jonah andhis younger brother Rio, who have always relied on each other,especially during their mother’s unpredictable absences. Whentheir mother disappears after an incident at the beach, socialservices decide to separate the boys, sending Jonah to live with afoster carer named Mimi in Robin Hood’s Bay. Jonah is […]
This graphic novel tells the story of Ebo, a twelve-year-old boy from a small African village. When Ebo’s brother and sister both set out on the journey to Europe in search of safety and a better life, Ebo follows, determined not to be left behind. His epic journey takes him across the Sahara Desert, through the dangerous streets of Tripoli, and onto the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Illegal addresses contemporary issues such as forced migration, human trafficking, and the refugee crisis. The story is inspired by real events and provides a resource for discussing migration, human rights, and empathy.
Inspired by the true story of an Arctic fox’s extraordinary 2,000-mile migration from Norway to Canada, the book follows Leila as she travels to Norway to reconnect with her estranged mother, a climate scientist. Together, they join an expedition tracking Miso’s perilous trek across the Arctic, a journey driven bythe need to survive in a world altered by climate change. The narrative draws parallels between Miso’s migration and Leila’s own experience fleeing Syria, exploring themes of displacement, resilience, belonging, and the search for home.
The story follows Ajay, a street child abandoned on the Mumbai railways, who survives by selling newspapers but dreams of becoming a journalist. When Ajay discovers an old printing press, he and his friends launch their own newspaper, The Mumbai Sun. Their reporting leads them to uncover a corrupt scheme by powerful builders and politicians to demolish a neighboring slum, threatening to leave hundreds homeless. This novel addresses themes of ambition, resilience, friendship, and the power of words to create change. It is an excellent resource for exploring social justice and civic responsibility with students aged 8–12. The narrative encourages critical thinking about ethics, corruption, and the role of the media in society. It provides opportunities for discussions on poverty, homelessness, and the importance of community action.
This novel blends fairy tale elements with real-world challenges. The story follows Hazel, a 12-year-old girl sent ahead of her parents from Kuwait to England to live with her great aunt. Struggling to adapt to a new country, Hazel finds herself caught between reality and a fantasy world, where three mysterious fireflies set her daunting quests. As Hazel navigates summer school and tries to make friends, the fireflies’ challenges become a metaphor for her struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety. Through fairy tales, Hazel learns to face her fears, seek support, and discover her own strength. https://www.harpercollins.com/products/a-flash-of-fireflies-aisha-bushby?variant=39708719415330
“The Way Home for Wolf” follows the journey of Wilf, a young wolf cub who is as headstrong as he is adorable. The story begins as Wilf’s wolf pack decides to leave their home in search of better hunting grounds. Confident in his abilities, Wilf insists he doesn’t need anyone’s help. However, when a blizzard separates him from his family, the young wolf finds himself lost in the wilderness. “The Way Home for Wolf” is a tale about growing up and learning to rely on others. It gently teaches children that independence is admirable, but there’s also strength in accepting support when needed.
“The Whale Who Wanted More” follows the adventures of Humphrey, a whale with an insatiable appetite for new experiences. Humphrey swims through the ocean, constantly searching for something to fill a mysterious emptiness he feels inside. He tries various activities and collects an assortment of treasures, but nothing seems to satisfy his longing. The book addresses themes of materialism and the search for fulfillment in a way that’s accessible to young children. It gently encourages readers to look beyond material possessions and find joy in relationships and experiences.
“The Koala Who Could“ tells the story of Kevin, a koala who is afraid of change and prefers to stay in his comfort zone high up in his eucalyptus tree. Kevin’s world is turned upside down when his tree begins to shake, and he’s forced to face his fears. The story follows his journey as he learns to embrace new experiences and overcome his anxieties with the help of his animal friends. “The Koala Who Could” is a tale about personal growth and resilience. It encourages children to step out of their comfort zones and discover the exciting possibilities that await them.
“The Squirrels Who Squabbled” follows the adventures of two squirrels, Cyril and Bruce, who find themselves in a comical competition over thelast pinecone of the season. As Cyril and Bruce tumble through their adventure, they learn valuable lessons about friendship, cooperation, and the importance of sharing. The book cleverly weaves these morals into the story without being preachy, allowing young readers to discover the message through the squirrels’ experiences.
“Grandude’s Green Submarine” is the sequel to Paul McCartney’s children’s book “Hey Grandude!,” continuing the whimsical adventures of Grandude and his grandchildren. The story follows Grandude as he receives a mysterious postcard from his old bandmate, Ringo, who appears to be in trouble. Without hesitation, Grandude and the children hop aboard his newly introduced green submarine to rescue their friend. “Grandude’s Green Submarine” not only entertains but also subtly educates young readers about marine life and the wonders of the ocean.
“Hey Grandude!“, written by Paul McCartney, follows the adventures of an eccentric grandfather “Grandude,” and his four grandchildren. Inspired by McCartney’s own experiences as a grandfather, the story takes young readers on a journey filled with excitement and wonder. Grandude possesses a magical compassthat can transport the group to incredible destinations around the world. “Hey Grandude!” is an invitation to explore the power of imagination and the special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren.
Love Letters to the Dead follows Laurel on her journey of coming of age and grief. The novel’s journey begins with a simple task in her English class where her teacher asks her to write a letter to any dead person of her choosing. Laurel dedicates her first letter to Kurt Cobain telling him about […]
This book can give children a wonderful insight into the lives of other children across the globe. The daily lives and activities of seven different children are highlighted, from countries like Japan, Peru, and Uganda. Getting a glimpse into the lives of others can help us understand differences but also, that at the end of […]
This heartwarming story shows the beauty of non-traditional families and can help introduce this topic to young readers. The Central Park Zoo houses all kinds of animals, the penguins being among the ones that love living in pairs. Roy and Silo, two male penguins, are in love and desperately want a little penguin of their […]
When Donovan tells his mom about the adventure novel they’re reading at school, her reaction comes as a surprise. So what if the two boys in the story talk about loving each other? However, this kickstarts an attempt to ban the assigned book The Adventurers due to “mature” and “inappropriate” content. This storyline is intertwined […]