Children’s Books

NEW IN 2024

OCTOBER 29th with
TUNDRA BOOKS

A Debut Novel in Verse

 
 
 

May 7th
with Tundra Books

 
 
 

REVIEWS

“Every worry is addressed and every need is met in this eloquent portrait of the interconnectedness of the living world.” —STARRED REVIEW —Publishers Weekly

From TUNDRA BOOKS:
A touching, playful exploration of empathy and interdependency from an acclaimed author and illustrator.

I’m afraid, Said the leaf. / You’re not alone, Said the tree. But who will comfort a nervous bird, a lonely crab, a lost wolf? How can a horse find warmth, a snail some cheer, a child some rest? Through a series of amusing and soothing exchanges, this deceptively simple and profound picture book depicts different pairings to celebrate interconnectedness and underlines the importance of caring for every living organism to ensure a strong and healthy natural world. I’m Afraid, Said the Leaf invites young readers to understand that we all need each other for support and survival — and that we’re all stronger together.


April 2nd
with Groundwood Books

 
 
 

REVIEWS

“A relevant book for a world dealing with environmental crises.” ★ STARRED REVIEW —Quill & Quire

“… will invite children to relate to trees as teachers and healers ... Tender and thought provoking.” —Kirkus

“Daniel's latest offering invites readers to commune with trees.” —Horn Book


From GROUNDWOOD BOOKS:
Following the success of Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox and Sometimes I Feel Like a River, this companion book explores the nature and beauty of trees.

Twelve lyrical poems look at twelve different trees, from early spring to deep winter. In each poem, a child identifies with a feature of the tree — such as the smooth trunk of a birch whose bark has peeled away, the strong branches of a spruce that shelter small birds or the pink flowers of a cherry blossom that tumble like confetti. The poems provide an opportunity to learn about each tree, inspiring us to look afresh at the trees around us — whether in the schoolyard, neighborhood or park — and get to know them better.

 

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A RIVER

with Groundwood Books

 
 

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER!

★★★★★
Canadian Review of Materials

* Shortlisted for the 2023 IODE Jean Throop Book Award
*2023 TD Summer Reading Club Book Pick

Reviews

“From feeling like the sun rising early and shining one's light on the earth to feeling like thunder as one booms and roars, these beautifully written poems incorporate onomatopoeia and other elements of figurative language to showcase how and why we are connected to marvels of the world. Jose Bisaillon’s imaginative, vibrant illustrations—rendered in a mix of soft and wax pastels, cut paper, colored pencils, gouache, charcoal and digital art—dance across each double-page spread with a playfulness and simplicity that perfectly complements each poem.” —School Library Connection

“This refreshing series of poems reminds us of the natural world we live in and creates a longing to walk amongst the trees and to lie on one’s back and ponder the sky.” —CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Sometimes I Feel Like a River establishes Daniel as a leading author in the mindfulness genre, a growing group of titles focused on helping kids understand their emotions and fall in love with their environments.” —Montreal Review of Books

“Daniel and Bisaillon's splendid collaboration proves to be a powerful invitation to breathe in the great outdoors.” —Shelf Awareness

“These lyrical verses encompass an arc of emotions for each natural setting.” —Canadian Children’s Book News

 

Middle Grade Debut - 2022 - with HarperCollins Canada

 

AWARDS & SPECIAL HONOURS

*2024 Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Awards Nominee

*2023/2024 Red Cedar Book Awards Nominee

*2023/2024 Hackmatack Award Nominee

*2023 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards Nominee

*2023 Silver Birch Fiction Award Nominee

*2023 TD Summer Reading Club Book Pick

*2022 Canadian Children’s Book Centre - A Best Book of the Year

* 2022- OLA Best Bets Book List (Ontario Library Association)

*2022 Northern Lights Book Award - Middle School Book of the Year

*Indigo Best Kids Books of 2022

 

Critical Praise

“… A satisfying adventure story, this is also a sensitive treatment of shifting friendships, emerging sexualities and change.” —The Toronto Star

“Set in Sudbury, Ontario, Forever Birchwood perfectly captures that timeless pre-teen feeling of wanting to hold on tight to what-is while everything—including yourself—changes at breakneck speed. Young readers will root for Wolf every step of way as she fights for her friendships, her family and her beloved Birchwood forest.” — Anna Humphrey

"Forever Birchwood is a wise, funny book, perfect for the smartest mid-grade reader you know. Four best friend set out to save the environment, one tree at a time. Along the way they encounter mystery, family drama, romantic mix-ups, and a community tragedy that will test their friendship like never before. I loved this book." — Annabel Lyon, author of Encore Edie

“In her middle grade debut, Danielle Daniel does a superb job of capturing that adolescent dichotomy of feeling both powerless and powerful. How not to love a girl named Wolf who sets out to save her hometown forest from developers?” — Sara O'Leary, author of This is Sadie

“The simplicity of the text in this rich intergenerational novel belies the complexity and variety of the multiple themes involved. These include Indigenous connections to the environment, the impact of activism on preserving nature, living with loss and grief and the meaning of friendship and trust. These are all viewed from the perspective of young girls experiencing increasing maturity and independence, first love and the uncertainty of emotions that accompany this age.

