Two new (2026) picture books from Orca Book Publishers caught my eye for this issue.
Tiny Hiker by Natasha Zimmers, illustrated by Jaimie MacGibbon, is a wonderful read-aloud, with rhythmic text punctuated by exclamations from “the tiny hiker.” You will have fun with this book, using your most dramatic voice as you read how the unnamed tiny hiker accompanies her family as they walk through the forest to a camping spot on the beach. There is much potential for vocabulary development, oral reading with expression, and a lesson about perseverance wrapped up in this colourful picture book. Children will enjoy the detailed illustrations and could be inspired to follow the text pattern to write their own adventure stories.
Gotcha Day by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Udayana Lugo, is another book with kid appeal and teaching potential. Here, we follow the sequence of events as a homeless dog is caught, cleaned up, housed in an animal shelter, and eventually adopted by a loving family. Again, vocabulary development is a central component, and the illustrations contribute much to the story. You will need to read slowly and allow your students to absorb what is happening by studying the illustrations, because the text is sparse, with one word capturing the essence of each scene. Students could be inspired to write a Prologue and an Afterword to this dog’s life story and to discuss the final question: Who rescued who? Apparently, “Gotcha Day” is a thing—a day when pets’ birthdays are celebrated when the actual birthday is unknown. Who knew?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diana Mumford
Diana is the Editor of Canadian Teacher Magazine.
This article is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Spring 2026 issue.
