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Eh, Canada! The BEST Book Recs by a Canadian Teacher 🍁

36 items

Rachel Holden

Canadian links! With over 20 years of teaching, this list includes the books that I love to hear over and over again as much as the students love to listen. Not only are they fabulous for the primary classroom, but they deserve to be part of your f...

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Julia Donaldson Read Alouds

Kevin Henkes

Julia Donaldson Read Alouds

Julia Donaldson has not only won my heart of the years, but her books continue to win the hearts of little ones year after year. Her stories are delightful, full of interesting language, clever stories, and spunky characters!

Let's call this the best book of the year! Every year! I have been teaching for over 20 years with most of those years in grade one! Why didn't you know? There's no such thing as a Gruffalo! Well... you will have to read to find out!

The Gruffalo

Room on the Broom is a delightful story about a witch who had a number of mishaps but gathers a few friends along the way. Good thing she does! Suddenly, she comes face to face with a terrible dragon! But this clever crew knows exactly what to do!

Room On The Broom

A heartwarming rhyming tale by Julia Donaldson about a busker’s cat, friendship, and finding your way home. Perfect for reading aloud with little ones who love animals and happy endings.

Tabby McTat, the Musical Cat

A delightful penguin adventure from Julia Donaldson, full of rhythm, rhyme, and icy escapades. Follow Joonty Gentoo as he waddles through challenges and friendships in this charming, read-aloud gem.

Jonty Gentoo - The Adventures of a Penguin

Join Ruth Mary, a brave and lovable tooth fairy, on her most unexpected jungle mission yet! When she’s sent to collect animal teeth and encounters a grumpy crocodile with a taste for trouble, adventure—and a little magic—are sure to follow. A whimsic...

The Tooth Fairy and the Crocodile

In this rhyming winter adventure, the Gruffalo’s curious child ventures into the snowy woods in search of the Big Bad Mouse—only to find a surprising twist.

The Gruffalo's Child

A heartwarming space adventure about two star-crossed friends from rival tribes who prove that love and friendship can bring worlds together. So cute with all the squeals from children when they hear it!

The Smeds And The Smoos

A funny, spooky tale of three mischief-makers—a troll, a ghost, and a witch—who try to scare a brave little girl, only to be outsmarted at every turn.

The Baddies

A lost gosling hatches in a bear’s cave and—convinced he's her daddy—follows him through the seasons. A tender, laugh-out-loud tale of family, belonging, and unexpected bonds.

Gozzle: A heartwarming story about what home and family truly mean

A gentle, lyrical tale following an oak tree’s life through the changing seasons and years, showing the wonders of nature and the creatures it shelters.

The Oak Tree

A captivating tale of a girl whose magic paintbrush brings her drawings to life, teaching her to use its power wisely and kindly.

The Magic Paintbrush

Zog is one of my favourite Julia Donaldson characters. He is so loveable! This is a funny, feel-good story of Zog, an eager young dragon who tries his hardest at dragon school—bumps, bruises, and all.

A Gold Star for Zog

This is a pre-order that I will be adding to my collection! Comes out September 11, 2025. Watch for my review!

Paper Chase

A clever, rhyming tale about a quiet little ladybird who outsmarts sneaky thieves, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, on the farm—perfect for teaching teamwork and problem-solving.

What The Ladybird Heard

Discover the mischievous world of The Troll by Julia Donaldson, where clever rhymes and charming characters bring a magical tale to life. Perfect for young readers who love adventure and humor wrapped in a playful story!

The Troll

Join a little girl and her whimsical paper dolls on a heartfelt journey full of imagination, friendship, and a touch of magic in Julia Donaldson’s "The Paper Dolls." A beautifully illustrated story that celebrates creativity and the joy of play. Be p...

The Paper Dolls

Dive into a sparkling underwater adventure with The Singing Mermaid by Julia Donaldson, where enchanting melodies and colorful sea creatures bring a magical tale of friendship and bravery to life. Perfect for young dreamers who love the ocean and mus...

The Singing Mermaid

The Bowerbird by Julia Donaldson tells the charming story of a bird who builds a beautiful home decorated with colorful treasures to attract a mate. It’s a fun and heartwarming tale about creativity and love.

