Orca Book Publishers

Canadian stories. Canadian creators. Canadian owned. 🇨🇦 Founded in 1984, Orca Book Publishers is an independent Canadian children’s book publisher.

The True Story of Vanilla by Ann Richards and Arden Taylor has won the Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction! 🎉 “Will leave readers impressed that someone so young could make such a monumental discovery” —@kidsbookcentre.bsky.social award jury

I Won't Feel This Way Forever by Kim Spencer has won the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction For Young People! 🎉 “A heartwarming story of a family pulling together and taking care of each other in a time of grief.” — @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social award jury

Ghosts, monsters, skeletons and werewolves…oh my! But wait, these Halloween books get into the fun of the season without any of the frights. Check out these not-scary Halloween book picks perfect for seasonal story time with kids. blog.orcabook.com/6-not-scary-...

Bring on the scary stories! 👻 The Orca Shivers series offers fast-paced, quick reads that will thrill middle-grade readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. blog.orcabook.com/5-thriller-b...

In Heather Camlot’s Beyond Words, readers learn the fascinating history of symbols and the power they have in our world. Read the Orca Blog to hear the author discuss her inspiration, research and what she hopes young readers take away from the book. blog.orcabook.com/beyond-words...

Whether you are preparing to welcome a baby or are looking for a gift for new parents, these baby books have loving messages that will resonate with any reader. ❤️ blog.orcabook.com/baby-books-f...

This week's Educator Newsletter looks at new books for ocean animal lovers! conta.cc/4hLKAgM

In Maria de Bueil’s new picture book for kids, a girl and her father go ice fishing on a lake in the mountains. After a bit of waiting, they catch some spotted trout to bring home for dinner. Read on for Maria’s tips on how you can start ice fishing this winter! blog.orcabook.com/ice-fishing-...

Learn more about Orca Shivers in our latest Educator Newsletter! These fast-paced, quick reads are recommended for readers who love Goosebumps or want a story that’s “actually scary”. And perfect for Halloween displays! conta.cc/4xJPkZl

📣 Banned Books Week is a good time to read, borrow and share challenged or banned books to show your support against bans! See our list of picture books that have been challenged or banned on the Orca Blog. blog.orcabook.com/kids-books-f...

Hear author Troy Wilson's 10 friendly facts about his new picture book Still Friends! This sweet story is about an unlikely friendship between a dog and a statue. blog.orcabook.com/troy-wilsons...

Help younger generations learn and think about science and sustainability practices with these local books: www.readlocalbc.ca/2026/10/08/t... @orcabook.bsky.social @heritagehouse.bsky.social

Blanket Saves the Day is Sara Cassidy’s third wordless picture book. Read the Orca Blog to hear about how she crafts a wordless picture book and why kids should give them a try! blog.orcabook.com/sara-cassidy...

In Elizabeth Withey's new picture book, More Us, a boy is happy that his uncle is moving in with him and his mom after years of living on the streets. Hear more from the author about what inspired this moving and personal story on the Orca Blog. blog.orcabook.com/elizabeth-wi...

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. In recognition of this important day we are highlighting books by Indigenous creators that can help young readers of all ages on the journey toward reconciliation. blog.orcabook.com/kids-books-f...

Congrats to All About Us by Hannalora Leavitt and Stef Wong for @orcabook.bsky.social! It's been shortlisted for our Goddard Riverside CBC Youth Book Prize for Social Justice. #GoddardBookPrizes

Your source for picture books that spark imagination! Check out these new picture books that celebrate the power of playing make-believe to help us make friends, dream big and create new worlds and stories. conta.cc/3TK6XtE

Author Elizabeth MacLeod was on CBC Radio talking about kindness and her new book for kids Be Kind: It Can Change Everything. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-52-radio-active/clip/16232464-the-importance-kindness

Publishing for young readers in September, I Am Indigenous is a unique and thoughtful picture book that explores what it means to be Indigenous. Hear from Orca designer Dahlia Yuen on this book's design process and what it was like to work on. blog.orcabook.com/inside-the-o...

The Brianna Banana chapter book series is FULL of fun characters, hilarious moments and gentle learning opportunities. Hear from author Lana Button on how she mixes Brianna Banana's big laughs with social-emotional learning for kids. blog.orcabook.com/brianna-bana...

Book three in the Brianna Banana chapter book series is almost here! Hear from illustrator Suharu Ogawa on how she brought the hilarious moments and quirky characters of Brianna Banana to life. blog.orcabook.com/illustrating...

Inspire kids to play with their imaginations with these three creative picture books! Captivatingly illustrated, these imaginative stories are perfect for little dreamers aged 3–5. blog.orcabook.com/3-picture-bo...

The Color of My Difference by Mc Knoell Alexis is featured on CBC's list of Canadian books for tweens and teens! This powerful novel in verse follows a boy who moves to a new school where he is one of the only Black kids. Full list: www.cbc.ca/books/fall-books-preview-teens-tweens-2026-9.7295576

From dark academia to sci-fi adventures, Orca Soundings books are fast-paced with gripping storylines. These accessible books are great choices for: ➡️ Teens who are building reading skills ➡️ Teens who want a quick read or say they don't like to read! blog.orcabook.com/7-accessible...

Two of our upcoming fall tiles are featured in School Library Journal's must-have list of nonfiction books for tweens and teens! www.slj.com/story/30-must-have-nonfiction-for-tween-and-teen-information-hounds-slj-2026-stars-so-far

Orca is expanding our hi-lo offerings for middle-grade readers! Our popular Orca Currents are being released in the new Noah Text® edition. These books offer a new accessibility feature proven to assist readers with dyslexia and improve readers’ fluency! blog.orcabook.com/a-guide-to-o...

