2025
Great Canadian
Gift Books for Kids
It might seem that kids are more interested in screens than books these days. But in our experience, children still love to immerse themselves in a brilliantly engaging tale, while also enjoying the rare and luxurious quiet time that reading can provide. And even if your kid is not quite at the reading stage yet, the delightful pursuit of enjoying a book with them––especially if it's adorned with delightful artwork––is the kind of quality time everyone loves.
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But what books to choose? Here at the Vancouver Christmas Guide, we're making it easy for your this year by profiling some of our favourite new books for junior readers. Perfect for 2025 gift giving, each of these is by a B.C.or Canadian author, which means you'll also be supporting our homegrown creative community at the same time. Keep an eye on this page going forward; we'll be adding more titles as the season unfolds.
THE INQUISITIVE RAVEN
by Richard Wagamese (Douglas & McIntyre; $24.95)
Perfect for: Children aged 6 to 8; nature-lovers of all ages
Buy it here
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This beguiling storybook relates the tail of Rueben the raven who exercises his rapacious curiosity––some might say nosiness––by trying to learn everything about the other creatures in the forest. He imitates the blue herons, advises beavers on dam building and soars like an eagle in a misguided attempt to earn everyone’s respect. Gorgeously illustrated by Bridget George, Ojibway author Wagamese has created a gem-like book everyone will love to own.
THE THING ABOUT BIRDS
by Christy Obalek (Heritage House; $24.95)
Perfect for: Children aged 4 to 8; fans of birds and nature
Buy it here
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When neighbours and best friends Ollie and Ellie head out to explore their area one day, they discover a feather on the path. And that inspires them––in this delightfully rhyming story––to explore the question of what defines a bird. From wings to nests to songs, they chart the major features of our avian friends before discovering one particular unique characteristic that separates birds from all the other animals.
WHITEY'S JOURNEY
by Kelsey Lonie (Heritage House; $24.95)
Perfect for: Children aged 4 to 8; fans of dogs and real-life stories
Buy it here
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Engagingly illustrated by Renee Hansen, this book relates the true story of a troop of 1939 soldiers that was repeatedly joined by a local pup every time they marched through the streets of Winnipeg. Squaring it with the owners, Whitey was adopted by the troop––kick-starting a series of adventures that saw him officially joining the Canadian Army, earning his own pay, leading parades and deploying overseas to serve his country with pride.
HUXLEY'S ISLAND ADVENTURE
by Haley Healey (Heritage House; $24.95)
Perfect for: Children aged 4 to 8; fans of cats and B.C. nature
Buy it here
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Sumptuously illustrated by Kimiko Fraser, this charming storybook relates the epic adventures of comfy cat Huxley whose cosy houseboat life is transformed when he finds himself lost without his owner in the B.C. wilderness. Searching for a way home, the curious kitty encounters unfamiliar forests, imposing mountains, strange plants and wild animals as his unexpected––and brilliantly depicted––odyssey unfolds.
INSPIRED: A ROY HENRY VICKERS COLOURING BOOK
by Roy Henry Vickers (Harbour Publishing; $19.95)
Perfect for: Children and adults of all ages; fans of art and Indigenous art
Buy it here
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You definitely don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this lavish colouring book featuring the artwork of revered West Coast carver, painter, printmaker and storyteller Roy Henry Vickers. From soaring eagles to shoreline scenes and from butterflies to dense forests, each page is a template just waiting for you to apply your personally chosen colours and designs. The perfect way to slow down and unwind, there are 42 pages of artworks to get creative with here.
MY LITTLE SANTA CLAUS
by Gabrielle Vincent (Rocky Mountain Books; $20)
Perfect for: Children aged 3 to 8; fans of Christmas and Santa
Buy it here
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The first-ever Canadian edition of this beloved Belgian storybook, this charming and beautifully illustrated tale introduces us to Magali as she encounters a kid-sized Santa Claus one Christmas Eve. Seemingly lost, the red-robed little Santa doesn’t have any gifts––so his new friend rushes to give him one herself. Exemplifying the joy of giving and more, this gentle story is a delightful book for children who love the magic of the holiday season.
EMERSON THE ELEPHANT SEAL
by Ginger Ngo (Harbour Publishing; $24.95)
Perfect for: Children aged 3 to 5; nature fans
Buy it here
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Inspired by the real-life account of a young elephant seal that spent a month hanging out on Victoria’s shoreline in 2022––to the delight of locals and international media––this colourful storybook imagines him exploring the city’s sights. From enjoying salmon sandwiches at the Empress to snapping selfies with a mammoth at the Royal BC Museum, Emerson has a blast as the locals fall in love with him (from a respectful distance, of course).
7 GENERATIONS: A PLAINS CREE SAGA
by David A. Robertson & Scott B. Henderson (Highwater Press; $36.99)
Perfect for: Ages 15 to 18; those interested in Indigenous stories and graphic novels
Buy it here
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The 15th anniversary edition of this gripping, engaging and brilliantly illustrated anthology of all four titles in the 7 Generations series tells the story of Cree teenager Edwin as he struggles to connect with his identity. But as Edwin’s mother relates the tumultuous true history of his family over three centuries, Edwin learns that the past must be confronted before there’s any chance of healing the present.