Mouse’s First Day of School. Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Buket Erdogan, $9.99 (ages 3-5)

Sparky — He Is Our Pet. Sherry Ramrattan Smith & Benjamin Eric Smith, $14.95

Learn about the routines and responsibilities of raising pets — and how having a pet can teach us about kindness and love.

Jeremy Draws a Monster. Peter McCarty, $18.99

Jeremy draws a monster… but he doesn’t expect it to get hungry! Or bored! Jeremy’s  monster turns into a monster of a problem. Will it ever leave?

Deron Goes to Nursery School. Ifeoma Onyefulu, $21.95

Deron has a lovely time doing all kinds of new things and makes some friends on his first day at nursery school.

Stella, Fairy of the Forest. Marie-Louise Gay, $7.95

Stella and her little brother Sam venture across the meadow and into the forest, in search of fairies and adventure.

Hurry Up and Slow Down.  Layn Marlow, $18.95 (ages 4-6)

Hare is always raring to go. He races through the day while Tortoise does his best to keep up. But when it’s time for his bedtime story, Hare is no longer in such a hurry. After all — some things just shouldn’t be rushed!

Kiki’s Blankie. Janie Bynum, $19.50

Kiki adores her blankie — she never goes anywhere without it. But when a wind blows her blankie away, Kiki must figure out how to get it back!

Me and You. Geneviève Côté, $16.95

Two very different friends explore what it would be like to be like each other … and discover that they are both just perfect the way they are!

K is for Kissing a Cool Kangaroo. Giles Andreae & Guy Parker-Rees, $8.99

This delightful ABC book has everything from gentle giants and lovely lions to peaceful piglets and tea-drinking tigers.

So Many Days. Alison McGhee, $18.99

Life’s road is full of surprises. So Many Days reminds us to notice joy and love along the way.

ARCTIC A to Z. Wayne Lynch, $7.95

Each page of this beautiful book tells the story of a different plant, animal or natural wonder found in the arctic — one for each letter of the alphabet.

I Call My Grandma Nana. Ashley Wolff, $19.99

I Call My Grandpa Papa. Ashley Wolff, $19.99

Abuelo. Abuelito. Awoway. Dadu. Opa. Lolo. Nonna. MeMaw. What do you call YOUR grandparents?

Knick Knack Paddy Whack. Christine Engel, $8.99 (ages 4-7)

This sparkling version of the traditional folk song, "This Old Man," features a parade of children from different cultures, each of them playing a different musical instrument. This simple counting theme and repetitive text introduces the instrument families and musical scoring.

My Two Grannies. Floella Benjamin, illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain, $10.95

Alvina has two grannies she loves with all her heart. So when her parents go on vacation, Alvina can’t wait for her two grannies to take care of her. But the two grandmothers like difference food, music and stories — and they are competing for Alvina’s affection! Can clever Alvina think of a way to help her two grannies to get along?

Goodnight Sweet Pig. Linda Bailey & Josée Masse, $7.95

Sleep doesn’t come easily for sweet little pig number one, until the other little pigs help her count her way down to a sleepy good-night!

Bringing Down the Moon. Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Vanessa Cabban, $7.50

Mole thinks the moon is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen — and he wants it. But some things are not as simple as they look!

Thing-Thing. Cary Fagan, illustrated by Nicolas Debon, $20.99

Thing-Thing is a stuffed animal in search of a good home and he finds it — but what an adventure he has along the way!

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. Virginia Lee Burton, $10.99

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel has been read to generations of children. Delighted by the inseparable duo and their friendship, children continue to love this classic story of ingenuity and hard work.

Augustine. Mélanie Watt, $7.95

Moving from the South Pole to the North Pole isn’t easy for the young penguin Augustine. She misses her friends, her grandma and grandpa and her old bedroom. But with the help of a few colored pencils and some inspiration from Picasso, this shy, artistic young penguin discovers a way to break the ice with her classmates and feel at home on the other end of the world.

Augustine’s “penguinized” versions of van Gogh, Munch, Picasso and others are a delightful way to introduce children to art. A clever, charming story told from a penguin’s eye view, in a language everyone understands.

The Little Princess loved getting her hands dirty, but she hated washing them. Then she heard about all the nasty germs that might be on her hands after playing in the dirt, using the potty, sneezing and playing with her dog. Now she has just one question for everyone else — “Have you washed your hands?”

Mixed Beasts: Or, a Miscellany of Rare and Fantastic Creatures. Illustrated by Wallace Edwards, verses by Kenyon Cox, $19.95

In these pages lurk bizarre beasts, such as the Bumblebeaver and the Rhinocerostrich, depicted in their natural environment. Readers possessing a sharp eye and an inquisitive nature will be rewarded with exotic flora and fauna hidden in each remarkable painting. So delay not, seekers of the strange and undiscovered. Step into the world of Mixed Beasts!

Hey, Daddy! Animal Fathers and Their Babies. Marg Batten, illustrated by Higgins Bond, $23.95

In this new natural science book for children, award-winning writer Mary Batten offers a fascinating and entertaining look at paternal behavior in the animal world.

