Contemporary Canadian Picture Books

This enriched reference guide offers a unique overview of more than 200 picture books published by Canadian publishing houses between 2017–2019. The authors cover key themes in contemporary Canadian titles that match broad curriculum trends in education. Response activities are included in the text, for example frameworks for critical literacy discussions, along with annotated bibliographies that specifically recognize titles by Indigenous authors and illustrators. The book also contains original interviews with a dozen rising stars in Canadian writing and book illustration. While the book is specifically geared for educators, it also supports public libraries, Education researchers, and future picture book creators, as well as families who are interested in learning more about reading development and related literacy activities for the home setting.

Beverley Brenna, PhD (University of Alberta), is a Professor in Curriculum Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. She has published over a dozen books for children as well as an academic book, Stories for Every Classroom (Canadian Scholars Press, 2015).

Richard Dionne, MA History (York University), has been an editor and publisher in the Canadian book publishing business for over twenty years. He lives in Scarborough, Ontario with his partner, Claire.

Theresa Tavares is an Interdisciplinary Studies MA student at the University of Saskatchewan. She has a professional background in publishing, working with children’s/YA literature in Brazil for a number of years.

"The diverse skills and experiences of this talented team have resulted in a most valuable book [...] The passion with which Brenna, Dionne, and Tavares have approached their work is obvious. They are to be commended on their achievement". Gregory Bryan, in Canadian Review of Materials, Vol. 28, Issue 25, March 2022.