Coming Soon!
No birthdays. No parties. Nothing to celebrate!
A Wonderful Choice for Inclusive Classrooms!
Today is NOT a Holiday! is a funny, heartwarming story about discovering that ordinary days can be extraordinary!
With no religious themes or holiday traditions, it's a perfect winter read-aloud for classrooms, school libraries, and families of all backgrounds.
Because every child deserves a reason to celebrate!
DONKEY OTIS has a question (Inclusive & Non Religious)
Donkey Otis has heard of snowmen—but he’s never seen one in the desert. When a mysterious picture appears, he sets off on a curious adventure to find the truth along the way,
Otis asks funny questions, meets unexpected friends, and discovers that imagination can turn even the driest landscape into something magical. With gentle humor and a playful rhythm, Are Snowmen Real? is a warm, read-aloud story that celebrates curiosity, wonder, and the joy of believing.
Perfect for Classrooms & School Libraries!
A fun, inclusive winter read for all students! This story celebrates the magic of the season without religious themes, making it a wonderful choice for classroom read-alouds, winter activities, and families of all backgrounds.
The Red Sweater BESTSELLER
When a little boy doesn't get the birthday present he wished for, he learns a valuable lesson about charity and generosity.
Mom orders a red sweater online and when it arrives it's not exactly what they expected. When Mom suggests they donate it to the local charity shop, the idea is met with some resistance. After all, the sweater was "special" and what if someone who isn't so nice gets it?
You are More Than What you Wear!
Jane has some ideas about how to dress and what to wear and that means JEANS!
So, when her mother suggests she wear a frilly dress to visit her Grandma, Jane must think quick. You can’t climb a tree in a dress, or ride a skateboard in a dress, she pleads.
Mom gently reminds Jane that she is loved, no matter what she wears. Jane’s scruffy little dog has his own idea of what to do with a pair of jeans and provides a surprise happy ending.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Every curious child has a question — or ten!
In this gentle, beautifully illustrated story, a little boy’s big imagination turns everyday wonders into delightful discoveries. From fishbowls to fireflies, each page celebrates curiosity, courage, and the joy of asking why.
A perfect bedtime or classroom read, Ten Little Questions reminds children (and grown-ups too) that wondering is how we learn — and that every question truly matters.
Ten Little Happies BESTSELLER
KIDS! Whenever you feel sad or blue, just reach into your memory where the Happies live!
Everyone has Happies. It might be a flower, or a bird, or it might be a sandcastle that you built on a beach. Maybe it’s a gold sticker you received for doing something special. Happies are always there when you need them.
Ten Little Happies teaches little ones to focus on happy thoughts to help relieve anxiety or fear and is a great bedtime soother.
NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS!
From the author of the bestseller Ten Little Happies comes another feel-good book about memories and happy thoughts. Helping little ones to self-soothe, this book is a must for reluctant sleepers or kids with separation anxiety.
If the holidays are stressful for your little one, try Ten Little Christmas Happies!
Can't Wait for Sunday!
Sunday is the best day of the week! Follow a little boy as he counts down the days until Sunday when he can spend the whole day with his family.
A joyful look at busy life and the simple pleasures of family time. A feel-good book for kids 2 to 6 years.
Dog's Best Friend! The Beloved Bestseller!
When a scruffy dog is followed home by a tiny Christmas tree, he nurtures and loves it, only to discover that it can’t stay with him forever.
I Heard Christmas Whisper is a sweet reminder that while December 26 might feel sad, next year Christmas will return.
Kids love the adorable pup who feels blue when Christmas is over but cheers up when he learns how to hold the season in his heart all year long.
Beautifully illustrated, this Christmas tale is sure to become a favorite.
Read a Review!
Do Butterflies Sleep?
More Than Just a Bedtime Story!
Not every butterfly lives in a meadow full of flowers!
In busy Butterfly Alley, one cheerful little butterfly has a big day ahead. There's breakfast to eat, a bus to catch, and a first day of school full of new friends, surprises, and adventures.
But when bedtime comes, he just can't close his eyes. Ever!
A funny, heartwarming story told in playful rhyme, with quirky, colourful watercolour illustrations. Perfect for ages 3–7.
Do Ants Have Uncles?
A "play safe" adventure, success through determination.
When our hero, Ant, accidentally gets hijacked to the city in a human’s backpack, returning home becomes top priority.
With the help of city and forest animals, Ant uses willpower and inner strength to travel back to the colony.
Little ones will learn about determination, self-reliance and playing safely outside.
A heartwarming rhyming tale, with charming illustrations.
Do Bees Say Please?
A friendship adventure, success through ingenuity!
All the animals on the farm are afraid of Bee. But with some good advice from a wise goose, the lonely little Bee soon makes friends.
But the real excitement happens when a stubborn baby goat won’t come down from the barn roof. Bee gets a sweet idea and saves the day.
Available in paperback or Kindle editions on Amazon
Do Flies Tell Lies?
Success through honesty!
Welcome to the town of Horsefly in the old west where Fly wants to be sheriff, but he must prove himself first. The chance comes when Bandit Bird holds up the bank and takes off into the desert with all the gold.
Can fly achieve his dream of being the sheriff of Horsefly? Can Fly make friends with the horses even though they are afraid of being bitten?
A laugh-out-loud tale, with funny illustrations, told in gentle rhyme.
Do Beetles Sing?
A music adventure, success through perseverance!
Beetle wants to play an instrument but doesn’t want to practice. Guitar, violin, drums, which shall it be?
After unsuccessfully trying out several different instruments, the stubborn little Beetle is finally convinced by his friends to go to music school.
Little ones will learn about perseverance and patience.
This Case Is Slippery!
Young detective Casey is on the case, following gooey clues and asking the right questions. With the help of the 5 W’s—WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY—he sorts through a trail of slippery suspects, including his mischievous cats, Toots and Sweet.
Perfect for early and reluctant readers, this fun and simple mystery uses short sentences, clear clues, and just the right amount of “ew!” to keep kids turning pages—and thinking like detectives.
Can you solve the case before Casey does?
This Case Stinks!
Something smells terrible… but what is it?
Detective Casey is on the case, following a trail of stinky clues through
the house. Using the 5 W’s—WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY—he investigates
every suspect, including his mischievous cats, Toots and Sweet, who always seem
to be nearby when trouble starts.
Designed for early and reluctant readers, this fun mystery features short
sentences, clear clues, and just the right amount of “ew!” to keep kids engaged
and thinking.
This Case Is Oozy!
Something is oozing… but what is it—and where is it coming from?
Detective Casey is on the case, tracking a trail of drips, blobs, and sticky clues around the house. Using the 5 W’s—WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY—he sorts through the evidence and questions every suspect—including his mischievous cats, Toots and Sweet, who always seem to be nearby when things get messy.
Designed for early and reluctant readers, this playful mystery features short sentences, clear clues, and just the right amount of “ew!” to keep kids engaged and thinking like detectives.
Can you figure out what’s really going on before Casey does?
Behind the Books
Made in Canada. Imagined Everywhere. 🍁
Meet Toots & Sweet! Our New Comic Strip Has Arrived!
Rustwater Is Here. And This One Has Pictures.
Thanks for visiting.
Backpack Books — Home of award-winning Canadian author Janice Garden Macdonald.