My Dad. Anthony Browne, $6.95

Silly, fun and full of love, My Dad is a great book for sons and daughters and especially for dads!

It's morning and the first rays of sunlight shine into a little girl's bedroom and wake her up. She gets out of bed, goes to wake her parents and soon she is ready to start her day…

It's nearly bedtime and a little girl eats her dinner, then plays in the bath and says goodnight to her dollies. But she's not quite ready to go to sleep yet…

Victoria’s Day. Maria de Fatima Campos, $22.00

Four-year-old Victoria is going to school, playing with friends, dancing at ballet class, helping Mummy with dinner and reading a story … This is a day in the life of Victoria, a young girl with Down syndrome.

33 Uses for a Dad. Harriet Ziefert & Amanda Haley, $14.95

Dads are terrific and these are just a few of the reasons why. Count all 33 and then add some of your own!

The Complete Adventures of the Mole Sisters: Ten Stories. Roslyn Schwartz, $19.95

"The irrepressible Mole Sisters turn any situation into pure fun. From their moonlit nights to their rainy days, rediscover the irresistible enthusiasm of this lovable pair in this complete collection of all ten Mole Sisters tales."

Olivia is a pig with attitude! Follow Olivia through her day, as she dresses up, dances, sings, paints on walls and takes a nap - sort of. Her exuberance is contagious. The illustrations are delightful and the story will leave everyone laughing. Also in board book format, $11.99.

Olivia remembers her trip to the circus very well…because all the performers were sick so she had to do everything herself!

"One day, Olivia was riding a camel in Egypt…" So begins the latest adventure of that most wonderful, imaginative pig, Olivia.

A Duck in New York. Story and Songs by Connie Kaldor, $24.99

Connie Kaldor's delightful storybook and CD with original lyrics and French translations just picked up a Juno award!

A Treasure in My Garden: Stories and Songs by Gilles Vigneault. Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch, $24.99

Now available in English, this award-winning collection of extraordinary tales, unforgettable melodies, catchy nursery rhymes and goodnight stories by renowned poet-songwriter Gilles Vigneault features 13 animated video clips on DVD and a 36-page hardcover storybook.

Four Special Questions: a Passover Story. Jonny Zucker & Jan Barger Cohen, $8.50

Here is a simple and delightful introduction to the Jewish festival of Passover, suitable for even the youngest children. Follow a family as they prepare for and celebrate their festival of freedom.

Also available in this series: Apples and Honey: a Rosh Hashanah Story; Eight Candles to Light: a Chanukah Story and It’s Party Time! A Purim Story. $9.50 each.

Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: a Cookbook for Preschoolers & Up. Mollie Katzen, $22.00

From the author of the bestselling Moosewood Cookbook, this beautiful book illustrated with Mollie Katzen's own whimsical watercolours not only teaches young children how to cook, but inspires an early appreciation for creative, wholesome food. Perfect fun that can help encourage counting skills, reading and science knowledge as well as self-confidence, patience and food literacy.

From snacks to Sunday brunch, these step-by-step recipes are sure to please and give kids eight and up a chance to start cooking.

This Is Me and Where I Am. Joanne Fitzgerald, $10.95

Children from preschool through grade one relish the discovery of their place in the world. Learning the number on their home, the street where they live, the town or city they call home is a comforting reminder to children that they belong.

Lola Loves Stories. Anna McQuinn & Rosalind Beardshaw, $8.95

Lola and her Daddy love to go to the library together. Each night Lola reads a story and the next she acts it out. Lola becomes a fairy princess, a pilot, a farmer and a tiger!

Chicken, Pig, Cow and the Purple Problem.  Ruth Ohi, $6.95 (ages 4-6)

Who ever heard of a purple cow? Fed up with being different, Cow sets of to change how she looks.

My Mother’s Sari. Sandhya Rao, illustrated by Nina Sabnani, $7.95

A young child’s connection to her mother is observed through the colors and textures of her mother’s saris.

Brothers: Best Friends Growing Up. Sherry Ramrattan Smith & Benjamin Eric Smith, $14.95

Two brothers invite you to share their adventures of growing up together.

Ella’s Umbrellas. Jennifer Lloyd, illustrated by Ashley Spires, $18.95

Ella loves umbrellas, but she has too many! Does her mom really expect her to give them away?

All Things Bright and Beautiful. Ashley Bryan, $21.99

Colorful hand-cut illustrations make this classic come alive.

When Mommy Travels. Emily Bolam, $6.95

Lift the flaps to find out how Lily and George count the days until Mommy comes home. They miss her very much but know she will be back soon.

Together. Hazel Hutchins, Art by Alice Priestley, $8.95

What keeps your feet from dancing out of your shoes? Find out in this colourful book that explores everyday life.

Five Little Penguins Slipping On the Ice. Steve Metzger, illustrated by Laura Bryant, $7.99 (ages 3-5)

How much fun can five little penguins have on a winter day? Find out!

Shades of People.  Shelley Rotner & Sheila Kelly, $21.50

If this book doesn’t make you smile, you may need to have your grumpy gene removed! Dozens of happy faces greet you on these pages of kids photographed doing what kids do best — playing around. Kids of all shades, shapes and sizes reach out from these pages and put a smile on every reader’s face.

