Great children’s stories come from all around the world with all different backgrounds! It’s always a great way to expand storytelling, bring new authors to your children’s bookshelves, and shed light on new lives!
Canada is home to a great collection of children’s book authors! Varying from writers to cartoonists to illustrators, these authors tell stories that will keep you laughing, keep you on the edge of your seat, and keep you and your child reading!
Kyo Maclear
A writer, educator, and editor-at-large, Kyo Maclear is an incredibly smart woman and a well-established writer. Her work has been published in Orion Magazine, Brick, Border Crossings, The Millions, LitHub, The Volta, Prefix Photo, Resilience, The Guardian, Lion’s Roar, Azure, and The Globe and Mail. Her writing for the children’s genre has been nominated for many awards and titles, including the Governor General’s Literary Award, the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.
Her children’s books explore Kyo’s own personal relationship with the world and her identity while bringing to life the deeply sweet childish appreciation for life. Her tales draw her young readers into a world largely familiar to them, one with magic and make-believe; friends and family; and great imagination!
The Wish Tree
Kumo: The Bashful Cloud
Hello, Rain!
Nadia L. Hohn
Nadia L. Hohn, much like her fellow Canadian writers on this list, is a writer and educator. Hohn also prides herself in her activism. This multi-talented writer has made it her mission to advocate for representation in children’s books and is making the change within her own work as well. Hohn has also won a series of awards for her writing, including Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) Writers’ Award, A Different Booklist People’s Award for Contribution in Children’s Literature, and SCBWI Canada East Rising Kite Award & Scholarship.
Hohn has used her appreciation for culture and knowledge of history to bring kids’ books into the world of nonfiction and fiction. Her writing, in unison with her education, has brought to life lessons essential to raising children in an accepting mindset.
Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter
Malaika’s Costume
The Antiracist Kitchen
Jael Richardson
Richardson is the daughter of former Canadian Football League quarterback Chuck Ealey. She has written about her relationship with the titles she holds in life and the life she’s lived in both her memoirs, The Stone Thrower: A Daughter’s Lesson, a Father’s Life, and Good Mom on Paper. Richardson’s writings reveal a great understanding of life and life’s lessons. She, in the courageous examinations of her own life, wishes to extend these lessons to the youth of the world.
In her children’s books, Richardson encourages confidence, self-esteem, and love in her children’s book. A truly incredible message and one that’s proving ever relevant and necessary, Richardson’s writing brings forth a hope that our children will see themselves for the amazing acts of nature they are.
Because You Are
Today I Am
Gutter Child: A Novel
Marianne Dubuc
Writer and illustrator, Marianne Dubuc, is a French-Canadian author who pens stories in her native French tongue. With a degree in graphic design, Dubuc’s stories are not only creatively written but excellently designed. Dubuc has achieved a great collection of acclimations, including titles such as the 2015 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, Children’s Literary Prize 2013, and the 2014 Governor General’s Awards.
Dubuc balances her love for writing and her passion for artistry throughout her career. Not only does Dubuc write children’s books to explore the magic of the world, but she also brings illustrations that reflect this child-like fantasy of the world. Her illustrations appear in her books and also as coloring pages for children!
Your House, My House
Bear and the Whisper of the Wind
1, 2, 3, Off to School!
Julie Flett
Julie Flett is a writer and illustrator. Her stories have received several awards, some titles being Governor General’s Awards, the American Indian Library Association Award, and the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award.
Flett’s work shows great interest and care in both the way child-like wonder expands the world around us and nature. Her work as both a writer and illustrator combined creates encompassing stories with lessons on living and loving the world we all share.
We All Play
Birdsong
Wild Berries
Jon Klassen
Like many of his peers on this list, Jon is an illustrator as well as a writer. The illustrator, cartoonist, and writer specializes in the creation of children’s stories with over a dozen published stories that he has either drawn or written. The creation of his lively stories and illustrations is drawn greatly by the talent that he’s exhibited at a series of art shows.
Klassen’s incredible ability to design illustrations that jump off the page is only better when partnered with his sharply penned stories. His books are widely adored by children everywhere and center on fun characters with great detail.
I Want My Hat Back
This Is Not My Hat
We Found A Hat
Linda Bailey
Linda Bailey has worn almost every hat. She was an educator, an editor, a travel agent, and finally a writer! In her portfolio of nearly 40 books, Bailey tells fun stories, life lesson stories, and wildly childish stories (in all the right ways). Her children’s books have been awarded over two dozen titles! These include titles such as Best Children’s Book of the Year, Best Books of 2018, and Best Non-fiction Books!
Bailey’s stories showcase her sharp wit and vast imagination. With so many picture books to her name, you’ve probably read her work and don’t realize it! The stories are deeply saturated in stunning feats of creativity that rival the minds of children and challenge her audience to think bigger!
If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
If Kids Ruled the World
Carson Crosses Canada
Cary Fagan
Cary Fagan is a writer of both picture books and children’s novels! His work has been critically acclaimed too — winning Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, the IODE Jean Throop Award, a Mr. Christie Silver Medal, and the Vine Award for Canadian Jewish Literature. He’s been praised for his humor and his great storytelling ability, all well deserved.
Fagan’s taken the time to continue the great world of storytelling, teaching children’s literature and storytelling at the University of Toronto.
Mort Ziff is Not Dead
Wolfie & Fly
Water, Water
Take some time to expand your library and find new voices, authors, and stories to read with your child or in your classroom!
Can’t get enough of these kids’ books? Bookstr has an article fit for you: 5 Doctors and Therapists Developing Unique Books for Children.
Bookstr is absolutely thrilled about these kids’ reads, check out the Bookshop to know more!
