Books published by publisher Greystone Kids

Based on the New York Times bestseller The Hidden Life of Trees, this interactive introduction to the forest shares outdoor activities kids can do on their own or with parents—plus quizzes, photographs, fun facts, and more!Did you know that trees have parents and grandparents who have wrinkles? Did you know that tree kids go to school for hundreds of years? Did you know about the forest internet? Did you know trees make us healthy and strong? Sometimes, even trees get sick, but we can help them get better.Can You Hear the Trees Talking? shares all the mysteries and magic of the forest with language and learning tools that kids will love and understand. Featuring simple activities kids can try on their own or with parents, along with quizzes, photographs, and more, this wonderful book encourages at-home learning and fun as kids discover the wonder of the natural world outside their windows."Lush full-color photos and pictures create an immersive experience and the layout facilitates engaged, delighted learning. ...this book may prompt frequent family visits to, and a new appreciation for, neighborhood trees and local forests.” —Washington Parent

An American Indian Youth Literature Honor TitleA Best Book of the Year in Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn BookA 2020 Boston Globe—Horn Book Award Honor Title“Cree-Métis author/illustrator Julie Flett's smooth and lyrical words and gorgeous... images truly capture the warmth and solidarity of the female protagonists in this tender intergenerational friendship story.”—The Horn Book When a young girl moves from the country to a small town, she feels lonely and out of place. But soon she meets an elderly woman next door, who shares her love of arts and crafts. Can the girl navigate the changing seasons and failing health of her new friend? Acclaimed author and artist Julie Flett’s textured images of birds, flowers, art, and landscapes bring vibrancy and warmth to this powerful story, which highlights the fulfillment of intergenerational relationships and shared passions.An activity guide is available at for FREE download. A brief glossary and pronunciation guide to Cree words that appear in the text is provided on the copyright page.“Cycling from spring to spring, [Julie Flett’s] subtle, sensitive story delicately traces filaments of growth and loss through intergenerational friendship, art making, and changing moons and seasons.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

This inspiring children’s book is based on a South American indigenous story about a courageous hummingbird who defies fear and expectations in her attempt to save the forest from fire. The illustrated story is supplemented by a natural and cultural history of hummingbirds, as well as an inspiring message from Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. The evocative artwork by internationally renowned Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas complements this optimistic tale that encourages everyone to take responsibility for their home and the planet.

“Clever and effective for the pre- and primary school nature shelves.”—Kirkus In the vein of Jack Prelutsky and Dennis Lee comes a celebration of the sky with thirty zippy poems that will lift kids’ spirits and let their imaginations soar.What do you see when you look up at the sky? In this “lyrical” picture book (Booklist) for ages 3-8, the award-winning and critically-acclaimed children’s poet, Robert Heidbreder, shares thirty memorable poems that capture the magic and beauty of all the wonderful things kids can see when they gaze at the sky. Gorgeous illustrations by artist and naturalist Emily Dove depict a diverse cast of children playing and cheering under a sky filled with birds and balloons, snow and shooting stars, sunflowers and falling leaves, and helicopters and kites.“A multicultural cast of children are shown reveling in the outdoors. Readers are encouraged to observe and appreciate the natural world around them.”—Booklist

A book to inspire children to look for treasures in the great outdoors, where everyday objects take on new, magical meanings with a little imagination. “Alive with modest wonder—a treasure.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Little Bear is a treasure finder. And he finds the most wonderful things: a shiny button, a tickly feather, a cozy hiding place, a tree to scratch, and even a shy, soft piece of lint. The other animals, however, don’t understand Little Bear’s treasures. “Just junk,” they say. Except for one… When Little Bear meets Little Bird, it’s the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Together, Little Bear just might discover his best treasure yet. Poetic, affectionate, funny, and captivatingly illustrated, this gorgeous picture book is a treasure itself.

From the author of the New York Times-bestseller The Hidden Life of Trees comes this spirited picture book, which shares the true story of how trees communicate, feel, and grow.“A beautiful reminder of the importance of preserving natural forests and landscapes for the benefit of all the creatures who live there.”—School Library Journal starred reviewPiet the squirrel feels all alone in his forest home. Luckily, Peter the Forester has the perfect plan to cheer him up: a search for tree children. You can’t be lonely in a forest full of friends! As they wander, Peter shares amazing facts about trees, how they communicate and care for each other, and the struggles they endure. Soon, the little squirrel is feeling much better—especially when he realizes he’s helped the tree children grow.This environmentally conscious picture book, written by acclaimed author and forester Peter Wohlleben, brings the majesty of The Hidden Life of Trees to the youngest of readers everywhere.