Snowy Sports Ready, Set Play! Per-Henrik Gürth, $14.95

Bundle up for winter fun!

On My Very First School Day I Met.... Norman Styles, illustrated by Bill Mayer, $11.95 (ages 3 to 6)

The characters in this book will have kids looking forward to the first day of school!

If You’re Happy and You Know It! Anna McQuinn & Sophie Fatus, $24.99 (ages 4-7)

In this multicultural version of the traditional song, children from cultures all over the world clap their hands, stomp their feet, pat their heads and much more. The accompanying sing-a-long CD continues the interactive fun!

When Stella Was Very, Very Small. Marie-Louise Gay, $18.95

Marie-Louise Gay has gone back in time to answer the questions often asked by the children who read and love her Stella books. Although she didn’t know what she would find when she started to explore Stella’s early years, Marie-Louise Gay soon realized that when Stella was very, very small, she saw the world in her own unique way — with wonder, curiosity and magic.

Curious Kids Go to Preschool. Ingrid Goldman, $18.95

Wonderful and fun pictures help illustrate an exciting day at preschool.

Shoe Shakes. Loris Lesynski, illustrated by Michael Martchenko, $9.95

Funny and melodious poems that will have kids and grownups reading — and laughing — out loud.

Bearcub and Mama. Sharon Jennings, illustrated by Mélanie Watt, $6.95 (preschool age)

“Told in simple, evocative language and illustrated in rich, luminous colors, Bearcub and Mama is a reassuring story about growing up and the powerful bond between mother and child.”

The joy and energy of movement can be seen in these lovely pages showing kids and adults running, walking, climbing, jumping, swimming and more!

When little Roo wakes up, he just feels grumpy!

Un Deux Trois takes young children on a fun-filled journey in French. With a host of delightful children, animals and birds illustrating the simple rhymes and songs, this introduction to hearing and speaking French will delight parents and children alike.

My First Book of Tagalog Words: Filipino Rhymes and Verses. Liana Romolo & Jaime Laurel, $15.95

Bold and bright illustrations accompany this fun rhyming ABC book.

Mommy in My Pocket. Carol Hunt Senderak, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata, $17.99

What happens when one little girl is too nervous about leaving her mom on the first day of school? She imagines a day with her mommy in her pocket. Told in sweet couplets, this story assures young ones that although they may be heading out on their own, Mommy’s love is with them always.

This delightful picture books helps children understand that even though being honest can be hard sometimes, it is worth it.

Ten Small Tales: Stories from Around the World. Celia Barker Lottridge & Joanne Fitzgerald, $12.95

Accompanied by the gentle and appealing watercolours of award-winning illustrator Joanne Fitzgerald, these tales are truly small gems, told with spirit and humour by one of Canada's foremost storytellers, Celia Barker Lottridge.

It’s My Turn! Heather Maisner, illustrated by Kristina Stephenson, $4.50

There’s a play tent in the backyard and both Amy and Ben want to use it with their friends. But instead of playing together they end up arguing. Sometimes learning to share can be hard!

If You Were My Baby: a Wildlife Lullaby. Fran Hodgkins, $13.95

If You Were My Baby celebrates the care that exists between parents of offspring of many species. A lovely bedtime book for toddlers and preschoolers.

Big Al and Shrimpy. Andrew Clements Yoshi, $10.50

Poor Shrimpy! He may be the smartest fish in the sea, but he's also the smallest. Who would want to be friends with such a teeny, tiny fish? Big Al, that's who!

Oscar's Half Birthday. Bob Graham, $23.99

Oscar is six months old — time for a half-birthday party! Mom, Dad and big sister Millie pack a picnic and set out across the urban landscape to the 'half-country' — a city park … joyous celebration of family and community.

Giraffes Can't Dance. Giles Andrede & Guy Parker-Rees, $18.99

"With light-footed rhymes and high-stepping illustrations, this tale is gentle inspiration for every child with dreams of greatness."

Homemade Love. bell hooks, illustrated by Shane Evans, $23.99

"Always loved, Girlpie is the sweet, sweet centre of her parents' heart."

I Will Never NOT EVER Eat a Tomato. Lauren Child, $7.50

Lola is a fussy eater. A very fussy eater. She won't eat her carrots (until her brother Charlie reveals that they're orange twiglets from Jupiter). She won't eat her mashed potatoes (until Charlie explains that they're cloud fluff from the pointiest peak of Mount Fuji). There are many things Lola won't eat, including - and especially - tomatoes. Or will she?

I Am NOT Sleepy and I Will NOT Go to Bed. Lauren Child, $7.50

Night owl Lola likes to stay up coloring and scribbling and wriggling and bouncing and chattering. Lola never gets tired. How can big brother Charlie convince her it's time for bed?

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School. Lauren Child, $9.99

"I am absolutely not big, I am really still quite small … and I do not have time to go to school. I am extremely busy doing important things at home." So says young Lola, when faced with the prospect of starting school.

My Friend the Doctor. Joanna Cole, $8.99

Illustrated by Maxie Chambliss