Stories and anthologies that slow things down and make reading worth returning to.

The D.E.A.R. Books Collection Drop Everything And Read D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read — the magical moment when a story is so engaging that children pause what they’re doing and dive into a book. The D.E.A.R. Books collection from Chalkboard Publishing is a home for beautifully illustrated picture books, early readers, and story anthologies created to spark imagination and help children fall in love with reading. With memorable characters, vibrant illustrations, and stories that celebrate culture, family traditions, and everyday adventures, these are the kinds of books children ask to read again and again. Perfect for homes, classrooms, and libraries, D.E.A.R. Books invite children to open a book, get comfortable, and discover the joy of a great story.

My Soca Birthday Party: With Jollof Rice & Steel Pans

My Soca Birthday Party:
With Jollof Rice & Steel Pans

As Anne’s birthday drew close, her friends prepared a soca party. Anne loves the sound of Caribbean soca music played on steel pans and West Africa’s spicy jollof rice. Hence, her friends planned to celebrate her special day with a fusion of sounds and traditional dishes from Caribbean and African countries — a representation of their diverse yet comparable cultures. Anne was in for a real surprise.

C is for Carnival

C is for Carnival
D is for dance! E is for emancipation! From A to Z, this is a rhyming alphabet book that celebrates Canada’s Caribbean Carnival. This engaging and educational book features a diverse cast of children in vibrant costumes as they ‘play mas’ while dancing to Soca and Calypso music. A glossary at the end makes it easy for readers, including parents and teachers, to review what they have learned.

A Piece of Black Cake for Santa

A Piece of Black Cake for Santa
Femi and her friends plan to leave traditional Caribbean treats for Santa, including Black Cake. The children share warm wishes for their favourite dishes while enjoying winter activities at the Christmas fair.

Hot Cross Buns for Everyone

Hot Cross Buns for Everyone
Hot Cross Buns For Everyone! Jackson’s friends and their families bake assorted hot cross buns for his Easter party. Liam’s foster parents use his most memorable Scottish ingredient, and Dimitri’s dad adds Greek mahlepi spice. Some have rainbow colours for all to see and a sweet Jamaican bun and cheese recipe! One by one, the children arrive with hot cross buns for everyone.

What’s in the Cookie Tin?

What’s in the Cookie Tin?
This humorous picture book follows Olivia and Benjamin on their quest to eat what’s inside the cookie tin. The siblings’ experience at their grandparent’s home, sheds light on a multicultural phenomenon involving the cookie tins found in many homes worldwide. What do you think is in the cookie tin?

Christmas Elves Being Themselves

Christmas Elves Being Themselves
A Christmas story about elves being their unique and merriest selves. These elves ‘ confidence will encourage little readers to celebrate our differences. A curious elf prefers to learn about how families celebrate Christmas worldwide. The busy elf decides to enjoy a beach vacation, while an adventurous elf takes a jolly ride down the chimney. One elf likes veggies more than cookies. Santa loves them all the same, even when they play naughty pranks.

My Kwanzaa Wish

My Kwanzaa Wish
My Kwanzaa Wish is a children’s book that celebrates the core principles of the holiday with warmth, positivity, and upliftment. This poetically written book includes educational information about Kwanzaa and a delicious fruit drink recipe.

LITTLE READERS: Let’s play Jazz!

LITTLE READERS:
Let’s play Jazz!

encourages young children to read with a purpose and is an excellent book for culturally responsive educators and parents. Little Readers, let’s play Jazz!

LITTLE READERS: Kwanzaa for me!

LITTLE READERS:
Kwanzaa for me!

encourages young children to read with a purpose and is an excellent book for culturally responsive educators and parents. Little Readers, Habari Gani!

LITTLE READERS: Who do you love?

LITTLE READERS:
Let’s play Jazz!

encourages young children to read with a purpose and is an excellent book for culturally responsive educators and parents. Little Readers, let’s play Jazz!

Big Birthday Wishes

Big Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday! A group of friends share something remarkable: they all have the same birth date. Their parents planned to celebrate with one big party, complete with special cakes for each child from the new bakery in town. However, little did they know that the wishes of the birthday boys and girls were about to come true in the wildest, messiest, and most thrilling ways possible! It is up to the birthday crew to rescue their parents and guests from the sticky, hilarious situations that arise. So, close your eyes and make a BIG wish, but be careful what you wish for!

Marching North

Marching North
When Aunty Evangelina gifts Abiola an old compass, it becomes more than just a keepsake; it symbolises direction, courage, and identity. She introduces Abiola to the remarkable legacy of Black Caribbean soldiers who served and fought for Canada during the First and Second World Wars. These men travelled from the warmth of their Caribbean nations to foreign battlefields, facing prejudice and hardship while remaining determined to serve with honour. Many returned to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, and community leaders. They were true heroes whose resilience helped shape Canada’s history. This beautifully illustrated book not only inspires kids to stand up for what’s right but also educates and encourages them to appreciate the contributions of the remarkable Black Canadian soldiers.

You Never Know What You’re Going To Get: An Anthology of Short Stories

You Never Know What You’re Going To Get: An Anthology of Short Stories
This book is packed with ten totally different stories from ten awesome authors — and every single one is full of surprises, big feelings, and moments you’ll never forget. No two chapters are alike (just like no two kids are!). One story might make you laugh out loud, another might give you goosebumps, and a few might even make you think, “Whoa… that could totally happen to me.”

Featured Author

Yolanda T. Marshall is a Guyanese-born Canadian author. In 2015, after becoming a mom, Yolanda was inspired to write her first children’s book named Keman’s First Carnival. Yolanda is also the author of, A Piece of Black Cake for Santa, Sweet Sorrel Stand, and Miles Away In The Caribbean. A world traveller, a jazz lover and a devoted mother, she embodies art and takes her readers on adventurous, cultured journeys. Yolanda lives in Toronto, Canada with her family.