Books published by publisher Cricket Cottage Publishing

On a trip to Chinatown, 13-year-old Jasmine steps through a doorway back in time and finds herself in the 1880s. 1994 Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize - Winner 1994 Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award - Runner-Up 1995 Silver Birch Award - Shortlisted CCBC’s Best Books for Kids & Teens (Spring 2017) Selection Jasmine is not sure she likes the idea of being stuck in Victoria while her father goes to China. But on a field trip to Chinatown, she changes her mind. Passing through a doorway in Fan Tan Alley, she mysteriously finds herself in the early 1880s. Adventure begins with a new friend, a journey to the Fraser Canyon during the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and a search for an ancient amulet. But Jasmine is not the only one searching for the white jade tiger....

Sixteen-year-old River Doe is your average bookworm. Her favorite book series, The Legend of Bellecross, has always felt more like home to her than her real home. Her parents were okay, she guessed, but they just didn't understand her. Her best friend, Nuria Ryze, was the only person who really did. The truth was that real life was boring—that is, until her life was turned upside down and she was taken somewhere she never expected. This seemingly normal girl finds out, in the "fictional" land of Ilithia, that she is actually the great-granddaughter of the protagonist in her favorite books. Follow River Bellecross as she uncovers the mysteries of her past. Join her as she meets her true family and forms new friendships with her people. Watch her grow into the Bellecross she was meant to be. Her fate is in her hands now. Can she survive?

The Old Ones are out there, waiting, and trying to get back into our dimension. All that separates us from them is a barrier known as the sieve. Thirteen-year-old Coriander Jones, her best friend Sam and little sister Autumn are expecting another summer as usual at Camp Happy Haven, a rundown summer camp subsidized for “lower income children.” But after the bus ride to camp turns into a battle for their very lives, Coriander discovers she is part of a mysterious, centuries-old organization that defends our world against the return of the “Old Ones,” deities that pre date written or even spoken history. Angry at being forgotten and replaced over the eons, they want to breach the sieve and re-establish their control over humanity. Along with Sam and Autumn, Coriander must work with her arch nemesis, the formerly wealthy Olivia, and the mysterious teenager, Cole, to save the world from being thrown into chaos and despair. In between discovering her own unique powers and trying to uncover Cole’s secret agenda, Coriander must also juggle endless bureaucratic paperwork, nosy counselors, homicidal maintenance men, and the first annual Camp Happy Haven Color War. If she survives all that, maybe she’ll have time to save the world.

On a warm June afternoon, ten-year-old Drew – shy, scared, and a gifted artist – escapes some bullies and his bickering parents by crawling into a cave.Miss Jane Guess-Talt, a seemingly kind lady, brings him into her world, and teaches him how to make water walking shoes. In an effort to help her grow her world, he water walks across the Ocean of Tears to reach the Land of the Dragons. After meeting submarine captain Paul and his giant pet mice (Peter and Mary), Drew climbs the Cliffs of Celeste, and is imprisoned by the (ver)-Ticals for being a (hori)-Zontal.He speaks with the dragons, and tries to convince them to let Miss Jane go to the other realms. They fear she wants to conquer all of the magical worlds, and Drew vows to learn the truth. Slipping back to Miss Jane’s island home, he rescues the other children she’s imprisoned, and together they battle her in an effort to escape.

The Seven Sacred Teachings is a message of traditional values and hope for the future. The Teachings are universal to most First Nation peoples. These Teachings are aboriginal communities from coast to coast. They are a link that ties First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities together.David Bouchard is Canada’s most renowned and awarded Métis author. Dr. Joseph Martin has spent his life coming to understand the Sacred Teachings. Métis Kristy Cameron took a year out of her life to interpret the Teachings through her art. Swampfox has created seven flutes out of seven different woods, each in the key that is consistent with a particular Teaching. This master flute maker then dreamed seven songs to accompany this telling.Rooted in humility and honesty, the creators have tried to respect the cultures and traditions of all peoples. It is our hope that this telling will unite and thus heal divisions. Prophecies tell that this is the time for One Heart, One Mind and One Drum. We, readers and authors alike, are the ones we have been waiting for. There is nobody else who can revitalize our culture and values except ourselves.It is our hope that this telling might move readers toward greater courage and wisdom and ultimately toward achieving and understanding what is true in life’s journey.

Funny Children’s Poems About Self-Image features rhyming poems on the subjects of good grooming, dental hygiene, physical features, personal expression, and many other issues of importance to young children. Through amusing rhymes and fun illustrations, early readers can improve reading skills and boost vocabulary while exploring ideas relating to their everyday lives. Parents can read this book to children, children can read to parents, or children can read by themselves. Your child will love it (and learn from it) whichever way they choose.

Reggie and Rocky the Ring-tailed Raccoons is a heart-warming story about those mischievous creatures who steal our trash and our hearts. This simple story is great for a storybook or a first reader. Included in the book is information about raccoons that will assist teachers and parents to teach children more about these cuties. There are also many coloring pages for the child to participate in the beautiful art.

I am often asked how a person comes to know their totem. When I am, I answer by asking this question: "If at night, before you close your eyes to travel to your dream time, if then you picture one of your wild cousins to whom you might ask guidance or give thanks, what would it be?" More often than not, your totem will be there, right before your eyes. You do not have to get fancy, just close your eyes and let it come to you. Chances are it will. It did for me. Written by Métis author, David Bouchard and illustrated by west coast First Nations artist Andy Everson, I Am Raven explores the world of totems and animal spirit guides. A great, kind and wise chief decides to erect a new totem pole. Knowing that he will soon die, the chief wants the pole to be representative of him but also to reflect the importance of others in his life. A series of birds and animals then try to convince the chief that their image should be carved into the chief’s totem pole.I am Raven was the winner of the 2008 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Gold Medal for Best Multicultural Picture Book.

The most romantic penguin tale ever told!Here is the classic tale of Cinderella, featuring a cast of penguins. Poor Cinderella Penguin. Her stepmother and stepsisters are off to the Penguin Prince's ball, and she's left behind and feeling very sad. That is, until the Great Fairy Penguin arrives to grant her greatest wish. Cinderella Penguin is going to the ball! Based on the Academy Award-nominated NFB animated film, this is a Cinderella story for the 21st century. Recommended reading ages 4 – 8

Beverlee Beaz, the brown Burmese, longs for adventure and has the powerful imagination to make it happen! On a lovely but otherwise ordinary day, she seeks excitement among the forests and fields surrounding her home, where she lets her imagination run wild. The ordinary suddenly becomes extraordinary in the eyes of this little brown cat. Let’s follow Beverlee on her adventure…through the forest, and inside her mind!