Mother’s moods fluctuate like a kite in the wind
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In My Mom is Like a Kite by Lisl H. Detlefsen (Groundwood, 32 pages, hardcover, $22), a little girl navigates life with a mother whose moods soar like a kite, blow with the wind or drown in water.
The child naturally takes on the burden of a caregiver, as most children in the target audience, ages 3-6, would. But the wise mom takes her daughter to a therapist who uses kid-appropriate techniques to show the little girl that her job is just to be a kid.
The accompanying, softly-hued illustrations by Nathalie Dion show the winds swirling and twirling, just like mom’s unpredictable moods.
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Parents and children aged 2-7 will enjoy curling up together to read Before You Came by Montreal writer Anne Renaud (Peanut Butter Press, 28 pages, hardcover, $18).
This gentle story recalls the anticipation, wonder and worry a parent experiences as they wait for the birth of their baby, and the emotions that surge when it’s finally born.
Prolific artist Nahid Kazemi, also a Montrealer, paints imaginative interpretations of Renaud’s poetic text: “Before you came, I feared you might not find me, But you did.” Children will feel secure and inspired when they are assured a parent will fight armies for them. Now that is love.
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Published in September 2025, Dinos that Drive: Poems by Suzy Levinson (Tundra, 40 pages, hardcover $25) will have youngsters ages 3-7 bouncing on their beds as they vroom and boom along with these zippy (and very modern) dinosaurs: “Troodin’s new smart car/is proof that she’s no fool./Hello electricity…/SEE YA, FOSSIL FUEL!”
Dustin Harbin’s busy illustrations, reminiscent of the late Richard Scarry’s style, will keep kids’ eyes glued to the pages.
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A little girl gets a lesson of culture and history in Grandma, Cho Cho and Me by Morgan Christie (Groundwood, 32 pages, hardcover, $22).
The story provides enrichment on top of learning how to cook as the girl and her grandmother make a traditional Jamaican breakfast for their family — recreating in the diaspora what they ate back home.
While they cook, Grandma talks about the plants she gathered outside her door when she was small, and how economical cooking techniques stretched their food budget.
Children ages 3-6 will enjoy the illustrations by Paulica Santos that recall the bright colours of the islands.
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Last Year with Maddy (Yellow Dog, 156 pages, softcover, $20) by Anna Rosner is a tender exploration of mental health issues for middle years children ages 9-12.
With the encouragement of her mother, 12-year-old Aviva begins to write about the previous year and what led to the unravelling of her ever-so-tight life-bonded relationship with her best friend, Maddy. As Aviva teases out what happened and looks for someone to blame, she documents significant, life-changing events that should have pulled the two girls together.
In retrospect, Aviva realizes that some events and outcomes were beyond their control. The story explores family issues and how kids navigate the ups and downs of middle school.
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The Butterfly’s Sting by Abbie Harlow (Groundwood, 352 pages, softcover, $19) finds Bo and her two younger siblings living with an abusive uncle after their dad dies and their depressed mom disappears.
Bo takes up boxing in illegal fights to win enough money to move out and support the younger kids. As she advances up the tournament ranks, the money and the complications build. Should she keep fighting on her own, or accept the support of a boy who has his own struggles?
A gripping climax shocks Bo into realizing what she could become — it all depends on her choices. A gritty, compelling book for kids aged 12 and up.
Harriet Zaidman is an award-winning writer for young people. Her historical novels recall significant events in Canadian history as they affected young people.
