Staff Picks

Science Is Everywhere

Perfect for Science Literacy Week (Oct 6-12), these reads celebrate the wonder of asking questions and seeking answers. Explore our world through books that investigate the environment, human discovery, space, evolution, technology, and more.

Keystone Species: Meet the Animals Key to Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity: With Hands-On Science Activities for Kids

Laura Perdew; illustrated by Micah Rauch

When the Forest Breathes: Renewal and Resilience in the Natural World

Suzanne Simard

Reading the Bones: Homo Naledi and the Mysteries of Human Evolution

Marc Aronson and John S. Mead; illustrated by Tim Foley

Gay Science: The Totally Scientific Examination of LGBTQ+ Culture, Myths, and Stereotypes

Rob Anderson

Club Microbe

Elise Gravel; translated by Montana Kane

The Kaiju Preservation Society

John Scalzi

The Amazing Chemistry in Your Home

Lenka Karpíšková and Jiří Vlach; illustrated by Tomáš Kopecký; translated by Graeme and Suzanne Dibble

The Subtle Art of Folding Space

John Chu

Mr. Smarty Pants: Aww Nuts! A STEM Graphic Novel

Charity Reid; illustrated by Astronym

The Science of Pets

Jay Ingram

The Science Girls

Aki

Please Touch Everything: A History of the Ontario Science Centre

Joan Francuz

The Biggest Smallest Thing

Sara De Waal; illustrated by Ana Stretcu

Better Not Burn Your Toast: The Science of Food and Health

Joe Schwarcz

What Will I Discover?

Tanya Lloyd Kyi; illustrated by Rachel Qiuqi

Breaking Through: My Life in Science

Katalin Karikó

Khadija and the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

Farah Qaiser and Hajer Nakua; illustrated by Natalya Tariq

Understanding Our Digital World

Media and Information Literacy Week (Oct 24-31) is an opportunity to think critically in an ever-changing digital world and explore how information is created, shared, and consumed. Curated for curious minds of all ages, these books explore topics such as misinformation, algorithms, AI, and social media.

What the Fact?

Seema Yasmin

Killer Underwear Invasion! How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories

Elise Gravel

AI for Seniors in Easy Steps

Nick Vandome

Sticking to the Facts: 10 Ways to Fight Misinformation

Gregor Craigie

10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World: How Parents Can Stop Smartphones, Social Media, and Gaming From Taking Over Their Children's Lives

Jean M. Twenge

Breaking News: Why Media Matters

Raina Delisle

AI for Good: How Real People Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Fix Things That Matter

Josh Tyrangiel

Burst Your Bubble! Outsmart the Algorithms and See What You're Missing

Joyce Grant

How to AI: Cut Through the Hype. Master the Basics. Transform Your Work.

Christopher Mims

(Be Smart About) Screen Time! Stay Grounded, Set Boundaries, and Keep Safe Online

Rachel Brian

FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions

Perry Carpenter

Social Media Survival Guide

Holly Bathie

Algospeak: How Social Media is Transforming the Future of Language

Adam Aleksic

What About Digital Tech: An Illustrated Q&A Book for Kids

Romain Gallissot

Where the Axe Is Buried

Ray Nayler

A Kids Book About Life Online

Dave S Anderson

Culpability

Bruce W. Holsinger

Smart Machines: How AI Is Changing Our World

Helaine Becker

In Our Likeness

Bryan VanDyke

Robots and AI: How Robots and AI Are Revolutionizing Our World

Tom Jackson

ARTificial Intelligence

David Biedrzycki

Spooky Season

Boo(ks)! Get into the Halloween spirit with this collection of stories filled with magic, mischief, and monsters. From creepy classics and supernatural tales to fun adventures and festive recipes, there’s something here for every level of spooky.

Pumpkin Smash!

Michelle Schaub; illustrated by Rilla Alexander

Trick-or-Treating in the City

Tiffany D. Jackson; illustrated by Sawyer Cloud

Creepy Sheepy

Lucy Ruth Cummins; illustrated by Pete Oswald

The Bats on the Bus

Alison Jackson; illustrated by Scott Magoon

Hellaween

Moss Lawton

Halloween

Nancy Dickmann; illustrated by Laura Borio

Haunted Canada. 12: More Frightening True Tales

Joel A. Sutherland

The Monster Manual: The Ultimate Guide to Werewolves, Goblins, and Other Wicked Creatures

Sarah Glenn Marsh; illustrated by Justine Wollman

A Night for Mischief

Allison Finley

Spirit Service

Sarena Nanua

Everything She Does Is Magic

Bridget Morrissey

The Late-Night Witches

Auralee Wallace

Full Shift

Jennifer Dugan; illustrated by Kristen Seaton

Creepy Crafts: 60 Macabre Projects for Peculiar Adults

Ashley Voortman

Spooky Cocktails: 100+ Spirited & Wickedly Delicious Drinks

Clair McLafferty

A Guest in the House

Emily Carroll

Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films

Nina Nesseth

All Hallows

Christopher Golden

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology

Shane Hawk; Theodore C. Van Alst Jr

Silver Nitrate

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Celebrating in October

This October, celebrate the histories and cultural heritage of diverse communities that have helped shape our world. In honour of Islamic Heritage Month, Latin American Heritage Month, and German Heritage Month, browse these curated collections to explore the stories, traditions, lived experiences, and lasting contributions that continue to enrich our communities today.