Linda Ludke

The Q&Q team reached out to authors, booksellers, librarians, and reviewers across the country to find their notable books of 2025. Click here for highlights from the year’s books for kids ranging from picture books to YA novels. https://bit.ly/4oFFdA9

On the cover of the picture book The One About the Blackbird by Melanie Florence and illustrated by Matt James, a grandfather stands beside his grandson who is holding a guitar.

The One About the Blackbird by Melanie Florence, illus Matt James published by Tundra Books is a tender #picturebook about the power of music to evoke memories. It's my Librarian's Pick #bookreview in the latest @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social newsletter: tinyurl.com/yefcjbmz #KidLit #CanKidLit 📚👍

On the cover of the picture book It Began with a Buzz by Shiva Delsooz, a young girl holds her ears in her hands and has a frown on her face.

In It Began With a Buzz by @shivadelsoozart.bsky.social a girl struggling with tinnitus finds a way to cope. This relatable #picturebook sings with emotional resonance in high fidelity. Here's my ⭐@quillandquire.bsky.social #bookreview: tinyurl.com/464j4yjh #KidLit #CanKitLit @owlkids.bsky.social 📚👍

The cover of the picture book This Land is a Lullaby by Tonya Simpson, illustrated by Delreé Dumont shows an Indigenous mother holding her newborn child in her arms outside on the Plains.

This Land is a Lullaby by Tonya Simpson illus Delreé Dumont won the GG Award!! Hooray! This eloquent picture book honors the enduring relationship between a child, their ancestors and the land. Here’s my ⭐Booklist #bookreview: tinyurl.com/y56dbsh8 #KidLit #CanKidLit 📚👍 @orcabook.bsky.social

Book Review: The Tortoise’s Tale by Kendra Coulter : EcoLit Books Years ago, when I was in the Galápagos Islands, a fellow traveler asked how long tortoises live. Our guide’s answer was: “We don’t know.” No human has yet lived long ... Read more

I’m so happy to see @drkendracoulter.bsky.social ’s novel THE TORTOISE’S TALE out in the world today! Don’t miss this incredible new novel. #booksky #pubday

ecolitbooks.com/2025/11/04/b...

Dear Elise, Mini-Me wants to make you a cassette mixtape to express appreciation for all you do!

The cover of True Colors: Growing up Weird in the 90s by Elise Gravel resembles a page from a lined notebook. A dark haired teen is sitting on the floor writing in her journal surrounded by a skateboard, board games, telephone and books.

True Colors by @elisegravel.bsky.social trans. Montana Kane is a totally tubular time capsule of growing up in the early 1990s filled with colourful hobbies, true-blue friends and undiagnosed ADHD. Here’s my ⭐ @quillandquire.bsky.social #bookreview: bit.ly/46biqGm 📚👍 #KidLit @dandq.bsky.social

I see new things in the illustrations every time I look!

Thank you so much, Debbie! Thank you for all you do! I'm looking forward to reading I'm Busy in February - woohoo!

Cover image of the picture book Head Full of Clouds by Joanne Schwartz and illustrated by Afsaneh Sanei shows a red headed girl's reflection in a sidewalk rain puddle.

In a Head Full of Clouds by Joanne Schwartz illus. Afsaneh Sanei, a girl wakes up from a dream she can't shake. This unique dream of a #picturebook is grounded in solid storytelling with surreal surprises. Here's my ⭐Booklist #bookreview: www.booklistonline.com/products/980... #KidLit #CanKidLit

The cover image of the picture book Ellie Has a Secret shows a young girl looking up at a huge dragon-like entity with long spiked horn on its nose.

In Amelia Bothe's arresting picture-book debut, a young girl grapples with guilt over surreptitiously taking something that isn't hers. Here's my ⭐ Booklist review: www.booklistonline.com/products/981... #KidLit

Our appreciation to @quillandquire.bsky.social for covering this important news and sharing our statement.

quillandquire.com/omni/ccbc-ca...

Cover image of the picture book I Would Give You My Tail written by Tanya Tagaq, illustrated by Qavavau Manumie, shows a young Inuk boy holding his baby sibling.

I Would Give You My Tail by @tanyatagaq.bsky.social illus Qavavau Manumie is an exquisite mediation on gratitude, kindness and kinship. Here's my ⭐Booklist #bookreview: www.booklistonline.com/products/980... #CanKidLit #KidLit

Nick Panaseiko, legendary music producer, stands on the left. Bob Klanac stands on the right with his arm around Nick's shoulders. Record album cover art adorns the wall behind them.

Rest in peace, dear Nick. Legendary music promoter Nick Panaseiko's profound impact on the music scene will not be forgotten. Read about Nick's storied life and career in Promo Man: Backstage Tales from the Vinyl Jungle by Bob Klanac.

RIP Bill Exley, vocalist for the Nihilist Spasm Band, a proud Canadian institution founded in 1965 that was weirder then than anyone else would ever be.
Here's a scanned page from an article I did for Shindig in 2010 talking about them and other Canadian musical innovators and iconoclasts.

