Learn more about the 15 books on the CBC Kids Reads 2025 longlist below.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shark Girl by Kate Beaton![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/shark-girl-by-kate-beaton.jpg\")
Shark Girl is a picture book by Kate Beaton. (Roaring Brook)<\/p>\n
Kate Beaton’s picture book,\u00a0Shark Girl<\/a>, blends humour with ethical fishing practices, while\u00a0subverting the classic mermaid tale. When Shark Girl, who is part human and part shark, gets caught up in the nets of greedy Captain Barrett’s fishing boat, she realizes that the Captain is catching fish that he has\u00a0no intention of eating. So Shark Girl decides to get revenge!\u00a0<\/p>\n Shark Girl<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 3 to 6.\u00a0<\/p>\n Beaton is a cartoonist from Nova Scotia who launched her career by publishing the comic strip\u00a0Hark! A Vagrant<\/a>\u00a0online, which eventually turned into a bestselling book. Other books by Beaton include\u00a0Step Aside, Pops!<\/a>,\u00a0King Baby<\/a>,\u00a0The Princess and the Pony<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Ducks<\/a>, which\u00a0won\u00a0Canada Reads\u00a02023<\/a>, defended by champion Mattea Roach.\u00a0<\/p>\n LISTEN | Kate Beaton on\u00a0The Next Chapter:\u00a0<\/p>\n The Next ChapterKate Beaton\u2019s Life in Books<\/p>\n The Only Lonely Fairy by Lana Button, illustrated by Peggy Collins Leah’s only wish is to find a friend to play fairies with her at school, but when none of her classmates say yes she is left all alone. In the picture book,\u00a0The Only Lonely Fairy<\/a>, Leah is in turmoil as she realizes she is the only one reading fairy tales and becomes overwhelmed with sadness when suddenly she catches the faint voice of someone, or something, who might want to be her friend after all.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Only Lonely Fairy<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 3 to 6.<\/p>\n Lana Button is a children’s writer and educator based in Burlington, Ont. Her other books include\u00a0Willow Finds a Way\u00a0which was shortlisted for the Blue Spruce Award and\u00a0Percy’s Perfect Friend.<\/p>\n Peggy Collins is a children’s author and illustrator of over 35 books including\u00a0Hungry for Math\u00a0and\u00a0In the Garden. She is currently living in Newburgh, Ont.<\/p>\n So Loud! by Sahar Golshan, illustrated by Shiva Delsooz In this picture book about owning your voice, Rud\u0101beh, or Rudy, is known for being lively and joyful which makes many of the adults around her often say she’s being too loud. M\u0101m\u0101n Bozorg, comes to visit from Iran and Rudy decides to try to be quieter for her grandmother but realizes she might be so loud too.\u00a0So Loud!<\/a>\u00a0is Rudy’s journey of embracing the noise and knowing when to take up space.<\/p>\n So Loud!<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 4 to 7.<\/p>\n Sahar Golshan is a writer and filmmaker living in Mississauga, Ont. She previously received the 2019 Air Canada Short Film Award for her documentary\u00a0Kar.<\/p>\n Shiva Delsooz is an Ontario-based Iranian-Canadian illustrator.<\/p>\n Mad at Dad by Janie Hao\u00a0 Mad at Dad<\/a>\u00a0is a lift-the-flap picture book that explores big feelings and managing anger in healthy ways. A little girl gets mad at her dad, but quickly realises she doesn’t like the feeling of being mad, except she doesn’t know how to stop it.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mad at Dad<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 2 to 6.<\/p>\n Janie Hao is an illustrator and writer. She has a degree in illustration from Sheridan College and lives in Toronto.\u00a0<\/p>\n Benny and the Bananasaurus Rex by Sarabeth Holden, illustrated by Emma Pedersen In the picture book, Benny the Bananasaurus Rex<\/a>,\u00a0Benny knows that if he eats too many bananas, he might turn into one \u2014 but that’s not going to stop him. After eating bananas morning, noon and night, he becomes a Bananasaurus Rex and silly chaos ensues.<\/p>\n Benny the Bananasaurus Rex<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 3 to 5.<\/p>\n Sarabeth Holden is an Inuk author who grew up between Nova Scotia, Nunavut, New Brunswick\u00a0and Ontario. She is currently the president of the Toronto Inuit Association. Benny the Bananasaurus Rex<\/a>\u00a0won the 2024 Blue Spruce Award<\/a>.<\/p>\n Emma Pedersen is a storyteller and illustrator from Ontario. She also illustrated the picture books\u00a0The Blizzard, written by Heather Main, and\u00a0Life Cycles of Caribou<\/a>, written by\u00a0Monica Ittusardjuat.