Greystone Books

Let's go on an insect expedition for kids ages 4 to 8! This adventure into the extraordinary world of bugs is inspired by David Suzuki's adventures with his own grandkids.

It's time for the twins to go on a nature expedition with Bompa. What marvelous place will they explore this time? Tidepools at the sea? The pond full of frogs' eggs? Maybe deep in the forest? But to their disappointment, they are just exploring outside the door. Yet, as they begin to search for insects, they find world-champion flyers, eaters, and weightlifters. And more tiny surprises at every turn!

With their Bompa at their side, they find a way to recognize the amazing feats and important role of all insects. . . even the annoying ones! Featuring gorgeous art by Qin Leng, this picture book is a lush, colorful tour through a world we too often overlook.

This exciting and educational tribute to bugs features:

• Amazing facts about insects, including backmatter pages
• Information on how kids can help bugs thrive
• A celebration of grandparents: depicts the fun two children have with their grandfather

After reading Bompa's Insect Expedition, kids will come away understanding how essential bugs are to our world.

Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.

• Are worms afraid of the rain?
• Do fish use farts to communicate?
• Why do elephants stomp their feet?
• Do animals dream? What do they dream about? 
• Do animals get scared, feel happy, or become excited like we do?

• How to spot animal homes and follow their movements
• How our actions impact animals and their ability to survive and thrive in nature
• About some of the wildest and most interesting creatures on Earth

You might think cities are the last place to find nature. But nature is actually right outside your door—you just need to know where to look. From the roofs of apartments to parking lots, cities are bursting with plants and animals.

In this fascinating and interactive guide, kids will learn about how birds build their nests on bridges, where salamanders and toads hide, and how plants push through sidewalk cracks. Alongside these awe-inspiring facts, Peter shares engaging, science-based activities, including how to:

• Identify animal sounds
• Raise a slime mold
• Make your own compass
• Collect plants to start your own herbarium
• See shooting stars
• And more

"A cute, sentimental tale that will appeal to those who love The Giving Tree"––School Library Journal

Adults and children alike will delight in this heartwarming and visually powerful picture book, which shares a timeless story about love, connection, and finding the courage to grow tall on one's own.

Every year when the wind blows, the tree’s seeds sail away to a mysterious place—until one little seed decides to stay. At first, the tree supposes the seed should leave. How else would it grow roots to rise tall and strong? But the tree is also lonely, and the mysterious place is far, far away. Will the seed be safe on its own?

Stay, Little Seed celebrates the rhythms of the natural world and shares a gentle message for all of us, no matter our age: Sometimes, by letting go and being brave, we begin life’s greatest adventures.

“Careful nurturing begets the launch into the unknown: Valentini celebrates both as natural and fitting.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Both children and adult readers will identify with [Stay Little Seed’s] timeless themes, from the joy in comforting familial bonds to the growth that can only happen with independence.”
—Booklist

“A charming and quietly profound story, Stay, Little Seed encourages readers to be courageous enough to let go and experience new adventures in life.”
—Books to Borrow, Books to Buy

• A glossary of Cree words used throughout the book
• Backmatter content that includes a pronunciation guide

• Do different trees speak different languages to one another through their tangled rainforest roots?
• Do faraway suns have planets like ours, with air and oceans and land?
• How do ideas pop into our heads, and where do our questions come from?

This captivating tale will inspire children across the world to build compassion for an iconic yet vulnerable animal.

Stirring, gorgeous illustrations of wolves, snow, and trees illuminate this uplifting and empowering story, which offers a gentle message for protecting wild wolves in North America and beyond. Just like us, wolves have brothers, sisters, parents, and friends—and they very much need our help.

In award-winning author Eliza Robertson’s stunning debut children’s book, a young, brave wolf named Spur is looking for food with her brother when, suddenly, a flying beast appears in the sky. What was that thing? And where did her brother go? The next time the helicopter appears, Spur knows just what to do to save her wolf pack and reunite with her brother.

Based on a true story, this sweet and playful picture book about a little lost narwhal introduces kids to the marine world and the surprising friendships under the sea. 

When little narwhal sets off on an adventure to see new sights, he finds himself far from home, too far to return on his own. Scared and alone, narwhal looks for other narwhals but finds a pod of belugas instead. They don’t speak his language or eat the same foods, but when the belugas begin to play—little narwhal knows exactly what to do!

This heartwarming story is the perfect gift for young kids starting school, daycare, or making new friends: 

• Little narwhal finds friends in new and unexpected places, helping kids to feel excited and empowered about relationship-building.
• Shares an important message about acceptance, empathy, and overcoming differences 
• The poetic language and playful illustrations are engaging and memorable 

Includes a note from a marine biologist about the true events that inspired this story.

