Beverley Brenna

Taylor Jane Simon, an eighteen-year-old girl with Asperger's Syndrome, travels to France, as she struggles to become independent of her controlling mother and meets a new mentor.

The White Bicycle

When Taylor's mother offers to work in her boyfriend's restaurant one summer, it presents a lot of problems for Taylor--who has an autistic condition--as she is forced to move to a new place, explore on her own, and try to make friends.

Wild Orchid

Eleven-year-old Billy Ray, whose alcoholic father has suddenly disappeared, and his schoolmate, Natasha, an adopted Romanian girl, find solace in each others strength and courage as each reaches for their dreams. Original.

The Moon Children

It’s not every day you encounter a hamster experiencing an existential crisis, but Sapphire has spent her short pet-store life convinced that she’s waiting for…something. At first she thinks it’s to be FREE, but it may be possible that life has a greater purpose in store—a purpose Sapphire will discover thanks to a nine-year-old girl whose family is changing in ways she doesn’t quite understand. Jeannie’s dad has moved out, her mom is always tired and snappish, and her older brother just wants to play video games in his room all day. Jeannie doesn’t understand what’s going on, but she knows one thing: she really, REALLY wants a hamster. Her mom promised she could buy one with her Christmas money, but it’s been WEEKS since the holidays and Jeannie’s beginning to worry she’ll never get her pet. But maybe if she does, her dad will come to visit. Maybe a hamster will make everything better. Narrated by Jeannie and Sapphire in alternating chapters, Sapphire the Great and the Meaning of Life is a touching middle-grade novel by award-winning author Beverley Brenna that explores themes of family, friendship, togetherness, and self-identity. With a cast that includes a transgender neighbor, a father finally accepting his homosexuality, and a realistic protagonist who will appeal to fans of Ramona Quimby, Brenna’s latest offering is an age-appropriate introduction to some difficult subjects that also abounds with humor and poignancy.

Sapphire the Great and the Meaning of Life

"A twelve-year-old in a small town faces bullying, must overcome loss to suicide, in this inspirational illustrated story of hope which includes a mysterious magical fox that helps the strong female character find courage in the power of dreams."--

Fox Magic

Collects poems about the Bug House Family Restaurant, where they serve up an assortment of creepy crawlers prepared by the most imaginative chefs.

The Bug House Family Restaurant

Taylor Jane Simon, an eighteen-year-old girl with Asperger's Syndrome, struggles for independence and self-control as she deals with the effects of the illness on her daily life.

Waiting for No One

Richard Dionne

Theresa Tavares

"This is an enriched reference guide for picture books published by Canadian houses between 2017-2019. Chapters cover a brief history of picture books, key themes in contemporary Canadian titles (matching broad curriculum outcomes in education), and response activities, including frameworks for critical literacy discussions, along with annotated bibliographies that specifically recognize titles by Indigenous authors and illustrators. Also included are original interviews with a dozen rising stars in Canadian writing and illustration. While the book is specifically geared for educators, it also supports public libraries, research in Education, and future picture book creation as well as families who are interested in supporting reading development and related literacy activities in the home setting"--

A Critical Review for Educators, Librarians, Families, Researchers & Writers

Contemporary Canadian Picture Books

A "daddy longlegs" harvester explores its environment in the back yard of a house.

Beverley Brenna

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