<\/p>\n LISTEN | This year’s must-read books for the kids and teens in your life:\u00a0<\/p>\n The Next ChapterThis year\u2019s must-read books for the kids and teens in your life<\/p>\n Cone Dog by Sarah Howden, illustrated by Carmen Mok\u00a0 After a visit to the veterinarian in\u00a0Cone Dog<\/a>,\u00a0a dog named Emma has to wear a plastic cone\u00a0and quickly learns that there are both advantages and disadvantages to wearing it \u2014 it dulls her digging, but also helps scare off the neighbourhood squirrel. She ultimately learns however, that cone or no cone, it’s her inventive spirit that makes her who she is.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Cone Dog<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 3 to 7.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sarah Howden is an author from Toronto. Her previous works include\u00a0Cone Cat, The Tunnel\u00a0and\u00a05-Minute Stories for Fearless Girls.\u00a0<\/p>\n Carmen Mok is a Toronto-based illustrator. Some of her other works of illustrations include\u00a0When I Listen to Silence<\/a>\u00a0by Jean E. Pendziwol,\u00a0Cone Cat\u00a0by Sarah Howden\u00a0and\u00a0A Stopwatch from Grampa<\/a>\u00a0by Loretta Garbutt.\u00a0<\/p>\n How to Staycation Like a Snail by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Kelly Collier In the follow-up to\u00a0How to Party Like a Snail<\/a>, introverted snail is back and this time he is planning the ultimate staycation with his friend Stump. Snail finds big holidays overwhelming\u00a0\u2014 he much prefers the feeling of returning home at the end of the vacation. So when he and Stump decide to plan a holiday at home, he couldn’t be more excited.\u00a0How to Staycation Like a Snail<\/a>\u00a0explores\u00a0finding\u00a0joy and adventure in your own backyard.\u00a0<\/p>\n How to Staycation Like a Snail<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 4 to 7.<\/p>\n Naseem Hrab is a Toronto-based writer and storyteller. She is the author of\u00a0How to Party Like a Snail<\/a>,\u00a0Otis & Peanut,\u00a0Weekend Dad<\/a>, which was\u00a0a finalist for the 2020 Governor General’s Literary Prize for young people’s literature \u2014 illustrated books<\/a>, and\u00a0The Sour Cherry Tree<\/a>, which\u00a0won the 2022 Governor General’s Literary Award for young people’s literature \u2014 illustrated books<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kelly Collier is a Toronto artist and illustrator. She is the author-illustrator of\u00a0A Horse Named Steve,\u00a0Team Steve\u00a0and the graphic novel\u00a0Steve, A Pretty Exceptional Horse<\/a>.\u00a0Collier is also the illustrator of numerous books including\u00a0Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle,\u00a0Izzy’s Tail of Trouble<\/a>,\u00a0Izzy’s Dog Days of Summer<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0How to Party Like a Snail<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n When You Meet a Dragon by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illustrated by Udayana Lugo When You Meet a Dragon is a picture book that shows the power of a community working together. When a child sees a dragon\u00a0in their town they know they couldn’t defeat it by themselves, so with a little help from their family and their neighbours, they work together to save their town from the dragon.\u00a0<\/p>\n When You Meet a Dragon is for ages 3\u00a0to 5.<\/p>\n Tanya Lloyd Kyi\u00a0has written\u00a0more than 30 books for children and teenagers, including\u00a0The Best Way to Get Your Way<\/a>,\u00a0This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes<\/a>,\u00a0Under Pressure<\/a>,\u00a0Mya’s Strategy to Save the World<\/a>\u00a0and Bompa’s Insect Expedition<\/a>, co-written with David Suzuki.\u00a0Kyi lives in Vancouver.<\/p>\n Udayana Lugo is an illustrator who lives in Richmond, B.C. Lugo has illustrated over 15 books, including Jungle Cat,\u00a0No Huddles for Heloise<\/a>,\u00a0City Beet\u00a0and\u00a0the CBC Kids Reads 2023 contender\u00a0Pink is for Everybody!<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Mango Monster by Derek Mascarenhas, illustrated by Meneka Repka\u00a0 In\u00a0The Mango Monster<\/a>\u00a0Marianne and her cousin Zoe are trying to solve the\u00a0mystery of who is stealing\u00a0the mangoes from their mango tree. They have waited all year for mango season, so when mangos start to disappear from the lower branches of their trees, they are determined to find out who is responsible.\u00a0Could it be a mango monster?<\/p>\n The Mango Monster<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 4 to 7.<\/p>\n Derek Mascarenhas is a Toronto writer. His previous books include the short story collection,\u00a0Coconut Dreams<\/a>, and the picture book,\u00a0100 Chapatis, which was illustrated by Shantala Robinson.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meneka Repka\u00a0is Sri Lankan-Canadian illustrator and teacher.