EPL Picks Kids: Best of the Year 2025 Grades 1-3Like this list

10 items

• To See An Owl

  Cordell, Matthew, 1975-

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  Janie loves owls and would like to see them in the wild. Inspired by her Teacher, Koji, she takes careful notes about owls. She goes on adventures with her mother to search for the birds of the night.

• Home in a Lunchbox

  Mo, Cherry

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  Moving to a new country can be daunting—especially when facing a language barrier. Jun finds comfort each day in the familiarity of her lunchbox. This award-winning story uses vibrant illustrations and minimal text to tenderly portray courage and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Many Colours of Home

  a Refugee Story of Friendship and Hope

  Hussain, Shaima

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  Neither war nor distance can break the bond between two best friends in this locally authored story about a Syrian family's transition to life in Canada.

• Joyful Song

  a Naming Story

  Newman, Lesléa

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  A warm, beautifully illustrated story celebrating the arrival of a baby girl. The tradition of keeping the chosen name secret sparks curiosity among family and community, adding charm to this tale of love, heritage, and welcome.

• Heidi

  a Graphic Novel

  Marsden, Mariah

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  This graphic retelling follows Heidi, an orphan sent to live with her grandfather, "Alm Uncle." Although Alm Uncle seems indifferent to Heidi at first, a bond forms between the two and she discovers how much she prefers life in the mountains. A…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Maya Inside

  Hughes, Alison, 1966-

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  This book by an award‑winning Alberta author celebrates resilience as Maya, its courageous main character, confronts her fear of being teased and faces the world—quite literally—inside out.

• Cloud Puppy. 2, Game On!

  Miller, Kelly Leigh

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  A game-like adventure filled with expressive illustrations and adorable characters who all enjoy different things. In the face of both fun and frightening moments, the characters learn to support each other and progress through the game as a team.

• The First Week of School

  Beckmeyer, Drew

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  A richly illustrated, descriptive story capturing the full experience of the first week of school—from Monday’s morning gathering to Friday’s big discovery. Inventors, sport lovers, teachers, and even aliens share their awkward, nervous, and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• If You Run Out of Words

  Sala, Felicita

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  Papa insists he could never run out of words—but what if he did? He imagines all sorts of impossible scenarios. This heart‑warming, expressively illustrated book shows that the love behind three special words never runs out.

• Troubling Tonsils!

  Reynolds, Aaron, 1970-

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  Charlie develops a sore throat and learns what tonsils are and how they work. Strange and humorous incidents follow as he deals with his illness in this eerie and entertaining story.