• Empathy and connection with all living things
• Mindfulness and appreciation with the world around us
• That the forest is full of magical sounds—you just have to listen!

• Brilliant and unique illustrations: The depiction of vibrant bioluminescent species against an unusual black backdrop creates an unforgettable visual experience for readers.
• The science of bioluminescence: Shares the real-life magic of bioluminescence with sidebars about the various places and species in which bioluminescence is found.
• Text can be read on two levels: Kuo’s simple and poetic narrative is accompanied by scientific facts about bioluminescence.

• How fungi contribute to keeping forests clean and healthy.
• How trees and plants rely on fungi to access the water and nutrients essential for their survival.
• How fungi assist certain animals in digesting their food.
• How fungi benefit humans by providing medicines and food.

• Fascinating facts about stick bugs and other insects throughout the text
• An engaging introduction to counting and subtracting

• Engaging techniques that build bravery and self-confidence
• A reminder that it’s okay to feel nervous!

• birds who chase and chirp!
• bears who wiggle and wobble!
• whales who swim and squirt!
• owls who peek and peep!
• and a diverse group of kids who love to do the same, shouting:

• A glossary of Cree words for wild animals in the book
• A pronunciation guide and link to audio pronunciation recordings

An artful and timeless exploration of love, loss, grief, and family, How Jack Lost Time will appeal to readers of Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, and other picture books for older readers and adults. 

Jack is not like other sea captains. Fishermen say he’s weird, but Jack only cares about one thing: the grey whale with the scarred dorsal fin, the one who swallowed up his son, Julos, years before. Jack promises he will not come home without Julos, even if it means losing himself in the process. Then, on a night like any other, Jack sees something lurking around his boat. He throws himself into the whale’s dark mouth. But is he too late? Will his son recognize him after years of being alone?

Poignant, original, and vibrant, this contemporary nautical fable journeys into the heart of the human spirit, and will move readers young and old.

Winner of the 2019 Governor General’s Award for Youth Literature—French Language

A Bank Street College Best Children’s Book

A book to inspire children to look for treasures in the great outdoors, where everyday objects take on new, magical meanings with a little imagination. 

“Alive with modest wonder—a treasure.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Little Bear is a treasure finder. And he finds the most wonderful things: a shiny button, a tickly feather, a cozy hiding place, a tree to scratch, and even a shy, soft piece of lint. The other animals, however, don’t understand Little Bear’s treasures. “Just junk,” they say. Except for one… When Little Bear meets Little Bird, it’s the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Together, Little Bear just might discover his best treasure yet.

Poetic, affectionate, funny, and captivatingly illustrated, this gorgeous picture book is a treasure itself.

This “heartbreaking … powerful work” (★ School Library Journal) introduces the contemporary issue of forced disappearances to readers 10 and up—with “deceptively simple black line drawings” and “unsentimental bilingual text” (★ Kirkus).

By a closed door, a child waits for his uncle, who is coming to stay. As he waits, he imagines all the fun things they’ll do when he arrives: his uncle can teach him how to block a penalty shot and the boy can show him how well he is doing in school. But his uncle never arrives. Page by page, the boy grows older sitting in the same position, waiting to show his uncle his degree, his son, and eventually, his granddaughter. And still, his uncle does not come. 

A bilingual edition, with both Spanish and English text,My Uncle Is Coming Tomorrow is dedicated to the forcibly disappeared who were never able to come home, and depicts the devastating impact on their loved ones who are left behind. 

An excellent resource for learning about the history of forced disappearances, this gentle but effective book includes an afterword that explains the act of “disappearing people”: how it developed over the course of the twentieth century as a tool of political terror, and how people continue to be disappeared today.

An Aldana Libros Book, Greystone Kids

Young and old alike will cheer and sing along with this heartfelt picture book about pet adoption based on a new song by Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie.

In this tender and moving picture book, a puppy is looking for someone to love him. Will the girl who rescues him convince her parents to let her keep the little dog? Buffy Sainte-Marie advocates “putting the songs to work” and, like her other lyrics, Hey Little Rockabye conveys an important message about finding love and acceptance. Brought to life in charming illustrations by Ben Hodson, Hey Little Rockabye shares a not-yet-released song with the world for the first time.

With the release of the first-ever recording to coincide with the publication of the book, Hey Little Rockabye can now be read—or sung—by old and young alike for years to come.

• Stunning artwork in Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas’ iconic style
• An inspiring afterword from Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai
• Scientific and cultural facts about hummingbirds

A dazzling story about love—for the stars, and for one another—between two young people, set in the multicultural city of Montréal.

