
Stories That Spark Imagination

Family Day weekend is the perfect time to slow down, snuggle up, and dive into stories that spark imagination, laughter, and conversation. This year’s crop of new kids’ books offers something for every young reader — from heart-warming tales about friendship and belonging to laugh-out-loud adventures that’ll keep little ones turning pages long past bedtime.

Fantastic Frog and the Amazing Tad Lad
by Brandon Reese (February 3, 2026)
The explosive first book in a new middle-grade graphic novel series featuring two heroic but dim-witted frog superheroes, for fans of InvestiGators and Dog Man! The contaminated swamp where Dr. Kim conducts experiments is overrun with mutants and evil machines like the Hater Gator and the Robot Trash Dolls. That’s why she tinkered with amphibian genes to create superheroes Fantastic Frog and sidekick Tad Lad. In their first adventure, the frogs leap forth to battle the scaly swamp thing terrorizing Sector One. A gross-out, hilarious comic series that takes a few notes from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Learn more and order your copy here
Unstoppable Us, Volume 3: How Enemies Become Friends
by Yuval Noah Harari, Illustrated by Ricard Zaplana Ruiz
In the third book in the New York Times bestselling series from Yuval Noah Harari, explore how different ancient civilizations united and created countries and cultures we have today! How do you become friends with your enemies? More than 2,000 years ago, humans collaborated, exchanged stories, and married those from different lands. New cities and cultures were formed, and languages and religions were shared. But sometimes our differences become bigger than the things that unite us, turning us from neighbors to enemies. From exchanging food and traveling across oceans to building empires and developing religions, prepare to explore how early civilizations interacted with each other and shaped the way we are today. The text is companied by a map, timeline, and full-color illustrations, bringing this amazing story of our past to life.


Oh Brother: A Graphic Memoir
by Georgina Chadderton (February 10, 2026)
Every kid is shaped by their family — but not every kid has a brother like Rob. In this bright and thoughtful middle-grade graphic memoir, debut Australian cartoonist Gina Chadderton examines the fun and difficult parts of growing up alongside their autistic and nonverbal brother. As a nonverbal autistic boy with an intellectual disability, Rob doesn’t communicate his thoughts and feelings like most people do. Despite the difficulties that come with that, the Chadderton family has never failed to show each other kindness and love. But as Gina begins to grapple with her own growing body, she struggles with how hard it is to take care of her brother while also taking care of herself. Compassionate, informative and emotionally nuanced, Oh Brother is a heartfelt story about the good days and bad days that come with growing up with someone who will always need help. But more than that, it’s about how you can fill even the most challenging of days with joy.
Learn more and order your copy here
PAWS: The Trouble with Leo (Book #5)
by Nathan Fairbairn and Michel Assarasakorn (March 3, 2026)
In the fifth book of this popular series about a tween pet-sitting club (by Canadian creators), the girls of PAWS have a bone to pick with a group of rival dog walkers. It’s been seven whole dog years of PAWS (or just one if you’re a human), and business is at an all-time high! But after a regrettable run-in with Gabby’s arch-nemesis, Leo, things take an unfortunate turn. It’s not long before the girls notice flyers advertising a new dog walking business, SCAMPS. Sure enough, Leo and friends Brandon and Nolawi are behind it. And when Gabby and Mindy take some not-so-righteous retribution on these PAWS copycats, what could just be a little healthy competition turns into an all-out turf war. But are PAWS on the right side of history in this battle?


A Deadly Inheritance
by Kelley Armstrong (March 24, 2026)
After discovering she’s an heiress to a billion-dollar corporation, seventeen-year-old Liliana finds herself at a new boarding school where she must navigate secret societies and a deadly competition. Not to mention two handsome boys. As she gets to know them all, Lili realizes there’s more to the school than elite-level networking. Something deadly. When a fun night out turns bloody, one of those handsome boys — Theo — becomes the prime suspect, and Liliana must race against time to connect the past with the present and discover the truth behind her inheritance.The Reappearance of Rachel Price meets The Inheritance Games series in this new YA thriller from bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.
Learn more and order your copy here
Fly in the Chai
by Zenia Wadhwani, Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat (March 24, 2026)
Who loves chai more? Nanu . . . or the pesky fly that lands in his fresh cup? A delightful picture book romp featuring an adorable grandfather and granddaughter, a lively group of marketgoers and one very memorable fly. On a trip to the market, Nanu gets a cup of chai. But before he can take a drink, his granddaughter stops him just in time. STOP! There’s a FLY in that chai! Thus begins an epic battle between Nanu and the fly: who loves chai more?


Music of the Bells
by Anitha Rao-Robinson and Chaaya Prabhat (March 17, 2026)
Neela once danced Kathak in India, where every step told a story and her anklets sang with joy. Now she twirls through ballet class in a new country, loving the grace but missing the rhythm of home. This lyrical picture book celebrates the beauty of movement, memory, and finding your voice across cultures. A perfect pick for fans of Finding My Dance and Bunheads.
Moneybunny: How Do You Earn?
by Cinders McLeod (January 27, 2026)
Toonie’s got a plan: paint, sell, and earn carrots the currency of Bunnyland! With a splash of colour and a whole lot of hustle, he turns his passion into profit. Along the way, little readers learn about addition, subtraction, and the basics of earning money. A cheerful tale for budding artists and mini mathematicians alike!


Canada: We Are the Story
by Richard Wagamese, Illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (March 17, 2026)
A poem by acclaimed Ojibway author Richard Wagamese is reimagined as a stunning picture book in the skilled hands of Anishinaabe artist Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, in one of the first books on the Swift Water Books imprint An Indigenous child struggles with a school assignment that asks, “What makes you proud to be Canadian?” To find the answer, they call on the strength of their ancestors. As the poem speaks to a new generation of Indigenous children, it welcomes everyone to honour the past, find belonging here and now, and look toward the future in this place now called Canada.
The Future Book
by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris (March 3, 2026)
A ridiculous, innovative picture book from two of the best contemporary picture book creators, it tells kids all about the future, like the colour blorange, and how “goodbye” has been replaced by the phrase, “You smell like a baby!” Learn all this and more tips to blend in when you next visit The Future.


From cozy bedtime reads to stories that spark big questions and even bigger imaginations, these new releases are more than just books — they’re invitations to connect, laugh, learn, and slow down together. However you choose to spend your Family Day weekend, let these stories be part of the moments that matter most: the cuddles on the couch, the giggles before bedtime, and the quiet magic of sharing a great story as a family.























































