Books We Love

These are stories we’ve returned to again and again in our families. Their rhythm, warmth, and honesty resonate with both toddlers and the grown-ups who read to them. Some are classics, some are quiet favourites that we had to share. All are part of the conversation around growing up gently.

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Cover of The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd. A small white bunny sits in tall green grass facing a larger bunny under a blue sky, with the title in large white lettering above.

The Runaway Bunny

By Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by Clement Hurd

An imaginative story about a little bunny who wants to run away and a mother who promises she will always find him. Through playful back-and-forth, this classic picture book offers reassurance, connection, and the steady presence of a parent’s love.

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Cover of Mortimer by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko. A child stands on a bed in striped pajamas with arms raised, shouting as colourful musical notes fill the room. Stuffed animals lie around the bed, and the title appears in large bold letters at the top.

Mortimer

By Robert Munsch
Illustrated by Michael Martchenko

A lively, laugh-out-loud story about a boy who refuses to go to sleep, turning bedtime into a full family event. With its repeating lines and playful chaos, this classic read-aloud invites children to join in as Mortimer sings louder and louder, no matter how many times he’s told to be quiet.

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Cover of We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. A family of four walks across a grassy landscape, with a father carrying a child on his shoulders while two children run alongside, one holding a stick. The soft watercolor illustration shows movement and energy against a pale sky background. The title appears in large red text across the top, with the creators’ names at the bottom.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

By Michael Rosen
Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

A playful, rhythmic story that children quickly learn by heart, following a family as they move through grass, mud, and water on an imaginative adventure. With its strong read-aloud flow and expressive illustrations, this modern classic has been loved by families around the world and shared across generations in many languages.

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Cover of The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. A parent walks through a grassy field with two children, all connected by a flowing pink string that forms a large heart across the sky. The title appears inside the heart in playful lettering, with small floating hearts scattered around. Soft pastel colours give the cover a light, spring-like feeling.

The Invisible String

By Patrice Karst
Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

A comforting and widely loved picture book about the invisible connections that keep us close, even when we are apart. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst has reassured families around the world with its message of love, separation, and belonging, making it a meaningful choice for children navigating change, distance, or new routines.

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Cover of Frederick by Leo Lionni. A small grey mouse sits beside two large pale stones while holding a tall green stem with a single red flower. The illustration is done in Leo Lionni’s signature collage style on a soft grey background. The title “Frederick” appears in handwritten script above the mouse, and a silver Caldecott Honor medal is displayed in the top corner.

A beloved classic enjoyed by families around the world, the story of a thoughtful little mouse who gathers sunlight, colours, and words while the other mice prepare for winter. Frederic has been translated into many languages and continues to inspire readers with its celebration of imagination, art, and the power of storytelling.

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Book cover of The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. A small child stands on the left holding a long paintbrush raised high, reaching up to paint a large red and orange watercolor circle in the center of the page. Inside the circle the title “the dot” appears in loose black handwritten lettering. A small paint can sits on the ground near the child. The background is white, and the author’s name, Peter H. Reynolds, curves along the lower right edge. At the top reads the line, “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.”

When a child insists she cannot draw, a teacher encourages her to simply make a mark on the page. That small dot becomes the start of a journey into creativity, confidence, and self-expression. An inspiring picture book that reminds children that everyone can begin somewhere.

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Cover of Julius, the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes. A bright yellow background frames an illustration of a small white mouse wearing glasses and red boots standing on a stool beside a wicker bassinet. Inside the bassinet, a baby mouse sleeps under a patterned blanket. Toys including a ball, block, and spinning top sit nearby. A Caldecott Honor seal appears in the top corner.

A sharp and funny picture book about sibling rivalry and big feelings. When a new baby arrives, Lilly is not impressed. Kevin Henkes captures jealousy, humour, and the complicated love between siblings in a way that feels honest and very real for preschool families.

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Book cover of Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans, featuring the Eiffel Tower in Paris surrounded by tall green trees at dusk. A group of twelve little girls in matching yellow coats and hats walk in two straight lines behind their teacher in a blue cloak. A silver Caldecott Honor medal seal appears on the right side of the cover. Classic 1939 children’s picture book about the brave and independent schoolgirl Madeline.

