IBBY Canada is pleased to present the 2023 edition of From Sea to Sea to Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books. 25 of the best Indigenous picture books published in Canada between 2020–2022 were selected for this collection. Care was taken to ensure that the collection reflects the diversity of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit voices from sea to sea to sea, and that the titles are available and in print for anyone who wishes to access them.
The selection committee — Colette Poitras (Métis Nation of Alberta), Indigenous Public Library Outreach, Government of Alberta; Nancy Cooper (Rama First Nation), writer, educator, community development leader, First National Consultant at the Southern Ontario Library Service; Allison Taylor McBryde, Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia and recently retired children’s librarian at North Vancouver District Public Library; Joanne Schwartz, award-winning author and children’s librarian with the Toronto Public Library; and Lorisia MacLeod (James Smith Cree Nation), Online Reference Co-ordinator with The Alberta Library and communications lead with the Canadian Federation of Library Association’s Indigenous Matters Committee; with the support of Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis (Nipissing First Nation), educator, researcher and author; and Mary Beth Leatherdale, award-winning author and editor — considered over 100 titles in curating this collection.
The previous edition of the collection was released in 2021 and contains 25 picture books by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit authors and illustrators.
The catalogues include 150 recommended picture books by Indigenous authors, many illustrated by Indigenous artists, published in Canada over the last 25+ years and currently in print.
Reflects the diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences of Inuit, Métis, and 29 First Nations.
Gives attention to picture books that promote Indigenous languages, with 15 different languages/dialects represented.
Features books for children of every age, ranging from board books to picture books for older readers.
It is our hope that teachers, librarians, readers, and booksellers will use and share this list widely — across Canada and around the world — while continuing to read and update their collections of Indigenous picture books. Please join us in celebrating Indigenous picture books as widely as possible, using the hashtags #ReadIndigenous and #IndigiPictureBooks, and tagging @IBBYCanada!
Booksellers, for a list of the books in the first edition of the catalogue, including ISBNs and prices, view this spreadsheet.
Read the IBBY Canada special edition newsletter all about the 2018 edition of the Indigenous Picture Books Collection now.
From Sea to Sea to Sea
Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books
All Downloads
Download the 2023 Edition (PDF, 10.4MB)
Download the 2021 Edition (PDF, 1MB)
Download the 2018 Edition (PDF, 8MB)
Download the Educators’ Resource (PDF)
Download the Grade Levels Spreadsheet (.xls file)
About the Collections
The selection committee — Colette Poitras (Métis Nation of Alberta), Indigenous Public Library Outreach, Government of Alberta; Nancy Cooper (Rama First Nation), writer, educator, community development leader, First National Consultant at the Southern Ontario Library Service; Allison Taylor McBryde, Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia and recently retired children’s librarian at North Vancouver District Public Library; Joanne Schwartz, award-winning author and children’s librarian with the Toronto Public Library; and Lorisia MacLeod (James Smith Cree Nation), Online Reference Co-ordinator with The Alberta Library and communications lead with the Canadian Federation of Library Association’s Indigenous Matters Committee; with the support of Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis (Nipissing First Nation), educator, researcher and author; and Mary Beth Leatherdale, award-winning author and editor — considered over 100 titles in curating this collection.
The previous edition of the collection was released in 2021 and contains 25 picture books by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit authors and illustrators.
It is our hope that teachers, librarians, readers, and booksellers will use and share this list widely — across Canada and around the world — while continuing to read and update their collections of Indigenous picture books. Please join us in celebrating Indigenous picture books as widely as possible, using the hashtags #ReadIndigenous and #IndigiPictureBooks, and tagging @IBBYCanada!
Booksellers, for a list of the books in the first edition of the catalogue, including ISBNs and prices, view this spreadsheet.
Read the IBBY Canada special edition newsletter all about the 2018 edition of the Indigenous Picture Books Collection now.
And please read about two friends of the Indigenous Picture Book Collection: Colette Poitras, Manager of Indigenous Public Library Outreach, Municipal Affairs, Government of Alberta — and the Edmonton Public Library.
Watch the virtual launch of the 2021 edition
Watch the virtual launch of the Educators’ Resource