…Wolf’s narration, realistic in dialogue and emotion, is complemented by believable and rich characterization… The author, of Indigenous descent herself, has created a believable, thought-provoking adventure that completely engrosses the reader and contains plenty of atmosphere and intrigue with a satisfying resolution. Forever Birchwood’s message about the value of history and conservation is easily absorbed in this battle between good and evil and small versus mighty. Readers will love this story of spunky girls approaching their teens who, against all odds, face down corruption.” Highly Recommended—Canadian Review of Materials ✰✰✰✰

AWARDS, PRAISE & SELECTED INTERVIEWS

Picture Books

Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox

AWARDS & HONOURS

2016 WINNER of the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
2017 SHORTLISTED for the Blue Spruce Award
2016 TOP Recommended Reads TD Summer Reading Club
2015 Selected for the 49th Shelf Favourite Pictures Books of the Year
2016 Finalist for the First Nations Communities Read Award
2016 Selected for the CCBC Best Books for Children and Teens
2019 Selected as a Favourite Picture Book of the past DECADE from the Canadian Children’s Book Centre
2015 Selection for '100 Notable Titles of the Year for Reading and Sharing' New York Public Library

REVIEWS

"Every so often a picture book comes along that is so beautiful in its simplicity it breathes a pocket of stillness into our busy lives and inspires thoughtful reflection long after the final page is read... Reminds readers of the importance of critical self-reflection and of our connection to the animal world — two ideas worth championing at any age." Quill & Quire, STARRED REVIEW

"The ideas inside unfurl outside the pages into readers’ own imaginative worlds." The Boston Globe

"The stylized masks, soft colours and big eyes of the children convey a seriousness, almost an otherworldliness, to the animal/human relationship.  This is informative — but it’s also haunting and thought-provoking in its orientation to the animal world." The Toronto Star

"Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox is lovely and captivating and can so easily reach beyond the gorgeous artwork and natural similes to draw readers into discussions of family and clans, of spirit guides and of introspection and self-awareness. An amazing feat for “just” a little picture book." 
Can Lit For Little Canadians

Selected as one of the"Most Anticipated Fall 2015 Books for Young People" 49th Shelf

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FRENCH EDITION:
Parfois je suis un renard

AWARDS

* En lice pour le Prix Peuplier 2019 * Nominated for the 2019 Prix Peuplier

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List of Picture Books

Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox, Groundwood Books, 2015
Once in a Blue Moon, Groundwood Books, 2017
You Hold Me Up, Orca Books, 2017
Parfois je suis un renard, Éducation Scholastic, 2018
You Hold Me Up, In Plains Cree & English, 2018

 

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Once in a Blue Moon

REVIEWS

Most Anticipated Fall 2017 Books For Young Readers List!

YOUTH SERVICES BOOK REVIEW

"The overriding message is a worthy one – remember to notice the simple wonders that happen around us every day and regard them with the reverence they deserve."

KIRKUS REVIEW

"Four-line poems lend a magical quality to a series of simple experiences witnessed once in a blue moon. Daniel's childlike illustrations, done in pencil and colored with flat fields of acrylic gouache in rich colors, accompany each poem, serving to frame moments in nature as special events. The format allows readers to go slowly and serves as an excellent way for children to become aware of nonrhyming poetic forms. It also conveys the sense of wonder that comes when taking a quiet moment to appreciate that which is not immediately "entertaining" in the modern sense. The repetition of the titular phrase, "Once in a blue moon," and brevity of each poem make for a soothing bedtime read-aloud, but the book will also work well as a calm break in a busy day, and it is ripe with inspirations for further activities such as painting a similar scene and writing nonrhyming verses to reflect serene moments. Each "I" in the book can apply to children from many walks of life, as those depicted have different skin colors and hair textures and are in different environments in nature. Many may be close to readers' own accessible experiences, while those that are different can inspire imagination about how other kids see the world. Daniel has enabled a full deep breath on every page of this gentle, relaxing book, which engages without overloading and lends a specialness to things too easy to miss in the natural world. (Picture book. 4-7)"

CAN LIT FOR LITTLE CANADIANS

"Once in a Blue Moon shines light on nature's wonders . . . Danielle Daniel has given us a picture book to encourage appreciation of what we do have and are able to behold regularly in Canada."