A bold and beloved classic set in Paris, Madeline follows one small girl with a very big personality. With rhythmic text and iconic illustrations, this timeless story celebrates bravery, independence, and a touch of mischief.

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Cover of Chester by Canadian author and illustrator Mélanie Watt, featuring a large calico cat with green eyes sitting against a pale patterned background. The cat holds a red marker and has scribbled “Place My Award Here” in a dashed circle on the cover. The author’s name appears crossed out and replaced with “Chester,” reflecting the book’s humorous, self-aware style. A small gray mouse stands near the cat’s paw. A bestselling Canadian picture book about creativity, storytelling, and playful rivalry.

A clever, laugh-out-loud Canadian picture book where the main character refuses to stay inside the story. Chester follows a determined cat who hijacks his own book, scribbling corrections, rewriting scenes, and challenging the author at every turn. Playful, smart, and wonderfully self-aware, this modern classic celebrates imagination, creativity, and the joy of storytelling.

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Cover of Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram, featuring a small brown hare standing on its hind legs with arms raised toward a larger parent hare sitting on the grass. The gentle watercolor illustration shows the two rabbits measuring love through playful gestures, with soft green grass and a calm, neutral background. A classic children’s picture book about love, reassurance, and the bond between parent and child.

A tender classic built around one simple question and an ever-growing answer. Through gentle repetition and soft, expressive illustrations, a parent and child measure love in stretches, leaps, and imagination. Perfect for bedtime or moments of reassurance, especially for toddlers navigating separation, big feelings, or new stages of independence.

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Cover of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond, showing a smiling gray mouse wearing blue overalls and holding a large chocolate chip cookie against a bright green background, a classic children’s picture book about cause-and-effect and circular storytelling.

A classic picture book that follows one small request as it leads to a chain of unexpected events. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie uses humour, repetition, and circular storytelling to create a story children love to anticipate and adults enjoy reading aloud again and again.

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Cover of Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, featuring a pale baby bat with wide eyes hanging from a bare tree branch against a deep blue night sky, with small birds flying nearby. A beloved children’s picture book about belonging, difference, and finding your way home.

A beautifully illustrated story about a young bat who is separated from her mother and raised by birds. Stellaluna explores difference, belonging, and the comfort of finding where you truly fit, making it a reassuring favourite for repeated read-alouds.

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Cover of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, featuring a vibrant green caterpillar with a red head made from layered collage-style paper textures on a white background, a defining image from this classic children’s picture book about growth and change.

A timeless picture book that follows a small caterpillar as he eats his way through the days of the week, growing and changing along the way. Loved by generations of families.

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Cover of The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, illustrated picture book showing a small red house in the countryside beneath a smiling sun, winner of the Caldecott Medal, featured in Little Goodbyes Press Books We Love collection.

The Little House follows a small country home as the world changes around it, offering a thoughtful look at time, place, and the passage of generations.

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Cover of Happy New Year, Everywhere! by Arlene Erlbach, illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm, showing bright, festive illustrations including a red dragon, fireworks, candles, drums, and colourful New Year decorations from different cultures surrounding the title.

A lively picture book that explores how children around the world welcome the New Year, highlighting different traditions, sounds, and celebrations through colourful, story-driven illustrations.

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Cover of the picture book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr. A child in a red coat walks through a snowy forest at night beside an adult, their breath visible in the cold air. An owl perches quietly on a tree branch under a deep blue winter sky, creating a calm, reflective mood.

A winter story about a child and parent walking through a snowy forest at night, hoping to see an owl. A wonderful winter story to share.

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Cover of The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. A small child in a red snowsuit stands in deep winter snow, looking down at a line of blue footprints. A bright orange and purple sky fills the background, with a green traffic light on the right. A large gold Caldecott Medal seal appears on the left. The title “The Snowy Day” is printed in bold white letters above the child.

