Michael Winkler Talks about Grimmish

Coach House Books

Michael Winkler talks about his debut “exploded-nonfiction” novel, Grimmish, and the power of fiction.

Pain was Joe Grim’s self-expression, his livelihood and reason for being. In 1908–09 the Italian-American boxer toured Australia, losing fights but amazing crowds with his showmanship and extraordinary physical resilience. On the east coast Grim played a supporting role in the Jack Johnson–Tommy Burns Fight of the Century; on the west coast he was committed to an insane asylum. In between he played with the concept and reality of pain in a shocking manner not witnessed before or since.

Michael Winkler braids the story of Grim in Australia and meditations on pain with thoughts on masculinity and vulnerability, plus a talking goat and questionable jokes, in a haymaker of experimental non/fiction.

What Will I Discover? by Tanya Lloyd Kyi

Greystone Books

Sometimes, it seems as if scientists know everything about the world. They’ve recorded the songs of humpback whales, dug up the bones of dinosaurs, and even tracked the storms of Jupiter. But the young scientist in this charming picture book knows there is so much more to explore, like the answers to questions such as:

• 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?

What Will I Discover? is an inspiring exploration of curiosity and scientific discovery—and all the great mysteries just waiting for an answer.

Super Small by Tiffany Stones

Greystone Books

From a bestselling illustrator, this utterly unique comic-style book for kids 4 to 8 explores super-small creatures with astounding abilities. Did you know that some of the smallest creatures on Earth have real-life superpowers? From glow-in-the-dark sharks to immortal jellyfish and tiny cats with lethal aim, Super Small shows readers that just because you are small, it doesn’t mean you aren’t super—and sometimes being small can be super in and of itself.

A Tulip in Winter by Kathy Stinson

Greystone Books

Known for her vibrant and cheerful paintings of landscapes, plants, and animals, Maud Lewis’ iconic folk art is celebrated around the world. Despite her beautiful art, she spent much of her life living in poverty with rheumatoid arthritis. In this stunning picture book, author Kathy Stinson and illustrator Lauren Soloy bring Maud’s world to life: how she captured in her art what she loved most, while navigating the mobility issues caused by her condition. From bright paintings of the sea and countryside, to the flowers and birds she painted on the walls of the small house she shared with her husband, Maud’s work continues to delight and inspire viewers young and old.

Flip Flop Flapjack by Brenda Joyce Leahy

Red Barn Books

The true story behind the 100-year-old tradition of the Calgary Stampede pancake breakfast — as told by the granddaughter of the legendary founder Wildhorse Jack. Yahoo!

The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves

Pan Macmillan

New York Times bestselling author of the Shetland and Two Rivers series, Ann Cleeves, returns with the tenth in the acclaimed Northumbrian set Vera Stanhope series, following on from The Darkest Evening.

If You Could Be Anything

Nimbus Publishing

This lyrical lullaby from educator and musician Jen Britton, with illustrations by celebrated artist Briana Corr Scott (Mermaid Lullaby, Wildflower) asks young readers, If you could be anything, what would you be? Responses run the gamut from lupins to sea glass to a lighthouse shining bright to the pull of the tides, celebrating the abundant natural and cultural landscapes of the East Coast.

King Warrior Trailer

Renegade Arts

King Warrior – a new original graphic novel by Jay Bulckaert, Erika Nyyssonen and Lucas Green – Living in different worlds and separated by an ocean, a father and son try to stay connected through the power of imagination as their distanced lives pull them further apart.

Peace by Chocolate Trailer

Goose Lane Editions

Watch the trailer for the movie adaptation of the book by Tareq Hadhad. Death by Chocolate tells the extraordinary story of the Hadhad family — Isam, his wife Shahnaz, and their sons and daughters — and the founding of the chocolatier, Peace by Chocolate. From the devastation of the Syrian civil war, through their life as refugees in Lebanon, to their arrival in a small town in Atlantic Canada, Peace by Chocolate is the story of one family. It is also the story of the people of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and so many towns across Canada, who welcomed strangers and helped them face the challenges of settling in an unfamiliar land.

Author Chat with Hetherington, Covert, & Kurtness

Dundurn Press

Chat with Victoria Hetherington (Autonomy), K.S. Covert, & J.D. K (The Petting Zoos), and J.D. Kurtness (Aquariums).

Be the Change

Greystone Books

Be the Change is a guide and inspiration for kids 8-12 (and really, anyone) on sustainable living and how we can all make a difference in our messed up world. It includes information on everything from food waste and fossil fuels to combating loneliness and connecting with our community. Alongside practical tips on how we can shift our habits, inspired by my own experiences, you’ll find celebrations of young activists who are making a difference, in their own communities and around the world.

Howdy, I’m John Ware Animated Storybook

Red Barn Books

Enjoy an animated storybook about John Ware, Canada’s legendary Black cowboy and pioneer rancher, who blazed a trail of kindness despite adversity. Ideal for ages 7-12. Howdy, I’m John Ware (ISBN 9781999108786)  was published by Red Barn Books.

The Marmalade Diaries with Ben Aitken

Icon Books

From the author of The Gran Tour, a portrait of an intergenerational friendship. Recently widowed, Winnie, 84, was in need of some companionship. Someone to help with the weekly food shop and offer tips on the crossword. Ben, 34, was looking for a new housemate. As the UK was locked down in 2020, Ben and Winnie’s lives interwove, forming an unlikely friendship, where lessons were learnt and grief, both personal and that of a nation, was explored.

