Among the books for children or adolescents published recently, here are six titles that caught our attention.
For little ones: lessons from nature
Seeing his habitat taken over by humans, a bear decides to learn to become like them. Thanks to a young scout – who “spoke bear fluently” – the animal acquired several skills. However, once in town, he realizes that the place is not made for him. “Maybe bears should be less like humans and humans should be more like bears,” the little girl observes. A cute album that focuses on our relationship with nature and what it can teach us.
Learn to be a human – complete bear guide. Text by Sophia Kolinas, illustrations by Aparna Varma. Kata Editions. From 3 years old.
Learn to be a human – complete bear guide
Kata Edition
From 3 years old
Illustrated novel for primary school children: the war seen from here
IMAGE PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER
Extract of Sowing suns. Text by Andrée Poulin, illustrations by Enzo.
The war entered Théo’s life through the television. Bombs don’t explode over his head. Guns don’t shoot in his street. Despite everything, the young boy is troubled. “Why do humans wage war? », he asks his father. Written in free verse, this illustrated novel skilfully translates into words the emotions that armed conflicts can provoke in us, even if they break out abroad. Andrée Poulin addresses fear, anger, helplessness, sadness, but also hope. Essential reading in these uncertain times.
Sowing suns. Text by Andrée Poulin, illustrations by Enzo. Editions La Courte Escale. From 9 years old.
Sowing suns
The short scale
From 9 years old
Novel for primary school children: living house
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Extract of Capernaumby Pénélope Bourque
Anne lives in a house that is anything but ordinary. A living and terrifying house that devours everything thrown at it. Since her home constantly needs to be fed, the 11-year-old girl’s daily life is marked by incessant hunts for objects to satisfy the animal’s appetite. The arrival of a new neighbor will change everything. A captivating fantasy novel that highlights the power of friendship.
Capernaum, by Pénélope Bourque. Fides Editions. From 10 years old.
Capernaum
Fides Editions
From 10 years old
For adolescents: collateral victim
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Extract of blastby Véronique D’Anjou
A few weeks before Christmas, a little girl learns that her father has taken his own life. “A detonation had just shattered the tranquility of my 9-year-old. From there, it started to fly everywhere again,” writes Véronique D’Anjou in this moving book. In an incisive style, mixing narration and poetry, she describes the shock wave experienced by the heroine throughout her adolescence in Abitibi. A tough, but extremely touching novel.
blast, by Véronique D’Anjou. Leméac Youth Publisher. From 14 years old.
blast
Leméac Youth Editor
From 14 years old
Comic strip: from surprises to surprises
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Extract of Queen Babette – the great knitterby Rémy Simard
After finding her father’s half-body in the first volume of her adventures, Queen Babette must resolve another “big problem”: the appearance of mysterious holes all over the country. Accompanied by her faithful squire, the only majesty to wear underpants as a crown will question the zany inhabitants of her kingdom, such as the great charlatan and the blind seer. A dive into a crazy and surprisingly surprising world.
Queen Babette – the great knitter, by Rémy Simard. Editions La Pastèque. From 6 years old.
Queen Babette – the great knitter
Editions La Pastèque
From 6 years old
Documentary: in the world of Marcelle Ferron
IMAGE PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER
Extract of Marcelle Ferron – a colorful lifeby Marie Barguirdjian
While the 100th is being celebrated this yeare birth anniversary of Marcelle Ferron, author and speaker Marie Barguirdjian introduces children to the works and life of this great Quebec artist in this colorful album. “In this story, you will see neither bear nor rabbit, nor house nor forest. […] Because here, the characters are shapes, lines and colors that dance,” she warns at the beginning of the book. A work which allows young people to come into contact with abstract art and which invites them to let their imagination run wild.
Marcelle Ferron – a colorful life, by Marie Barguirdjian. Éditions Édito. From 6 years old.
Marcelle Ferron – a colorful life
Éditions Édito
From 6 years old