First published in 1962 and beloved ever since, The Snowy Day captures the small discoveries, calm moments, and pure joy that children find in the world around them.

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Cover of Franklin’s New Friend by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark. Franklin the turtle stands outdoors holding a soccer ball and a blue book, wearing a red cap and backpack. He faces a shy-looking young moose who is stepping toward him from the grassy yard. A house with flowers and a blue door sits in the background.

A story about meeting someone new and discovering that first impressions can change. Franklin learns to be curious instead of cautious, and the book handles friendship, differences, and openness with warmth and humour.

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Cover of The Mitten by Jan Brett. A group of winter animals crowd around a single white mitten lying in the snow. A bear peers in from the left, with an owl hovering above it. A rabbit, badger, fox, hedgehog, and tiny mouse watch from the right. Snowy branches frame the scene, and the title “The Mitten” appears in large red letters at the bottom.

One by one, creatures of all sizes squeeze into the mitten until it becomes a cosy hiding place full of surprises. Jan Brett’s detailed artwork and storytelling make this a favourite winter read for families, perfect for sharing with young children who love animals, snow days, and playful tales that grow with each page turn

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Book cover of Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner. The winter scene shows a row of smiling snowmen holding hands and dancing under a glowing full moon at night, with colourful houses and more snowmen in the background. The title “Snowmen at Night” appears in large playful lettering across the center of the cover.

Snowmen at Night imagines what snowmen get up to after dark, revealing a playful nighttime world full of dancing, laughter, and winter magic. With rhythmic text and expressive illustrations, this cozy picture book invites young readers to see familiar winter scenes in a whole new way.

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Cover of The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. A bright blue fish with shiny silver and rainbow-coloured scales swims through an underwater scene with green sea plants and coral.

A modern classic about friendship, generosity, and learning to share what makes us special. With its shimmering scales and gentle message, this story has captivated readers around the world since its first publication in Switzerland.

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Cover of Goodnight, Canada by Andrea Beck, showing a child snuggled under a patchwork quilt with a beaver, moose, and dog beside them, as landmarks like the CN Tower and mountains appear under a starry night sky.

A gentle bedtime journey across the provinces and territories, Goodnight, Canada by Andrea Beck celebrates the beauty and diversity of our country as a child says goodnight from coast to coast. A warm, classic Canadian favourite.

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Book cover of The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier, illustrated by Sheldon Cohen, showing a boy holding up a blue Toronto Maple Leafs hockey sweater as children get dressed into their hockey gear.

A timeless Canadian favourite about identity, belonging, and the heartbreak of being sent the wrong jersey. When Roch dreams of wearing the same Montreal Canadiens sweater as all his friends, a mix-up from Eaton’s delivers a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater instead, and, of course, chaos on the ice follows.

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Cover of Players in Pigtails, a children’s picture book by Shana Corey, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon. The artwork shows a girl in a vintage yellow baseball uniform and blue socks holding a glove on a baseball field, celebrating the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

A joyful tribute to the women who changed the face of baseball, Players in Pigtails tells the story of girls who stepped up to the plate during the 1940s and proved they could play with skill, spirit, and style.

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Cover of Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. The illustration shows a mother duck leading her ducklings in a line across the ground, drawn in a classic sepia-toned sketch style. The title appears in large white letters at the top, with the author’s name beneath.

The story follows Mr. and Mrs. Mallard as they search for the perfect place to raise their ducklings in Boston.

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Cover of the children’s classic “Harold and the Purple Crayon” by Crockett Johnson. The illustration shows Harold, a small boy in blue pajamas, holding a purple crayon that draws looping lines across a black background. A round badge notes the 60th anniversary edition.

With just a purple crayon, Harold creates his own world and adventures, showing children the endless possibilities of storytelling and art.

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Cover of The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by Dan Santat, showing a smiling blue train pulling colorful cars with animals and children, classic children’s book celebrating perseverance and optimism.

This story follows the determined little blue engine who proves that believing in yourself can make even the biggest challenges possible.

