Recommendations For Children’s Books

If you’re a parent and you’ve been to a bookstore lately, you might have noticed a growing trend in issue oriented books for children. These are books that address topics such as global warming, poverty, and food sustainability. Mary Ito looked at what’s behind this trend with Dory Cerny, Books for Young People Editor at Quill and Quire.

A Good Trade by Alma Fullerton, illustrated by Karen Patkau (Pajama Press, ages 5+). – In this book, a young Ugandan boy embarks, barefoot, on a lengthy journey to get water from the pump located outside of his village. When he receives an unexpected gift from an aid worker who has come to the village square, he devises a meaningful way to say thank you. The message here is clear, but delivered with a soft touch, reminding young readers that not everyone is as fortunate as they are.

—Mary Ito with Dory Cerny for Here and Now Toronto

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