\u00a0The Mango Monster<\/a>\u00a0is her first children’s book. Repka\u00a0lives in Victoria.\u00a0<\/p>\n I am a Rock by Ashley Qilavaq-Savard, illustrated by Pelin Turgut\u00a0 At bedtime, Pauloosie asks his Anaana, or mother, what rocks would say to us if they could. In\u00a0I Am A Rock<\/a>, Pauloosie’s pet rock, Miki Rock describes all that it can see, feel and hear as part of the land in the Arctic from the winds to the animals, the northern lights and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n I Am A Rock<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 3 to 5.<\/p>\n Ashley Qilavaq-Savard is an Inuk writer and artist from Iqaluit. She is the author of\u00a0Where the Sea Kuniks the Land\u00a0and\u00a0I Am A Rock<\/a>\u00a0is her first picture book. Qilavaq-Savard also makes sealskin and beaded jewellery and studies Inuktitut. CBC Books<\/a> named Qilavaq-Savard a writer to watch in 2024<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pelin Turgut is a children’s book illustrator from Turkey.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oh! Look, a Boat! by Andrew J. Ross Oh! Look, a Boat! follows the journey of an\u00a0inquisitive mouse who discovers a little boat and decides to hop\u00a0on board. The boat drifts off and the mouse realizes it is too late to get off. The boat takes the mouse on a journey through the sea, encountering a storm, a waterfall and other perils, before safely bringing the mouse back home.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oh! Look, a Boat! is for ages 3\u00a0to\u00a07.<\/p>\n Andrew J. Ross is a writer, an illustrator, a designer and a storyboard artist. He has previously illustrated two picture books,\u00a0Birthday on Mars! and\u00a0Heart on Pluto. Ross lives in Toronto.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Hockey Skates by Karl Subban, illustrated by Maggie Zeng Inspired by his NHL hockey player son P.K.\u00a0Subban, Karl Subban shares the story of young P.K. waiting for his new skates in\u00a0The Hockey Skates<\/a>.\u00a0With each new delivery that arrives not being the right skates \u2014 whether it’s the wrong colour or size, P.K. learns to persevere and remain optimistic in this comical story.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Hockey Skates<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 4 to 7.<\/p>\n Karl Subban has been a coach, teacher, principal and the father to three NHL hockey players. Subban, who resides in Ontario, is also the author of\u00a0How We Did It: The Subban Plan for Success in Hockey, School and Life<\/a>.<\/p>\n Maggie Zeng is a Montreal-based student at Concordia University. She is an illustrator, animator and concept artist of children’s books. The first picture book she illustrated is\u00a0This Is the Boat That Ben Built.\u00a0<\/p>\n LISTEN | Kark Subban\u00a0on\u00a0The Next Chapter:\u00a0<\/p>\n The Next ChapterRaising superstar hockey players with Karl Subban<\/p>\n The Little Green Envelope by Gillian Sze, illustrated by Claudine Crangle In\u00a0The Little Green Envelope<\/a>, Olive has a little green envelope that wants to be chosen to be delivered to Olive’s friend that has moved away. Just like Olive, the little green envelope also longs to travel. But will the envelope’s\u00a0wish come true?\u00a0<\/p>\n The Little Green Envelope<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 3 to 6.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gillian Sze is a Montreal-based writer and teacher who is originally from Winnipeg. Some of her other books for children include\u00a0The Night Is Deep and Wide,\u00a0My Love for You Is Always\u00a0and\u00a0You Are My Favorite Color,\u00a0which was a\u00a0finalist for the Quebec Writers’ Federation Award<\/a>. Her poetry collections include\u00a0Quiet Night Think<\/a>, which won the 2023 Pat Lowther Memorial Award.<\/p>\n Claudine Crangle is a Toronto-based author and multidisciplinary artist whose previous picture books include writing and illustrating\u00a0Priscilla Pack Rat,\u00a0Woolfred Cannot Eat Dandelions\u00a0and\u00a0The House Next Door<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n LISTEN\u00a0| Gillian Sze shares her\u00a0inspiration for the book with CBC Montreal’s Let’s Go:\u00a0<\/p>\n Let’s GoMontreal author named in CBC Kids Read 2025 longlist<\/p>\n Getting Glam at Gram’s by Sara Weed, illustrated by Erin Hawryluk In\u00a0Getting Glam at Gram’s<\/a>\u00a0Alex and their cousins love Sunday dinner at their Gram’s house \u2014 the whole family gets together and puts on a playful fashion show borrowed from Gram’s different outfits from across the decades.\u00a0Getting Glam at Gram’s<\/a>\u00a0celebrates\u00a0gender expression and learning to be yourself\u00a0and getting glamorous!\u00a0<\/p>\n Getting Glam at Gram’s<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 3 to 8.