Teens who say they don't like to read need books that meet them where they are at. The Orca Anchor line does just that with short, engaging plots and relatable characters! blog.orcabook.com/8-short-book...

The seventh book in the Sueño Bay Adventures series is coming out soon! Learn more about these gripping graphic novels for young readers from their creators Nancy Deas and Mike Deas. blog.orcabook.com/qa-with-howl...

A Summerween booklist for middle-grade readers! From spunky sleuths to talking dogs, these books feature fun protagonists and suspensful storylines that will keep any reader aged 9–12 on the edge of their seat. blog.orcabook.com/5-middle-gra...

Orca Currents books are best for middle-grade readers who want engaging stories without dense text, especially striving and reluctant readers! With mysteries, magical stories and more, Orca Currents has the next book for the young reader in your life. blog.orcabook.com/fun-books-fo...

Teens who don’t like to read just haven’t found the right book yet! With short, engaging plots, Orca Anchor books can help build up reading skill in kids 12+. From mini rom-coms to captivating thrillers, Orca Anchor books are perfect for reluctant readers. blog.orcabook.com/8-short-book...

From hilarious coming-of-age stories to sweet hi-lo romcoms, these middle-grade novels will get kids reading this summer! blog.orcabook.com/5-middle-gra...

From solving crimes to accidentally releasing witches, these middle-grade mystery novels are suspenseful enough to keep any reader on the edge of their seat! blog.orcabook.com/5-middle-gra...

Kim Spencer's I Won't Feel This Way Forever is featured on CBC Books' list of Canadian books for tweens and teens to read this summer! A follow-up to the award-winning Weird Rules to Follow, this book continues Mia's story during a summer of self discovery and loss. www.cbc.ca/books/kids/1...

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Gail Bowen. Among her many accomplishments, Gail was a talented author, and Orca is proud to have published four of her novels for striving readers. We are grateful to have known this wonderful person and for the gift of story she gave the world.

Picture books can be a helpful tool to start conversations with children about death and mourning. These thoughtful and moving books can help lead young ones to understanding and aid in the healing process. 🩵 blog.orcabook.com/7-picture-bo...

Inspire young kids' love of the ocean with these fact-filled books! These ocean nonfiction picture books are well-researched and accompanied by stunning illustrations for readers aged 9—12. blog.orcabook.com/nonfiction-o...

Take a peek at these 5 middle-grade novels for summer reading! Perfect for readers aged 9–13, these books feature problem-solving protagonists and a big dose of screen-free entertainment for the longer days. blog.orcabook.com/5-middle-gra...

We've got stars in our eyes for this list of star-reviewed books! 🤩 Check out our last Educator Newsletter of the school year to discover our starred-reviewed books of 2026 so far. conta.cc/4uxAlAI

CBC has listed Weird Rules to Follow and One Beaded Earring on its list of 12 books for young readers to read during Indigenous History Month! www.cbc.ca/books/12-boo...

Helaine Becker’s latest book Smart Machines: How AI is Changing Our World introduces young readers to AI and how this technology will influence humanity. Read the Orca Blog to learn about what inspired her to write this book and how she feels about AI. blog.orcabook.com/helaine-beck...

In Jocelyn Shipley’s new novel, Kat Vs. Dogs, Kat must overcome her fear of dogs to win the heart of new her crush. Read the Orca Blog to discover the author’s personal inspiration behind this mini romcom and why she decided to write it for striving readers. blog.orcabook.com/jocelyn-ship...

These new middle-grade nonfiction books can help empower readers to be critical thinkers and take action in their communities! Learn more in today's Educator Newsletter: conta.cc/4npFZSI

Today is World Ocean Day! Get kids excited to learn about the ocean and the species who call it home with these nonfiction picture books. blog.orcabook.com/nonfiction-o...

“Making your hike into an adventure is the best thing you can do!” —Natasha Zimmers on her tips for kids wanting to try hiking. Read more about her star-reviewed picture book, Tiny Hiker! blog.orcabook.com/natasha-zimm...

In our line-up of new picture books you’ll discover stories about rock-solid friendships, stories about art and self-expression, stories about family and community, biographical books that are based on real peoples’ stories, and more. Learn more in today's Educator Newsletter! conta.cc/48S3NZD

World Ocean Day is coming up on June 8! Celebrate with these middle-grade nonfiction titles. From misunderstood ocean predators to ocean conservation, these books are perfect ocean reads for kids aged 9—12. blog.orcabook.com/5-nonfiction...

Thank you to @orcabook.bsky.social for letting me illustrate a page in the upcoming book "I am Indigenous". I am joined by other amazing Indigenous artists to illustrate Anne Tenning's thoughtful exploration of what it means to be Indigenous! This book comes out Sept 15, 2026! #Indigenous #Nativeart

Orca Echoes are fun chapter books for kids! These entertaining, short reads are classroom favorites and are great for building reading confidence. Whether a young reader likes mysteries, animals, fantasy or just to have a good read, there is an Orca Echo for them! blog.orcabook.com/fun-chapter-...

“It is my hope that when families read If You Make a Mosom Tea, they reach out to the family and friends that they haven’t seen in a while.” Read more about award-winning author Tonya Simpson's new picture book on the Orca Blog! blog.orcabook.com/tonya-simpso...