Over the course of three instalments, Q&Q presents the young readers titles we’re most excited about this fall. This week’s instalment features picture books. Middle grade and graphic novels will be featured next week, with young adult and nonfiction to be featured on Aug. 7. 

Q&Q’s fall preview covers books published between July 1 and Dec. 31. 2024. All information (titles, publication dates) was supplied by publishers.

Noodles on a Bicycle
Kyo Maclear and Gracey Zhang, ill.
Random House Studio, Aug.

This historical picture book by dynamic duo Kyo Maclear and Gracey Zhang celebrates Tokyo’s bicycle food delivery men, or demae, who whiz and soar through traffic while balancing trays of steaming hot noodles destined for hungry customers across the city. –Inderjit Deogun

Getting Glam at Gram’s
Sara Weed and Erin Hawryluk, ill.
Arsenal Pulp Press, Sept.

Alex can’t wait for Sunday dinner with all their cousins at Gram’s house. It’s their chance to rummage through Gram’s wardrobe, which is filled with styles from different decades, and put on a fashion show. Getting Glam at Gram’s is a heartwarming picture book that celebrates diversity and gender expression. –ID

A Face Is a Poem
Julie Morstad
Tundra Books, Sept. 

Acclaimed author-illustrator Julie Morstad’s latest stunner of a conceptual picture book is a mind-expanding mediation on the unique eyes, noses, mouths, freckles, wrinkles, scars, and other one-of-a-kind features that make up a face. Celebrating body positivity and self-identity, the playful text and imaginative artwork invite a close-up look at a variety of visages. –Linda Ludke

Muhammad’s Recipe for Remembering
Maidah Ahmad and Shruti Prabhu, ill.
Annick Press, Sept. 

A Muslim boy learns about his ancestors’ contributions in the World Wars and is determined to keep their stories alive in this moving picture book by Barrie, Ontario, educator and author Maidah Ahmad. Backmatter commemorates the sacrifices made by Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu soldiers who served, and provides further historical context on this rarely explored topic. –LL

What’s in Alanna’s Secret Sauce
Sarah Jane Conklin and Venus Angelica, ill.
Monster House Publishing, Aug.

Using ingredients grown in their garden, Alanna makes a scrumptious sauce with her Nana. But, when Nana keeps inviting passersby for dinner, Alanna fears there won’t be enough for everyone, including her. This delightful tale of community and sharing features vibrant illustrations by Toronto-born illustrator Venus Angelica. –ID

These fall titles bring real-life events to the page. –ID

Eli and the Real, Live, Dead Mummy by Sam Fisher and Judy Hilgemann, ill. (Red Deer Press, Oct.) | The Moon’s Journey by Beryl Young and Sean Huang, ill. (Red Deer Press, Oct.)

Snow Day
Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird and Ashley Thimot, ill.
Nimbus Publishing, Oct. 

In mixed-Cree journalist, editor, and book podcast host Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird’s poetic debut, an Indigenous family revels in the wonder and excitement that wintry weather brings.  Ashley Thimot’s realistically detailed gouache and coloured pencil illustrations warmly capture a young girl having a ball playing outside in the snow. –LL

Mandeep’s Cloudy Days
Kuljinder Kaur Brar and Samrath Kaur, ill.
Annick Press, Sept.

The duo behind My Name Is Saajin Singh returns with Mandeep’s Cloudy Days. When Mandeep’s dad starts a new job, she misses their cha parties and Bhangra shows terribly, making her once sunny days cloudy. This poignant story about father-daughter relationships illustrates how we can cope with being separated from those we love. –ID 

What Inspires
Alison Hughes and Ellen Rooney, ill.
Orca Book Publishers, Sept. 

Governor General’s Literary Award nominee Alison Hughes’s latest picture book celebrates open-ended, device-free play. Kids at a park watch maple keys spiralling into the air, which leads to imaginative movements of their own and kick-starts community connections and creative collaborations. Ellen Rooney’s (Grandmother School) dynamic illustrations complement the energetic text. –LL

This Land Is a Lullaby
Tonya Simpson and Delreé Dumont, ill.
Orca Book Publishers, Sept.

Written for the author’s daughter, This Land Is a Lullaby honours the land and the spiritual connection between Indigenous children, their ancestors, and their Traditional Territories while lulling children to sleep. Exquisite pointillism artwork by Delreé Dumont brings dragonflies, thunderclouds, and grasses to life. –ID

New additions to picture book series sure to please young readers. –LL

Moonbeam Meets the Medicine Man by Gail Francis and Emma Hassencahl-Perley, ill. (Monster House Publishing, Nov.) | How to Staycation Like a Snail by Naseem Hrab and Kelly Collier, ill. (Owlkids Books, Sept.) | I Hear You, Mountains by Kallie George and Carmen Mok, ill. (Greystone Books, Sept.) | Tanna’s Puppy by Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley and Michelle Simpson, ill.  (Inhabit Media, Oct.)