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Cover of The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater, showing a bright orange house with green windows, a large orange splash on the roof, and a smiling man looking out the window—classic children’s picture book celebrating creativity and individuality.

This story follows the determined little blue engine who proves that believing in yourself can make even the biggest challenges possible.

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Cover of the children’s book “Franklin in the Dark” by Paulette Bourgeois, illustrated by Brenda Clark. A young green turtle named Franklin sits cross-armed in pajamas beside his large empty shell, looking worried in a dimly lit bedroom with toys, books, and a stuffed turtle nearby.

Franklin in the Dark introduces readers to Franklin the turtle, who is afraid of crawling into his own shell.

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Book cover of Alligator Pie by Dennis Lee, illustrated by Frank Newfeld. The illustration shows a group of children riding in a colourful hot air balloon drifting through the sky, with playful details in Newfeld’s signature whimsical style.

Alligator Pie is a beloved Canadian classic by Dennis Lee, filled with playful rhymes that generations of children have grown up reciting.

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Cover of the picture book “Corduroy” by Don Freeman. A brown teddy bear wearing green overalls stands on a bright pink background, looking at a missing white button on the floor. The title “Corduroy” is written in large yellow letters above him, with a green banner at the top reading “Celebrating 50 Years.”

Corduroy and the rest of the series is a classic first published in 1968, this story follows a teddy bear in green overalls on his search for a missing button.

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Cover of Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. A peddler naps under a tree while a troop of monkeys looks down from the branches, each wearing one of his caps.

A classic tale first published in 1940, Caps for Sale follows a peddler whose neatly stacked caps are stolen by a group of playful monkeys.

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Cover of Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. The illustration shows a young child with tousled hair, peeking out from a blueberry bush while holding a berry. The palette is limited to deep blue and soft yellow, with vintage-style linework. A silver Caldecott Honor medal appears in the top right, and a circular orange badge on the bottom right reads "Celebrating 75 years, 1948–2023." The title is in bold cream-colored text at the bottom. Little Goodbyes Press books we love

A quiet classic that captures the simple joy of picking berries with a parent, Blueberries for Sal celebrates independence, togetherness, and the unexpected ways we mirror each other.

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A wonderful story about perseverance and growing up, told through Peter’s simple goal of learning to whistle.

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Cover of Stella, Star of the Sea by Canadian author Marie-Louise Gay. Illustration of a red-haired girl floating on her back in the water, wearing an orange swimsuit with yellow stripes. The water is a soft turquoise with starfish and seaweed around her. The title “STELLA” appears in large teal letters above, with “Star of the Sea” in smaller script beneath.

A whimsical Canadian classic that follows curious, confident Stella and her little brother Sam on a day at the beach.

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Book cover of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. The illustration shows a large furry Wild Thing with horns sitting peacefully among tall trees by a river, while a small yellow sailboat floats nearby. A gold Caldecott Medal seal is displayed on the bottom left corner.

Max’s journey to the land of the Wild Things has captivated generations with its bold artwork and heartfelt simplicity.

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Cover of Goodnight moon by Margaret Wise Brown Pictures by Clement Hurd

A bedtime favourite that never gets old after 75 years!
Gentle rhymes, soft illustrations, and a peaceful tone that eases little ones toward sleep.

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Cover of The Paper Bag Princess book

Smart, funny, and proudly Canadian.
This one flips the princess story on its head, and we love it.
Timeless even after 40 years!

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A beautifully illustrated adventure with one mischievous bunny.
Classic, charming, and just the right mix of naughty and sweet.
These tiny hardcover books are the perfect size for little hands to hold.

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Another wonderful story by a Canadian author.
This classic book is all about the bond between parent and child.
So many families have shared tears and giggles over this one all over the world.

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A soft and reassuring story about waiting, worry, and the comfort of being reunited.

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A classic for over 65 years! We meet the polite little bear in this book as we follow along on his marmalade-loving misadventures.

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A whimsical, hopeful journey through the ups, downs, and in-betweens of growing up.

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A gentle story of love and reassurance, perfect for little ones facing separation, new routines, or uncertain moments.

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