<\/p>\n Sara Weed is a queer writer and educator. Weed lives in rural Ontario.\u00a0<\/p>\n Erin Hawryluk is an Ontario-based illustrator, artist and designer.\u00a0<\/p>\n WATCH |\u00a0Sara Weed and Erin Hawryluk share their book, Getting Glam at Gram’s,\u00a0on CBC Kids Book Club:\u00a0<\/p>\n When You Can Swim by Jack Wong When You Can Swim<\/a>\u00a0is a picture book that encourages children to overcome their fears of the water. In the book, an adult explains to a young girl the joys and surprises of swimming.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n When You Can Swim<\/a>\u00a0is for ages 4 to 8.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jack Wong is a Halifax-based author and illustrator who was born in Hong Kong but grew up in Vancouver.\u00a0He\u00a0won the 2023 Governor General’s Literary Award for young people’s literature \u2014 illustrated books<\/a>\u00a0for his picture book\u00a0When You Can Swim<\/a>, which he wrote and illustrated.<\/p>\n WATCH |\u00a0The Canada Reads 2025 contenders meet Gary the Unicorn:\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CBC Kids Reads is back with the announcement of its longlist today. The third edition of “Canada Reads…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":65159,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[353,49,48,75],"class_list":{"0":"post-65158","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-books","8":"tag-books","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-entertainment"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/the-only-lonely-fairy-by-lana-button-illustrated-by-peggy-collins.jpg\")
The Only Lonely Fairy is a picture book by Lana Button, left, illustrated by Peggy Collins, right. (Pajama Press, Jessi Lalonde)<\/p>\n![\"So](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/so-loud-by-sahar-golshan-illustrated-by-shiva-delsooz.jpg\")
So Loud! is a picture book by Sahar Golshan, left, illustrated by Shiva Delsooz, right. (Dinaly Tran, Annick Press, Sina Delsooz)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/mad-at-dad-by-janie-hao.jpg\")
Mad at Dad is a picture book by Janie Hao. (Kids Can Press)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/benny-the-bananasaurus-rex.jpg\")
Benny the Bananasaurus Rex is a book by Sarabeth Holden, left, illustrated by Emma Pedersen, right. (Inhabit Media)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/cone-dog.jpg\")
Cone Dog is a picture book by Sarah Howden, top right, illustrated by Carmen Mok. (Owl Kids)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/how-to-staycation-like-a-snail-by-naseem-hrab-illustrated-by-kelly-collier.jpg\")
How to Staycation Like a Snail is a picture book by Naseem Hrab, lower right, illustrated by Kelly Collier, upper right. (Owlkids, Calvin Thomas, Emily Graves)<\/p>\n![\"Front](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/when-you-meet-a-dragon-by-tanya-lloyd-kyi-illustrated-by-udayana-lugo.jpg\")
When You Meet a Dragon is a picture book by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illustrated by Udayana Lugo. (Submitted by Udayana Lugo, Orca Book Publishers, Ian Redd)<\/p>\n![\"Book](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/the-mango-monster-by-derek-mascarenhas-illustrated-by-meneka-repka.jpg\")
The Mango Monster is a picture book by Derek Mascarenhas, left, illustrated by Meneka Repka, right. (Submitted by Derek Mascarenhas, Owlkids, Claire Buchanan)<\/p>\n![\"I](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/i-am-a-rock-by-ashley-qilavaq-savard-illustrated-by-pelin-turgut.png\")
I Am A Rock is a picture book by Ashley Qilavaq-Savard, pictured, illustrated by Pelin Turgut. (Inhabit Media)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/oh-look-a-boat-by-andrew-j-ross.jpg\")
Oh! Look, a Boat! is a picture book by Andrew J. Ross. (Flying Eye Books)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/the-hockey-skates.jpg\")
The Hockey Skates is a picture book by Karl Subban, top right, illustrated by Maggie Zeng, bottom right. (HarperCollins, Michael Guo, Marianna Lavergne)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/the-little-green-envelope.jpg\")
The Little Green Envelope is a picture book by Gillian Sze, left, and illustrated by Claudine Crangle, right. (Nadia Zheng, Groundwood Books, submitted by Claudine Crangle)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/getting-glam-at-gram-s-by-sara-weed-illustrated-by-erin-hawryluk.jpg\")
Getting Glam at Gram’s is a picture book by Sara Weed, left, illustrated by Erin Hawryluk, right. (Arsenal Pulp Press)<\/p>\n![\"On](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/when-you-can-swim-by-jack-wong.jpg\")
(Scholastic Canada, Nicola Davidson)<\/p>\n