Rainforest of Reading in St. Lucia: 2018

Each year we look for the essential ingredients of great stories. This year, we’ve combined important human themes of inclusion and diversity with not-so-inhuman monsters, dragons and pirates. 2018 may be the most exciting mix yet created by Canadian storytellers!

Sonya White

GUELPH — October 28, 2017.
The long list was long indeed: Canadian publishers sent 150 titles to OneWorld Schoolhouse Executive Director Sonya White. But after careful deliberation, a dozen special stories were selected for the Rainforest of Reading Festival in St. Lucia. So, a drum roll, please.…here are the nominees for St. Lucia’s Rainforest of Reading Award 2018:

Braids! Written by Robert Munsch; Illustrated by Dave Whamond. Scholastic Books.

Captain Monty Takes The Plunge Written by Jennifer Mook-Sang; Illustrated by Liz Starin. Kids Can Press.

Happy Dreamer Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Scholastic Books.

I Love My Purse Written by Belle DeMont; Illustrated by Sonja Wimmer. Annick Press.

I Want A Monster Written and illustrated by Elise Gravel. HarperCollins Publishers.

Me, Me, Me Written by Annika Dunklee; Illustrated by Lori Joy Smith. Kids Can Press.

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress Written by Christine Baldacchino; Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant. Groundwood Books.

Monster Truck Buck Written by Dan O’Dell; Illustrated by Jason Doll. Peanut Butter Press.

Not Your Typical Dragon Written by Dan Bar-el; Illustrated by Tim Bowers. Penguin Books.

The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do Written and illustrated by Ashley Spires. Kids Can Press.

Under-The-Bed-Fred Written by Linda Bailey; Illustrated by Colin Jack. Tundra Books.

Where Oliver Fits Written and illustrated by Cale Atkinson. Tundra Books.

Thanks to Freight Partners International and Norm Nadon and Jodie McNeil friends who magically transport festival books from Canada to kids in St. Lucia!