Every day, Yakov takes his sisters to the park. He's supposed to look after them, but their games are boring, so he reads about space and dreams of becoming an astronaut instead. His father, though, has other plans: he wants Yakov to take over his grocery store when he grows up.

Yakov's world changes when at the park one day, he comes across a girl also reading a book about space. Aïcha has moved into the house right behind his, and the two become inseparable. Together, they search for constellations, check out astronomy books from the library, and marvel at the night sky. However, their fathers fear they are growing too close. They are forbidden from spending time together, and Aïcha eventually moves away.

Years later, Yakov has achieved his dream: he works for NASA and builds space probes. Will he and Aïcha ever see each other again?

The Stars features:

• An engaging, cartoon style
• A powerful message about following your passion
• A celebration of the excitement and wonder of scientific pursuits—and how science can unite us

From award-winning picture book creator and cartoonist Jacques Goldstyn, The Stars is a brilliant and heartwarming hymn to friendship, the infinity of the sky, and following what you love.

An Aldana Libros Book, Greystone Kids

Illustrated with stunning cut paper art, these seven poetic vignettes capture true stories of courage, hope, and resilience from around the world.

In Imagine A Garden, award-winning children's author Rina Singh shares seven real-life stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their communities amidst war, poverty, and violence.

With vivid, textured images from celebrated Iranian illustrator Hoda Hadadi, this powerful picture book is:

• A celebration of everyday heroes and how they make their communities a better place
• A teaching tool for facilitating difficult but hopeful conversations about conflict in our world, and the people who are making a difference in their own way

For kids ages 6 to 10, Imagine A Garden reimagines our complex world through the lens of love and compassion.

A breathtaking mountain adventure, in which a boy finds his inner strength, from the author of the critically-acclaimed, award-winning novel The Heart 

Paul is ten years old and lives with his aunt and uncle. Bruce, an old family friend, suddenly reappears after three years of silence, eager to keep a promise he made to Paul to take him on a three-day mountain trek. 

Paul longs for Bruce’s friendship and wants badly to prove himself. But he is also timid and unsure, and Bruce—who is better at doing than explaining—doesn’t make it any easier.

A dramatic event gives Paul the chance to find his inner strength, and to show himself and everyone else what he is capable of.

This uniquely illustrated coming-of-age story for teens can help create thought-provoking discussion about: 

• Finding independence, resiliency, and self-confidence 
• The importance of guidance and mentorship from trusted adults 

An Aldana Libros Book, Greystone Kids

This “heartbreaking … powerful work” (★ School Library Journal) introduces the contemporary issue of forced disappearances to readers 10 and up—with “deceptively simple black line drawings” that “allow for no meandering of attention” (★ Kirkus).

By a closed door, a child waits for his uncle, who is coming to stay. As he waits, he imagines all the fun things they’ll do when he arrives: his uncle can teach him how to block a penalty shot and the boy can show him how well he is doing in school. But his uncle never arrives. Page by page, the boy grows older sitting in the same position, waiting to show his uncle his degree, his son, and eventually, his granddaughter. And still, his uncle does not come. 

My Uncle Is Coming Tomorrow is dedicated to the forcibly disappeared who were never able to come home, and depicts the devastating impact on their loved ones who are left behind. 

An excellent resource for learning about the history of forced disappearances, this gentle but effective book includes an afterword that explains the act of “disappearing people”: how it developed over the course of the twentieth century as a tool of political terror, and how people continue to be disappeared today.

An Aldana Libros Book, Greystone Kids

• The surprising role that food and digestion play in your mood and immune system.
• The amazing tools your body uses to break down food including acids, which do their thing without burning a hole in your stomach!
• The incredible truth that not all bacteria is bad! Billions of “helpful bacteria” belong in your gut.
• And so much more!

• How to engage with nature in fun and respectful ways
• Mindfulness and empathy with the world around us
• Positive and gentle play with younger siblings
• The ocean makes magical sounds—you just have to listen!

This silly yet sophisticated picture book will make kids AND parents laugh—the perfect story for reading aloud! 

For fans of Strictly No Elephants

A child takes a dog for a walk. At least, so the child insists. But nobody else sees a dog! Neighbors try to figure out why a child is walking a banana on a leash, while the child tries to make them understand that the banana is really a dog. A dog named Banana!

But…it can’t be. Can it?

My Dog Banana is a jewel of absurdity that brings to life a diverse group of characters, filled with classic charm and endless humour.