For fans of Taro Gomi’s Everyone Poops and Matthew Van Fleet’s Tails, this cheeky, whimsical picture book for ages 3-7 inspires self-love and body positivity, plus a whole lot of laughter and fun!All bottoms are wonderful! Don’t you agree? Each animal in this adorable book has a different reason for loving their behind—from cute and round to fashionable and striped! Talented illustrator Maki Saito makes kids laugh out loud with playful illustrations of the backsides of hippos, zebras, pandas, mandrills, and more of our favorite animals. Her traditional Japanese art techniques add a sophisticated, beautiful feel to a book about … animal butts! Kids will love readling along to this wonderfully silly and unusually empowering book.“In Saito’s delicate renderings, each bottom is distinct and, yes, beautiful.”— Kirkus

As Stompin’ Tom Connors sings, “It’s the good old hockey game, the best game you can name.” And in this charmingly illustrated book for all ages, the classic song played at hockey games around the world is imagined as a shinny game on an outdoor rink in the middle of the city that starts with two players and soon grows to include the whole community. “The puck is in! The hometown wins! The good ol’ hockey game.”

A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year, and a Junior Library Guide Selection! From one of China’s most beloved, bestselling children’s authors comes this touching story of friendship and empathy, which celebrates the traditional way of life for the Indigenous Ewenki peoples of Mongolia. When a Mongolian elder named Gree Shrek hunts a female moose by mistake, her young calf is left behind. Saddened by her loss, Gree Shrek names the calf Xiao Han (“Little Moose”) and the moose and man form an authentic attachment. Xiao Han accompanies Gree Shrek as the hunter-gatherer herds reindeer, sets up camp, forages for food in the forest, and visits his peoples’ village, where many fun adventures happen. But as the little moose grows bigger, Gree Shrek knows he must return his companion to the forest. Richly detailed, painterly illustrations by Chinese fine artist Jiu’er bring authenticity and beauty to this thoughtful book, which illuminates the traditional and vanishing way of life for the Ewenki peoples of Inner Mongolia.

One fall day, Kate goes with her father, a fish biologist, to the river where he works — a river in the Pacific rain forest — the “salmon forest,” as he calls it. Together they watch the sockeye salmon returning to the river to spawn, and witness a bear scooping up a salmon. Next, Kate and her dad run into a Native boy named Brett and his family fishing at a pool in the river. From her adventures, Kate discovers how the forest and the salmon need each other and why the forest is called the salmon forest. David Suzuki and Sarah Ellis’s charming and informative text and Sheena Lott’s watercolors magically evoke the spirit and mystery of the West Coast rain forest.

Young and old alike will cheer and sing along with this heartfelt picture book about pet adoption based on a new song by Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie. In this tender and moving picture book, a puppy is looking for someone to love him. Will the girl who rescues him convince her parents to let her keep the little dog? Buffy Sainte-Marie advocates “putting the songs to work” and, like her other lyrics, Hey Little Rockabye conveys an important message about finding love and acceptance. Brought to life in charming illustrations by Ben Hodson, Hey Little Rockabye shares a not-yet-released song with the world for the first time. With the release of the first-ever recording to coincide with the publication of the book, Hey Little Rockabye can now be read—or sung—by old and young alike for years to come.

For city kids like Sophie and Matthew, growing pumpkins is a big thrill.But they're worried. They know they need bees to make their pumpkins grow, but will the bees find their garden? Are there even bees in the city?So one day, Grandpa and the children set out to look for bees. They arrive downtown just in time to see something amazing: a buzzing ball of bees hovers from the branch of a nearby tree. And high on the terrace of a towering hotel are four brightly coloured beehives!For Matthew and Sophie, this is the beginning of an exciting adventure. All summer they tend their plants, eagerly watching as their seeds sprout and turn into shoots, then vines and leaves. But they're still worried. Will the bees come when they're needed?Finally, the golden pumpkin flowers appear among the leaves. The female flowers will be open for just one day, and Matthew and Sophie arrive at the garden early in the morning to wait and watch. Will the bees arrive in time to pollinate the plants?