Children’s literature: our suggestions | The Press

Some suggestions for youth books for toddlers, children and teenagers.

Veronique Larocque
The Press

For the little ones: having fun with Alfred Pellan

Dancing flowers, critters with 4, 8, 12 or 1000 legs, a cow galloping along a wall: these are the kind of creatures found in Alfred Pellan’s crazy universe. In a fun way and directly addressing young readers, author Marie Barguirdjian presents some twenty works by this important Quebec artist. As its title suggests, the album also contains a secret that will make anyone who has kept their child’s heart smile.

Alfred’s secret

Text by Marie Barguirdjian, with works by Alfred Pellan

Editions Editorial

From 4 years old

For children: a new beginning

Casimir has always lived in the same apartment. In his alley, he has a crowd of friends. One afternoon, an envelope turns his life upside down. “Is that how it works?” Whoever decides to evict us only has to blow a piece of paper into my mother’s bed to upset our life that he doesn’t know? “, protests Casimir. Once the shock has passed, the resourceful and inventive boy chooses to transform “unhappiness into happiness”. Touching and luminous, this short novel written in free verse deals with eviction, a subject rarely addressed in children’s literature.

We must go, Casimir

Text by Virginie Beauregard D., illustrations by Delphie Côté-Lacroix

Editions The short scale

From 9 years old

For teenagers: childhood memories

A man returns to his old home to collect his childhood memories before his old room is renovated. Between Disney VHS, laminated posters, snapshots of an old disposable camera and a deflated balloon, the narrator recalls his first love which continues to upset him. “You are still at the center of everything / My inner child is still waiting for you somewhere / Partly hiding in a parallel world”, writes Jonathan Bécotte in this short poetic novel with evocative images that immerse the reader in joys and sorrows from childhood.

The dark room

Jonathan Becotte

Lemeac Editions

From 12 years old

Comic strip: the toy of the hour

When Agathe brings her new toy to school, she is the envy of the other students in the class. Back home, the young people all make the same request to their parents: “I want a Zipoclic! Pauline is very disappointed when her mother replies that she will have to wait until her birthday. If she managed to earn some pocket money, she could buy the robot herself, thought the little girl. However, would she really be happier with a Zipoclic? Without being moralizing, this pretty comic strip leads children to think about the value of objects and, above all, that of friendships.

Pauline and the Zipoclic

Text by Anouk Mahiout, illustrations by Marjolaine Perreten

Editions Like Giants

From 5 years old

Documentary: source of inspiration

How to write a good story? In this book which mixes documentary and fiction, the prolific author François Gravel reveals his tricks as a writer. In a complicit tone, he invites readers to take up the pen and pursue the beginnings of stories from his imagination. All in pleasure. Complement to How I became a cannibalanother title by François Gravel which deals with writing, this book is the perfect tool to overcome the lack of inspiration, whether you are a student obliged to submit a written production or a future author.

Return of the Cannibal – Stories that Simmer

Francois Gravel

Editions Quebec America

From 12 years old