• The surprising role that food and digestion play in your mood and immune system.
• The amazing tools your body uses to break down food including acids, which do their thing without burning a hole in your stomach!
• The incredible truth that not all bacteria is bad! Billions of “helpful bacteria” belong in your gut.
• And so much more!

• An introduction to gardening and greenhouses
• A note from the author about the inspiration behind the story

• Beauty is as diverse as we are.
• “Beautiful” means something different to everyone, and that’s okay!
• The beauty of the natural world is worth celebrating!

• Incredible science about animals’ “sixth sense,” including how they can detect natural disasters before they happen, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
• Backmatter on ICARUS, the project currently studying animal senses, and its incredibly discoveries about animal behavior.

From beloved Indigenous icon Buffy Sainte-Marie comes a chapter book inspired by oral histories and traditions. On a prairie reserve, Tâpwê receives a mysterious gift from Kokhom (grandma)—and finds himself on an unforgettable adventure. 

Tâpwê can’t wait to spend a week with his cousins on the other side of the Cree reserve—especially since Kokhom, his grandma, has given him the most amazing gift: a Magic Hat with bluebirds and grass snakes that come to life! Tâpwê is so excited that he soon forgets Kokhom’s advice: Watch out for tricksters!

Tâpwê’s adventure is everything he imagined. He meets his cousins, takes part in a powwow, and sleeps in a tipi. But soon he’s reminded of Kokhom’s words. Is his new friend Wâpos leading him astray with mischief?

Tâpwê and the Magic Hat draws on a rich Indigenous tradition of storytelling and features:

• A memorable cast of characters from both imagination and legend. 
• A glossary and pronunciation guide of Cree words used in the book. 
• A note to parents and teachers from Buffy Sainte-Marie about trickster stories. 
• An important message for young readers about being yourself, and learning to dance to the beat of your own heart.
• Features black and white illustrations throughout.

Discover the extraordinary world of viruses, from their creation and transmission to what we can do to stop them, in this science-based resource for kids 8 to 12. 

If we didn’t know it before, we certainly know it now: Viruses can be powerful—so powerful, in fact, that they can hold the world in their grip for months at a time. But what exactly is a virus? Where do they come from and what do they do to our bodies? How do they spread, and what can we do to protect ourselves? 

Author Marc ter Horst tackles these questions with playfulness and humor, while Wendy Panders’ quirky and enlightening illustrations bring the text to life. Snot, Sneezes, and Super-Spreaders is an accessible and engaging guide to help young readers understand our current world, with information on: 

• Pandemics, addressed in an age-appropriate way that goes beyond doom and gloom. 
• The value and importance of vaccines for addressing viral diseases.
• Fascinating, icky diseases of the past—and those that still hang around today. 
• The science behind how to protect ourselves and our communities from current and future viruses.

• Fascinating information about astronomy and space reviewed by scientists, including an astrophysicist and planetary scientist. Discover how to find the North Star, learn about the history of space exploration, and more!
• Comic-style illustrations: shares Squeak, Orni and Castor’s thrilling space adventures through a graphic novel format

• Fascinating information about astronomy and space reviewed by scientists, including an astrophysicist and planetary scientist. Discover how to find the North Star, learn about the history of space exploration, and more!
• Comic-style illustrations: shares Squeak, Orni and Castor’s thrilling space adventures through a graphic novel format

• Do crows have families?
• How do crows communicate with one another?
• Do crows play?
• How can we interact with them?

• Do crows have families?
• How do crows communicate with one another?
• Do crows play?
• How can we interact with them?

“Clever and effective for the pre- and primary school nature shelves.”—Kirkus 

In the vein of Jack Prelutsky and Dennis Lee comes a celebration of the sky with thirty zippy poems that will lift kids’ spirits and let their imaginations soar.

What do you see when you look up at the sky? In this “lyrical” picture book (Booklist) for ages 3-8, the award-winning and critically-acclaimed children’s poet, Robert Heidbreder, shares thirty memorable poems that capture the magic and beauty of all the wonderful things kids can see when they gaze at the sky. Gorgeous illustrations by artist and naturalist Emily Dove depict a diverse cast of children playing and cheering under a sky filled with birds and balloons, snow and shooting stars, sunflowers and falling leaves, and helicopters and kites.

“A multicultural cast of children are shown reveling in the outdoors. Readers are encouraged to observe and appreciate the natural world around them.”
—Booklist

From Hans Christian Andersen award winner Suzy Lee comes an inventive retelling of a Korean folk tale about a young traveler who outwits a rich, selfish man to ensure that villagers will always be able to rest in the shade of a magnificent tree.

