Every fall, independent booksellers and publishers work together to promote a range of new titles published in Canada and internationally. Books for Everybody is a hand-picked selection of books for all interests, including young readers. Here are some highlights from the catalogues that provide great last-minute ideas for gifts and stocking stuffers.

 

A Bear in War’s famous teddy returns to help English children travel to host families on the Canadian homefront during World War II. When two home-sick children need a friend, Teddy bravely leaves his beloved Aileen to comfort them. But the war seems endless. Will Teddy and the children ever return to their homes again?
War, ages 5 and up, $19.95 cl, colour illus., 32 pp. 978-1-927485-13-2

 

In this beautifully designed gift book, readers of all ages will learn how a passion for learning and adventure saved one young man from a future in England’s coal mines and led him to become the most famous painter of the Yukon. Ted Harrison’s bright, distinctive paintings of Canada’s north are known worldwide, but this is the first time the artist’s story has been told in picture book form. Ted’s early travels around the world, first in the British Intelligence and later as a teacher, are illustrated with family photographs and Ted’s own paintings, which change and develop with the new techniques that inspired him where he lived. But it was in the Yukon, where he settled at last to raise a family, that Ted developed the style for which he is beloved today.
Art, ages 6 and up, $22.95 cl, colour illus. and b&w photos, 40 pp. 978-1-927485-63-7

 

The third book in this popular children’s series is filled with more of the wacky facts, funny stories and crazy pictures that children love. From surfing dogs, amazing collections and mythical beasts, the stories and pictures in this title are sure to amaze.
Reference & Humour, ages 7–10, $8.99 pa, colour photos & illus. throughout, 224 pp. 978-1-60991-116-4

 

A brand new large-format title in this popular series is packed with crazy stories, extraordinary facts and amazing pictures. Read about a snowboarding dog or strange events like fish falling from the sky. This book is filled with fun and engaging stories that are sure to entertain and amaze for hours.
Reference & Humour, ages 7–10, $20.95 cl, colour photos & illus. throughout, 144 pp. 978-1-60991-118-8

 

The author of If the World Were a Village scales down big concepts in space, time and humanity, and invites us to see the world  in a mind-bending new way.
People & Places, ages 8–12, $19.95 cl, colour illus. throughout, 40 pp. 978-1-894786-34-8

Find participating bookstores in your community here or at http://www.findabookstore.ca/.