The Bowerbird

On Christmas Eve, the clever ladybird and her friends work together to stop a sneaky plan and save the day. It's a festive, fun story full of teamwork and holiday cheer!

What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas

The ladybird and her friends are back to outsmart some new tricky thieves on the farm. A clever and exciting follow-up full of fun and teamwork! You won't believe what they found!

What The Ladybird Heard Next

When a noisy Go-Away Bird starts causing trouble, the other animals find a clever way to teach him a lesson. It is a funny and lively story about friendship and learning to get along!

The Go-away Bird

The ladybird and her friends work together to stop some sneaky thieves trying to steal treasure by the sea. A fun, adventurous story full of teamwork and clever plans!

What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside

Julia Donaldson’s The Ugly Five is a fun and rhyming story about five quirky animals in the African bush who don’t quite fit in because of their unusual looks. Together, they learn about friendship and how being different can be a good thing.

The Ugly Five

This is the most creative story! It simply delights children! Trust me, every child loves her magical play!

Princess Mirror-Belle: A Princess Mirror-Belle Chapter Book

The Woolly Bear Caterpillar by Julia Donaldson is a charming story about a little caterpillar who feels plain compared to the other beautiful insects she meets. With lovely rhymes and captivating illustrations, it’s a gentle tale about patience, tran...

The Woolly Bear Caterpillar

The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson is a heartwarming story inspired by the real journey of a Christmas tree traveling from a forest in Norway to Trafalgar Square in London. With lyrical rhymes and beautiful illustrations, it celebrates giving, fri...

The Christmas Pine

The Everywhere Bear by Julia Donaldson is a sweet and engaging tale about a beloved classroom bear who goes on an unexpected adventure. As he travels from one place to another, he meets new friends and experiences exciting moments before finding his ...

The Everywhere Bear

Jack and the Flumflum Tree by Julia Donaldson is a fun and lively rhyming adventure about Jack, who sails across the sea to find a cure for his granny’s strange illness. Armed with a bag of odd objects, Jack and his friends face tricky challenges, sh...

Jack And The Flumflum Tree

The Cook and the King by Julia Donaldson is a humorous story about a timid cook who’s hired by a hungry king. Despite being afraid of everything from catching fish to climbing mountains, the cook cleverly finds ways to prepare a delicious meal, provi...

The Cook And The King: Book & Cd

Princess Mirror-Belle and the Dragon Pox is a fun and mischievous story about Ellen, who is stuck in bed with spots, and her cheeky mirror double, Princess Mirror-Belle. Together, they cause chaos and turn a boring sick day into a magical adventure.

Princess Mirror-belle And The Dragon Pox

Kevin Henkes

Owen by Kevin Henkes is a picture book about a little mouse named Owen who loves his yellow blanket, Fuzzy. He takes it everywhere—inside, outside, to the dinner table, even the bathtub. With school starting soon, his parents worry he needs to give i...

Owen: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

Chester’s Way by Kevin Henkes is about two best friends, Chester and Wilson, who do everything the same way. When a bold new girl named Lilly moves in, she shakes up their routine. It’s a fun story about friendship, accepting differences, and trying ...

Chester's Way

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes is about a little mouse named Wemberly who worries about everything, especially starting school. But when she meets a new friend who’s also nervous, she learns she doesn’t have to worry so much. It’s a gentle story ab...

Wemberly Worried

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes is about an excited little mouse who loves her new purse and can’t wait to show it off at school. When she disrupts class, her teacher takes it away, and Lilly gets angry. She learns about patience, apolog...

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Lilly’s Big Day by Kevin Henkes is about Lilly, who’s thrilled to be the flower girl at her teacher’s wedding. She dreams of being perfect, but things don’t go as planned. In the end, she helps another nervous flower girl and feels proud. It’s a swee...

Lilly's Big Day

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes is about a little mouse who loves her beautiful, unique name—until other kids tease her about it at school. With her parents’ support and a kind teacher, she learns to be proud of who she is. It’s a warm story about self...

Chrysanthemum: A First Day of School Book for Kids