Loan Stars is the readers’ advisory tool that allows libraries across Canada to indicate popular upcoming titles. Using LibraryData, the library data aggregation service, the forthcoming titles with the most orders become Loan Stars top picks!

The May Jr. Canadian Loan Stars top 10 list features ten books that have at least one author, illustrator, translator, or editor (in the case of an edited collection of material) who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.

You can see each book and find out a bit more about them in the list below, or you can download our poster if you want to display it, say in your library or on social media (tag us: @LoanStars!). You can also view these titles on CataList in this catalogue.

May 2023 Junior Canadian List

Loan Stars top pick:

Nothing’s Wrong!

by Jory John, Illus. by Erin Kraan 🍁

9780374312176 | Humorous Stories

Description:

Anders does not seem like himself. He and his friend Jeff are headed for a picnic, but no matter how much Anders insists that he’s feeling just fine, Jeff gets the sense that his best friend isn’t being totally honest. Should he check in on Anders or give him space? Should he help him out or just be by his side? How can he be a good friend if he doesn’t know what his friend might need?

Nothing's Wrong! reminds us that even when nothing seems to go right, a good friend will be there for you at the end of the day.

I’ll Be a Chicken Too

by Lana Vanderlee 🍁, Illus. by Mike Deas 🍁

9781459835559 | Imagination & Play

Description:

Humans become chickens and roosters, frogs and dogs, snails, whales and many more animals under the sun as children explore their creativity and uniqueness and caregivers play alongside.

With messages of inclusiveness and unconditional acceptance, the rollicking, rhyming couplets depicting a day filled with dress-up and make-believe are a humorous and satisfying reminder to children of just how much their caregivers love them, no matter what.

Salma Makes a Home

by Danny Ramadan 🍁, Illus. by Anna Bron 🍁

9781773217611 | Social Themes

Description:

After a year, eleven months, and six days apart, Salma’s dad is finally joining her family in their new home. Salma is so happy to see her baba–but she’s also worried. What if he misses Syria so much that he leaves them again? She throws herself into showing him around the city and helping him learn English, but as Baba shares memories of Damascus Salma starts to realize how much she misses Syria, too. Can Salma make space in her heart for two homes? And can Baba?

Breaking News

by Raina Delisle 🍁, Illus. by Julie McLaughlin 🍁

9781459826564 | Media Studies

Description:

Becoming a savvy news consumer is more important than ever as people are spending an increasing amount of time on the internet and social media, where they're exposed to fake news and clickbait. And as major news events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have shown us, the global spread of misinformation and disinformation puts lives at risk and accurate and reliable information can save lives.

Breaking News: Why Media Matters helps kids become critical news consumers and teaches them how to tell fact from fiction. It explores the history of the media industry, the important roles the news plays today and the challenges it faces, and it gives kids the tools they need to find the news they can use.

Jungle Cat

by Andrew Larsen 🍁, Illus. by Udayana Lugo 🍁

9781459834644 | Animals

Description:

Bob is an orange tabby cat with big dreams. He lives in a safe and friendly apartment building with his human, Pippa, but Bob knows he is more than an indoor cat—he's a Jungle Cat! When he sneaks outside to chase after his dream, Bob's adventure suddenly gets too wild. It's a good thing jungle cats know when to ask for help!

Vibrantly illustrated with playful depictions of city and apartment life, this is the delightful story of an over-confident cat who learns about the comforts of community and home.

Forever Our Home

by Tonya Simpson 🍁, Illus. by Carla Joseph 🍁

9781459835634 | People & Places

Description:

Under glowing morning sun and silvery winter moon, from speckled frogs croaking in spring to summer fields painted with fireweed, this meditative lullaby introduces little ones to the plants and animals of the Prairies and the Plains. Featuring stunning artwork by celebrated artist Carla Joseph, Forever Our Home is a beautiful and gentle song about our spiritual connection to the land.

Meet Buffy Sainte-Marie

by Elizabeth MacLeod 🍁, Illus. by Mike Deas 🍁

9781443196123 | Biography & Autobiography

Description:

Buffy Sainte-Marie is not exactly sure where or when she was born, but it was likely the Piapot Reserve in the Qu’Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan. As a baby she was adopted out to a white family in the United States. But nothing would stop Buffy from connecting to her roots and sharing the power and the beauty of her heritage with the world.

As a musician, Buffy’s songs have inspired three generations of fans, garnering international acclaim and many awards. She’s a peace activist, an advocate for Indigenous-focused education, and a tireless supporter of Indigenous rights.

After an incredible career lasting more than 60 years, Buffy’s music and message are as uplifting and important today as they ever were. Now is the right time to introduce young readers to this fascinating change-maker, with this accessible, engaging book.

When You Can Swim

by Jack Wong 🍁

9781338830965 | General

Description:

In expansive vignettes, we meet sandpipers, peaceful lakes, the feeling of a small waterfall on one’s shoulders. Artist and author Jack Wong has delivered an empowering, poetic modern classic that fills readers with the wonder and confidence needed to overcome their fears of the water. When You Can Swim invites children into the warmth and wonder of the natural world and its watery splendors. At the same time, children will experience the joyousness that nature’s lessons teach us through its beauty.

The Never-Ending Sweater

by Erin Welch 🍁, Illus. by Dorothy Leung 🍁

9781459834736 | Family

Description:

When Peter was little, he asked his grandmother to knit him a VERY big sweater. So she made him a sweater with love knit into every stitch. Young Peter wore the sweater, with its drooping sleeves and oversized body, everywhere he went. Eventually, Peter outgrew his small seaside village and decided to see the world with his sweater providing comfort and a reminder of home on every adventure. After traveling for many years, he returns home to find a new family next door. They too have traveled from far away, and Peter finds a connection with the young son, who also needs a comforting reminder of home.

Crankosaurus

by Katherine Battersby 🍁

9781665914550 | Animals

Description:

Cranky Chicken has no time to play with Speedy the worm because it’s nap time—and it is never a good idea for Cranky to skip a nap. Then, Speedy starts having questions of identity: what does it really mean to be a worm? Can Cranky and Speedy find some answers? Later, Cranky and Speedy discover an egg and have to work together to take care of it. These three new stories about listening, helping our friends, and learning new things will make readers fall even more deeply in love with these delightful BFFs (that is, best feathered friends).

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