Momma’s Going to March
Jennifer Maruno and Vivian Rosas, ill.
Groundwood Books, Aug. 

Accompanying their mothers at peaceful demonstrations, children come to know about civic engagement and the importance of advocating for issues they believe in. Burlington, Ontario, author Jennifer Maruno’s endnotes offer insight into the historical marches that inspired this story. Toronto illustrator and muralist Vivian Rosas’s bright, bold, stylized artwork supports the rhythmic text beat for beat. –LL

Bannock in a Hammock
Masiana Kelly and Amiel Sandland, ill.
Inhabit Media, Sept.

Whether it is big or small, sweet or savoury, or eaten with stew or with sprinkles, Inuk/Dene writer Masiana Kelly (We Love You as Much as the Fox Loves Its Tail) celebrates bannock, a favourite Inuit food – and the many ways to enjoy it – in this rhyming picture book. –ID

It’s Okay, Just Ask     
Monique Leonardo Carlos and Salini Perera, ill.
Owlkids Books, Oct.

In this child-centred look at being a newcomer, a young girl is filled with questions when she and her family emigrate to a new country. Her mother’s refrain of it’s okay, just ask allows the young girl to do just that, which leads to discovery and understanding about her new community and herself. –ID

Two picture books that celebrate holidays from around the world. –ID

Lemming’s First Christmas by Jamesie Fournier and Tim Mack, ill. (Inhabit Media, Oct.) | The Light from My Menorah by Robin Heald and Andrea Blinick, ill. (Pajama Press, Sept.)

Kuekuatsheu Creates the World
Annie Picard and Elizabeth Jancewicz, ill.; Anne Nuna, trans.
Running the Goat & Mamu Tshishkutamashutau Innu Education, Oct.

Innu author Annie Picard shares a traditional creation story passed down to her by her maternal grandmother. This dual-language English/Innu-aimun (Sheshatshiu and Mushuau dialect) picture book speaks about the resilience, sacrifice, and friendship shown by little muskrat who helps Kuekuatsheu (wolverine) rebuild the world after a flood. Elizabeth Jancewicz contributes expressive ink and watercolour illustrations. –LL

The Animal People Choose a Leader
Richard Wagamese and Bridget George, ill.
Douglas & McIntyre, Oct.

From late author Richard Wagamese comes a story of a time when animals shared a common language and gathered to pick their leader, and a race is set for the challengers – Horse, Buffalo, Cougar, Wolverine, and Rabbit – to settle the matter. Themes of kindness, humility, empathy, and love are explored in this picture book illustrated by Anishinaabe artist Bridget George. –ID

Courage Every Day
Wai Mei Wong, Kirsti Beautyman, ill.
Tilbury House, Sept. 

In this comforting, social-emotional conversation starter by former early childhood educator Wai Mei Wong, a little girl learns from her Papa that courage comes in many forms – big, heroic acts as well as small, everyday choices. A note for parents on helping children develop their own sense of courage is included in the backmatter. –LL

The Hawk Shadow
Jan Bourdeau Waboose and Karlene Harvey, ill.
Kids Can Press, Sept. 

Bestselling author Jan Bourdeau Waboose (SkySisters) showcases Ojibwe words and cultural practices in her latest picture book, which follows two Anishinaabe siblings making their way through the bush to go fishing at Hawk River. Karlene Harvey’s brightly hued artwork conveys the vibrancy of the natural world. –LL

Barnaby Unboxed!
Terry Fan, Eric Fan, and Devin Fan
Tundra Books, Sept.

The Governor General’s Literary Award–winning Fan Brothers return with a standalone picture book set in the world of The Barnabus Project. Barnaby, half mouse and half elephant, with a dash of flamingo, is brought home by a little girl. But when a new pet enters the scene, Barnaby, feeling unloved, runs away in search of home and love. –ID

It Bears Repeating
Tanya Tagaq and Cee Pootoogook, ill.
Tundra Books, Aug. 

Inuk writer and Juno Award–winning throat singer Tanya Tagaq’s first children’s book teaches readers to count in Inuktitut and English. From one to 10, polar bears stretch, slide, and swim their way through the icy Arctic landscape in Inuk artist Cee Pootoogook’s precise, textured drawings. –LL

With nifty tactile features, these interactive books invite participation and encourage reflection. –LL 

The Museum of Very Bad Smells: A Dare to Scratch “n” Sniff Mystery by Monica Arnaldo (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books, July) | Mad at Dad by Janie Hao  (Kids Can Press, Oct.)