2023 Silver Birch Express Award® Nominees
Grades 3-4, fiction, non-fiction
Alina in a Pinch
Written and Illustrated by Shenaaz Nanji
Published by Second Story Press
Moving to a new city means Alina has to make new friends, and nothing is worse than lunch at a new school. When her grandmother visits, Alina is inspired to help her cook the delicious Afro-Indian meals she’s always loved, but a cruel note from a mysterious lunchtime bully leaves a bitter taste that even Nani’s excellent cooking can’t erase.
With an audition for Junior Chef fast approaching and Nani’s wise lessons helping her, can Alina embrace her heritage and convince her classmates that being different is a good thing?
Bear in the Family
Written by Eric Walters and Illustrated by Olga Barinova
Published by Orca Book Publishers
Jasmin and Hunter did not expect to find an orphaned bear cub stuck in the neighbours’ well. Rescuing the tiny cub from the well was the easy part; now they need to care for it until the people from the bear-rescue sanctuary can make it safely through the fires to pick it up. The cub turns out to be exactly what one would expect of a wild animal―a huge handful!
Crimson Twill: Witch in the City
Written by Kallie George and Illustrated by Birgitta Sif
Published by Candlewick
Crimson Twill is a little witch, but you might not know it. She lives in the country and loves polka dots and puppies instead of pointy shoes and black dresses. She even wears a big bow on her hat—which is crimson, just like her name. Tonight, for the very first time, Crimson is riding on her mother’s broom all the way to New Wart City to go shopping at Broomingdale’s! The huge department store has everything a witch could itch for. For Crimson, each floor (hats! cats! brooms!) is a new adventure. But is Broomingdale’s ready for a witch as unique as Crimson?
Flipping Forward and Twisting Backward
Written by Alma Fullerton and Illustrated by Sarah Mensinga
Published by Peachtree
A diagnosis of dyslexia could change everything for an aspiring fifth-grade gymnast struggling at school in this authentic, high-energy novel in verse.
The gym is where Claire shines and she’s on her way to qualifying for the state championships. But at school, she’s known as a troublemaker—which is fine with her since it helps her hide her reading problem. Claire has never been able to make sense of the wobbling jumble of letters on a page.
When a sympathetic principal wonders if she’s acting out because she may have dyslexia, she’s stunned. Claire has always assumed she’s dumb, so she’s eager to get evaluated.
But her mother balks. Afraid Claire will be labelled “stupid,” she refuses testing. Can Claire take on both her reading challenges and her mother’s denial? Is it worth jeopardizing her dream of the state championships?
Kaleidoscope of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life: Their Colors and Patterns Explained
Written and Illustrated by Greer Stothers
Published by Wide Eyed Editions
What colours were the dinosaurs? Find out in this kaleidoscopic look at the technicolour world of dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasts as they may have looked.
A richly detailed and vibrantly illustrated natural history book, this fascinating read is bursting with colour and will show you dinosaurs like never before. Discover cutting-edge theories on feathered dinosaurs, the colourful secrets of the fossil record, and what million-year-old remains tell us about how extinct animals lived and looked. Paleo-artist and author Greer Stothers reimagines the dinosaurs and their prehistoric peers, using fossils and the examples of living species to bring this often misrepresented world to life.
- Could big dinosaurs have been gray like elephants?
- Would a snow-dwelling dino have been a brilliant white?
- What could mutant dinosaurs look like?
As well as the dinos, there’s also a section that takes a look at other extinct animals, shows how animals from the Ice Age may have looked, and explores how clues about long-dead creatures can be discovered from art by the prehistoric peoples who encountered them.
This is a beautifully illustrated first look at the kaleidoscopic world of dinosaurs and other creatures for young children, and makes a gorgeous gift for young paleontologists and art lovers alike.
Pink, Blue, and You! Questions for Kids about Gender Stereotypes
Written and Illustrated by Elise Gravel with Mykaell Blais
Published by Random House Children’s Books, Anne Schwartz Books
Simple, accessible, and direct, this picture book is perfect for kids and parents or teachers to read together, opening the door to conversations about gender stereotypes and everyone’s right to be their true selves.
Is it okay for boys to cry? Can girls be strong? Should girls and boys be given different toys to play with and different clothes to wear? Should we all feel free to love whoever we choose to love? In this incredibly kid-friendly and easy-to-grasp picture book, author-illustrator Elise Gravel and transgender collaborator Mykaell Blais raise these questions and others relating to gender roles, acceptance, and stereotyping.
With its simple language, colourful illustrations, engaging backmatter that showcases how “appropriate” male and female fashion has changed through history, and even a poster kids can hang on their wall, here is the ideal tool to help in conversations about a multi-layered and important topic.
The Strangest Thing in the Sea: And Other Curious Creatures of the Deep
Written by Rachel Poliquin and Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler
Published by Kids Can Press
A wonderfully weird book about the strangest creatures in the sea.
A feathery tutu dancing through the water? A tiptoeing rock wearing a wig? Not everything is as it seems in this fascinating exploration of bizarre sea animals. Each creature is introduced with intriguing art and text, and the question, “Am I the strangest thing in the sea?” Open the gatefold, and the actual creature in its habitat and a full description appear, along with the answer: No, it’s not the strangest thing in the sea. That is, until the last creature, which is the strangest. But what could it be?
What’s cooler than bizarre things that are real? Kids will want to dive right in!
Tâpwê and the Magic Hat
Written by Buffy Sainte-Marie and Illustrated by Buffy Sainte-Marie and Michelle Alynn Clement
Published by Greystone Kids
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?
This is What I’ve Been Told: Mii yi gaa-bi-wiindmaagooyaan
Written and Illustrated by Juliana Armstrong
Published by Medicine Wheel Education
It’s been said when teachings are passed down from one generation to the next, good things can happen. Language is learned, knowledge is shared and culture is practiced. In this story of language preservation, author/illustrator and Anishnaabemowin language teacher Juliana Armstrong illuminates a number of Anishnaabemowin words along with their cultural connections, passed down from her Ojibway ancestors. Knowing our culture means knowing who we are. When we know who we are, we can walk in a good way.
Who’s Looking? How Animals See the World
Written by Carol Matas and Illustrated by Cornelia Li
Published by Orca Book Publishers
How do animals see the world? It turns out, very differently.
In this nonfiction picture book, a young girl and her baby sister’s outdoor adventure (hiking through the forest, picnicking in the grass and swimming in the ocean) is overseen by the local fauna. The way those animals view the girls is very different from how the girls see each other. Goats see far and wide in a panorama, whales don’t see colour the way humans do and a high-soaring eagle’s sharp vision can clearly see a tiny mouse far below. Through clever illustrations and scientific prose, we are reminded that while we may see things differently, we all share this life together on planet Earth.