“A gorgeous fable celebrating generosity and wit.”—Kirkus, STARRED review

Villagers like to come to rest and cool down in the shade of a huge, old tree. But when a young traveler decides to join them one day, a rich man on whose land the tree stands demands they leave because he owns the tree and therefore its shade. Thinking fast, the traveler strikes a deal: one that will enable him to outsmart the rich man—and ensure that the villagers will always have access to the shade tree's shade, wherever it may fall.

With simple, elegant illustrations, The Shade Tree is a striking story about one person's quest to combat greed for the greater good.

An Aldana Libros Book, Greystone Kids

• An engaging, cartoon style
• An inspiring message about courage and finding your place in the world
• Vivid artwork that will make readers want to flip through the pages over and over

• The traditions and importance of Lunar New Year
• Understanding the complex feelings that come from family and friends living far away
• How to cope with feelings of loneliness and missing loved ones

• Fascinating ocean science: Discover the phenomena of tides and waves, why fish swim in schools, why some underwater creatures’ glow, and more!
• Comic-style illustrations: shares Squeak, Orni, Castor and Echid’s extraordinary underwater adventures through an eye-catching graphic novel format.
• Dive into marine biology: Whales, sharks, and coral, oh my! Discover the importance of our underwater friends, their ecosystems and the importance of protecting them.
  

• Fascinating ocean science: Discover the phenomena of tides and waves, why fish swim in schools, why some underwater creatures’ glow, and more!
• Comic-style illustrations: shares Squeak, Orni, Castor and Echid’s extraordinary underwater adventures through an eye-catching graphic novel format.
• Dive into marine biology: Whales, sharks, and coral, oh my! Discover the importance of our underwater friends, their ecosystems and the importance of protecting them.
  

A lively introduction to voting, democracy, and activism for kids.

“The message of this book, which focuses on a student body’s divided opinion about an issue vital to its future, is that disagreements can lead to fruitful discussion, better understanding and great ideas.” —The New York Times

Should an ancient monkey puzzle tree be cut down to make room for exciting new classrooms? In this spirited picture book, students must work together to come to an agreement—but it’s not as easy as it seems!

On the first day back at school after the holidays, a group of classmates notice a construction crane parked next to the old monkey puzzle tree. The school principal says the tree will be cut down to make room for new science classrooms and computer labs. The classmates are divided, with some in favor of innovation, and others calling for the protection of the thousand-year-old tree. As they protest, march, fight, and strike, one teacher offers a solution: Why not hold a debate? The principal agrees, and at the end of the debate, a student vote will end the disagreement, once and for all—or will it?

Inspirational without being didactic, and filled with warm, lively illustrations, this wonderful introduction to the process of debate, listening, and collective decision-making will be read by young and old alike for years to come.

“A refreshing and timely reminder that disagreement can—and should—be productive.” —Kirkus

An Aldana Libros Book, Greystone Kids

• Teaching kids about cooperation and teamwork—and how they help us achieve our dreams!
• A fun and creative Easter or Spring-themed gift for kids

• Backmatter explaining what we know—and don't know—about cave drawings.
• Stunning black and white illustrations of life during the Pleistocene.

• A glossary of Cree words featured in the book, and a Cree refrain (haw êkwa!) repeated throughout
• A note to the reader from Julie Flett about her inspiration for the story

• What happens when someone dies
• How to understand their feelings of loss and grief
• How everyone can experience grief differently, and have a variety of emotions when something tragic happens

For kids 8 to 13, join the largest Arctic expedition ever undertaken—and discover the secrets hidden deep in the ice that reveal how one of the world's crucial ecosystems is changing.

The Arctic is changing—fast. The once-frozen landscape is melting before our eyes, and the effects can be felt around the world. But the Arctic is also the region we know the least about. Thick ice, extreme cold, and total darkness have always prevented scientists from uncovering its secrets. Until now.

This science-based guide for middle readers follows the 2019 MOSAiC expedition on the largest expedition to the Arctic ever undertaken. On board the Polarstern, a powerful ice-breaker research vessel, more than five hundred scientists from all over the world turned their attention to this mysterious region. Their mission? To let their vessel freeze in the sea ice and drift towards the North Pole in order to study how the Arctic is changing, and how these changes will affect our world.

Mission: Arctic features:

• Filled with photographs from the expedition
• Thrilling facts, illustrations, diagrams, and fact bars about the polar region
• The dangerous conditions the scientists endured, from freezing temperatures to terrifying storms and polar bears
• The important discoveries made on the mission

Through this thrilling book, readers will discover the Arctic ice is not as permanent as we thought, and what happens in the Arctic doesn't stay in the Arctic. The knowledge gathered on the Polarstern has the power to determine our planet's future—if only we pay attention.