What about Me? :The Rise of the Nihilist Spasm Band (HD) YouTube video by Mark Favro

RIP/P, Bill Exley #NihilistSpasmBand

Maybe a Mix-and-Match book?

A woman wearing a sweater with pictures of sea otters is holding a copy of the picture book Odder: An Otter's Story by Katerine Applegate and illustrated by Charles Santoso.

I wear my love for Odder by @kaaauthor.bsky.social illus @charlessantoso.bsky.social on my sleeve. This lyrical, heartfelt #picturebook is inspired by the real-life Monterey Bay Aquarium rehabilitation program that pairs orphaned otter pups. #kidlit @mackidsbooks.bsky.social

The curators Zahra McDoom and Amber Lloydlangston put so much love and care into the exhibit! Over 30 community participants telling their truth through what they wear.

A museum display showing a bird patterned 1940's vintage dress on a dress form. In a display box beside the dress is the picture book Once, A Bird by Rina Singh. On the wall behind the display, a photograph by Larry Towell showing a woman and a young child in a pick up truck.

Museum London's exhibition Fashion: Grit, Glamour and Guts, on until Nov 2, explores fashion as storytelling. I'm tickled pink to be a contributor. My love of vintage clothing is matched by my love of children's books; both are well-crafted and artfully designed. #KidLit #CanKidLit

Rudy Sparkuhl works on a painting in his studio, surrounded by art supplies.

A vintage film strip showing a photo of young Rudy and his family standing beside their car.showing, and images of Rudy Sparkuhl in his studio painting.

Rudy Sparkuhl and his parents sit outside at a patio table, squinting in the sun.

Film strips show images of Rudy Sparkuhl painting in his studio.

Some gifts last a lifetime. Others last even longer. Long-time Library patron and artist Rudy Sparkuhl spent countless happy hours immersed in books and ideas. Now, his extraordinary $500,000 gift will help shape the Library’s future for generations to come.
📖 Read Rudy’s story: buff.ly/trr3V0g

“Equal parts comedy and conservation lesson, this high-seas adventure is propelled forward by multiple Eisner Award–winning cartoonist Kate Beaton’s signature satiric wit.” Beaton's new picture book Shark Girl -Q&Q feature review @lindamludke.bsky.social this week. #kidlit #CANkidlit bit.ly/3F6oogO

Shark Girl by @katebeaton.bsky.social is a Little Mermaid-esque tale turned on its fin and delivers a biting commentary on exploitation of workers and the environment. Here's my ⭐ @quillandquire.bsky.social #bookreview: quillandquire.com/review/shark... #kidlit #CANkidlit

Cover of the picture book Rock, written by Laurel Croza and illustrated by Matt James, shows a big rock on a sandy beach. A child is in the distance and a seagull is flying nearby.

Pick up Rock by Laurel Croza, illustrated by Matt James. It's a moving, meaningful, rock-solid #picturebook to embrace.
Here's my ⭐Booklist #bookreview: www.booklistonline.com/products/980... @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social #kidlit #CANkidlit

A woman wearing a knitted sweater with a squirrel pattern is holding the picture book Squirrel-ish by Bambi Edlund.

When I'm feeling Squirrel-ish, I pick up this delightful #picturebook by Bambi Edlund. Rats! Is the grass greener on the other side of the park? @owlkids.bsky.social #kidlit #CANkidlit

🏝️For all who won't be able to make it to the Reception & signing, we've opened signed pre-orders for any Jon Klassen art prints & the Your Places series (until 02.16)

☀️ gallerynucleus.com/artists/jon_...

#jonklassen #picturebook #kidsbooks #kidlit #booklover #yourplaces #childrenslit

Yay! Great news today - Mother Aspen (w/b Annette Lebox, pics by me) is nominated for a Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award. 🥰 💜 This is an award for the illustrations specifically, so I'm doubly honoured!

#kidlit #kidlitart #illustration
@groundwoodbooks.bsky.social @jemiscoe.bsky.social

A photo of the book Rock propped open on a stool. The book is open to a spread showing a seagull poking at a rock with its beak. A real rock is in front of the rock illustration.

📚ROCK by Laurel Croza and illustrated by Matt James publishes next week! Learn more about the book: https://houseofanansi.com/products/rock?_pos=1&_sid=3b70db2cc&_ss=r

Cover of the picture book The Eidi Bag by Shazia Afzal and illustrated by Shiva Delsooz shows a young girl smiling and looking at her embroidered Eidi bag.

The Eidi Bag by Shazia Afzal, illus @shivadelsoozart.bsky.social offers many gifts to readers. It's my Librarian's Pick #bookreview in @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social's latest newsletter: bookcentre.ca/blogs/newsle... @owlkids.bsky.social #kidlit #CANkidlit #picturebook

Are picture books undervalued? This new ambassador of children's literature thinks so The Library of Congress has given Mac Barnett the job of promoting books and reading to kids across the country. His plan is to focus on picture books.

Yay picture books! #kidlit @npr.org

"if we are to really respect the taste and intelligence of kids, we should also be venerating their art as highly as any other literature." - Mac Barnett