Gregor Craigie in conversation with Kathryn Marlow

Munro’s Books

Gregor Craigie, host of CBC’s On The Island, discusses his debut book On Borrowed Time: North America’s Next Big Quake, with CBC reporter, and sometimes host, Kathryn Marlow.

Ann Cleeves in Conversation with Iona Whishaw

Munro’s Books

Ann Cleeves, New York Times bestselling author and creator of the Shetland and Vera series, discusses The Heron’s Cry, the second book in her new Two Rivers series featuring Detective Matthew Venn (soon to be featured in the television series The Long Call!) alongside Canadian mystery writer Iona Whishaw.

Diary of a Young Naturalist

Greystone Books

Author and environmental activist Dara McAnulty reads from his book, Diary of a Young Naturalist, to celebrate its North American release.

Pickles introduces Trip of the Dead

Cormorant Books

Pickles the housecat talks about the latest book in the Tails from the Apocalypse series, Trip of the Dead… or maybe not. She’s a little distracted right now.

The World of After

Cormorant Books

Author Stephen Henighan’s latest novel, The World of After.

The Good Son

Cormorant Books

Author Carolyn Huizinga Mills introduces her debut novel, The Good Son.

Wildflower by Briana Corr Scott

Nimbus Publishing

Artist/author Briana Corr Scott explains where her ideas came from for her gorgeous new picture book, Wildflower.

Trailer for The Night Walk by Marie Dorleans

Kids from PGC Raincoast

The dreamy story of a family’s exciting journey through the night. Beautiful and evocative, this award-winning picture book celebrates the importance of family time and the awe-inspiring power of the natural world.

Hare B&B

Running The Goat

Meet Harry and her seven siblings in this charming animated book trailer created by the fine folks at Perfect Day Canada, and featuring original music by the very talented Christina Smith.

I Am a Peaceful Goldfish

Kids by Greystone via UTP/HGD

I Am a Peaceful Goldfish teaches kids and families about playful breathing techniques that we can use to overcome our anxiety and feel calm and grounded.

Firefly Book Trailer

Cormorant Books

Firefly lives in the park across from her mother’s house. But after the baseball-bat night happens, Firefly gets nabbed by social services and she goes to live in her Aunt Gayle’s costume shop.She can get used to sleeping in a bed again, even taking baths, but which costume is the real Firefly? A new middle-grade children’s book from award-winning author Philippa Dowding.

The Heartbeat of Trees

Greystone via UTP/HGD

Peter Wohlleben discusses his new book, The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature. Following his New York Times bestseller The Hidden Life of Trees, The Heartbeat of Trees is a powerful return to the forest, where trees have heartbeats and roots are like brains that extend underground. Where the colour green calms us, and the forest sharpens our senses.

Douglas Stuart at the Hay Festival Winter Weekend

Shuggie Bain from PGC

Douglas Stuart in conversation with the writer and broadcaster Natalie Haynes about his debut novel Shuggie Bain, which was recently named the winner of the 2020 Booker Prize for Fiction.

Based on Stuart’s own childhood, Shuggie Bain tells the story of a young boy growing up in 1980s Glasgow with a mother who is battling addiction. Stuart, a former fashion designer who started writing in his spare time a decade ago, dedicated the book to his own mother, who died of alcoholism when he was 16.

The Math Kids: An Encrypted Clue

When Stephanie Lewis finds secret writing in the margin of an old book in the library, The Math Kids have a new puzzle to solve. But first, they must learn about codes and ciphers, and how to use their math skills to solve them.

The Plastic Problem

Join author Rachel Salt, as she discusses her two recently-published books, The Plastic Problem and Your Plastic Footprint. Though plastic has numerous benefits, our reliance on this sturdy, light, and flexible material, paired with its longevity and our changing consumer habits means we’ve created a real plastic problem. However, there are reasons to be hopeful! This webinar will investigate the many meaningful and creative ways people around the world are working to manage, reduce and eliminate plastic waste, while providing ideas for classroom activities that can be taught virtually.

Confluence of Challenges: The Fate of the Human Experiment

Various books from PGC/Raincoast

The worldwide pandemic has laid bare the existential challenges of our time, including systemic racism, economic inequality and environmental collapse. There are calls to rethink our political systems and social relations. What might this new world look like? Join us to consider the fate of the human experiment with one of the eminent thinkers of our time.

Noam Chomsky is a distinguished linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, and political activist. Institute Professor Emeritus at MIT, he is author of numerous groundbreaking works on topics ranging from linguistics to war, politics, and mass media. Now in his ninth decade, he remains a trenchant and timely social critic. Guest panelists: Elizabeth May, Avigail Eisenberg, David Seljak and Martha McGinnis.

Kimmy & Mike

Kids via Nimbus

Dave Paddon introduces viewers to the recitation tradition in Newfoundland and Labrador, and talks about his newest book Kimmy & Mike, with brilliant artwork by Lily Snowden-Fine.

Teatime Around the World

Kids by Greystone via UTP/HGD

Author Denyse Waissbluth introduces readers to her new book, Teatime Around the World, and shares her favourite teatime memories.

Booknet: Canadian Book Market in 2020

Join Booknet Canada for a look at book sales and reader behaviour in the Canadian market in 2020.