Hi everyone and welcome to another entry in this series featuring recently read and recommended picture books! I had a slew of library holds come in, and, my goodness, what a treat. The round-up of picture books today is jam-packed with Canadian creators- almost ALL of the authors and illustrators are Canadian, which is pretty fabulous! There are also three books featuring gorgeous, tender stories involving grandparents- I love seeing and reading more picture books about inter-generational relationships. Happy reading to you all, there are truly exceptional titles here!

In no particular order, let’s dive right in: My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee, illustrated by Elaine Chen is a beautiful and thoughtful story about a young girl named May spending the day with her grandpa in his close knit, friendly community, who very happily discovers that she has a deeper bond and more in common with her grandpa than she initially thought; Mia and the Monsters: The Monsters Learn to Share (English Edition) by Neil Christopher, illustrated by Sigmundur Thorgeirsson is another entry in the boisterous and very sweet Mia and the Monsters series (from Inuit-owned, independent publishing company Inhabit Media) with a look at how Mia helps her monster friends learn all about the pleasure of sharing while preparing for a picnic; A Stopwatch from Grampa by Loretta Garbutt, illustrated by Carmen Mok is a gorgeously gentle and moving story about loss and grief, from the perspective of a young child, gifted the cherished stopwatch of their beloved grampa; I Talk Like A River by poet Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith is an award-winning standout, an unforgettable and hopeful story based Scott’s experiences growing up with a stutter and a life-altering moment in time with his father (do not miss the author’s note at the book’s end) ; and last but definitely not least we have Maud and Grand-Maud by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Kenard Pak, a wonderful, dreamy story featuring a young girl named Maud and her dear Grand-Maud, spotlighting their visits together as they discover happy surprises and what kinds of things young Maud imagines for her own future.