Secrets of Jarrow by Bill Slavin
One of Canada’s most celebrated book illustrators turned his hand to something different, unveiling a finely crafted whodunnit about a young man navigating a ravaged world, not too far in our future, to find his long-lost family. But only if he can figure out the murderer who has framed him first. Winner of best thriller, graphic novel, and best illustrations at the ABP awards.
Bogart Creek, Volume 2 by Derek Evernden
Quietly filling the elephant-sized hole left by Gary Larson’s Far Side comics leaving the stage, Bogart Creek picks up the baton for funny single-panel comics. Embracing the absurd, pop culture, and the darker edges, Derek’s cartoons have made many people laugh in an audible manner. Often in public.
ABC Monstrosity by Shea Proulx
An exquisitely hand-illustrated ABC book that combines every word with the next to create new words that delight both the learner and their guide, as the adults also attempt to sound out these new words for the first time, instilling confidence in the learner and the beginnings of understanding that they aren’t the only ones learning new things.
A Slug Story by Mandi and Hana Kujawa
Inspired by their own experiences dealing with a health care emergency, this national comics and graphic novel best children’s and YA book finds hope in the most challenging moments as two teenagers find friendship between their hospital beds as the doctors try to figure out what’s happened to their brains and how they can help them to recover.
King Warrior by Jay Bulckaert and Erika Nyyssonen
Winner of the ABP Award’s Graphic Novel of the Year and Northwords Young Adult Book of the Year, King Warrior is both an epic fantasy adventure in a land that blends elements of the Canadian north, Somali and Finnish legends, with a heartwarming story of a family striving to stay connected even as they are separated by continents. Uplifting and life-affirming, this graphic novel will melt the hearts of even the coldest days in Yellowknife.
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Thanks to Alexander Finbow at Renegade Arts Entertainment for sharing these can’t-miss titles from their backlist. You can order any of these books through All Lit Up, or click the “Shop Local” button on the book listings to discover them at your local indie bookstore.
