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I've been feeling nostalgic lately, what with the new year just around the corner and I was curious to look back and see how many starred reviews Orca books earned in 2023. The total: 18 stars on books for all ages!

If you missed any of this year's best books, take a look at these! There's still time to add them to your shelf for 2024. 

From myself and the whole team at Orca, thank you teachers for all that you do and for being the stars that you are! We're grateful to you for including our books in your classrooms and libraries. We wish you a restful and rejuvenating break and a warm and happy holidays.

Board Books and Picture Books

Board Book | PreK–K

Board book $10.95 | Ebook $8.99

★“A stunning marriage of text and art that will linger with listeners as they slip into sleep...This melodic lullaby is warm and tender perfection.” 

—Kirkus Reviews

NEW! Picture Book | PreK–K

Hardcover $21.95 | Ebook $16.99

★ “A very wise book, speaking volumes…Share this at story hours, or hand it to the child struggling to read; this communicates essential truths without a word. Marvellous.”

—School Library Journal

★“Refreshing, beautiful, moving, and meaningful.”

—Kirkus Reviews



★“This multilayered wordless picture book has much to say about nature, renewal, and resiliency."

—Booklist

Picture Book | Gr. 1–3

Hardcover $21.95 | Ebook $16.99

★“Scenes unfold with cinematic flair...Bonheur’s tenacity and determination will resonate with children, whether or not they’re familiar with her art.”

—Quill & Quire

★“This solemn and serene volume should be considered a first purchase. Essential for most collections, and with its wildlife-centric art, it’s also a perfect read-aloud for Earth Day.”

—School Library Journal

Picture Book | Gr. 1–3

Hardcover $21.95 | Ebook $16.99

★ “Captures the sympathy of readers and holds their attention...An age-appropriate telling by an Indigenous creative team of a tragic historical period.”

—School Library Journal

Nonfiction Picture Book | Gr. 1–3

Hardcover $21.95 | Ebook $16.99

★“Open, clear, inviting...A pitch-perfect portrayal of a summer day.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Picture Book | Gr. 1–3

Hardcover $21.95 | Ebook $16.99

★"Delightful, portraying a little one’s first forays into independence, joys, fears, and all.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Picture Book | Gr. 1–3

Hardcover $21.95 | Ebook $16.99

★“A celebration of hope, resilience, and the power of ­self-acceptance that will resonate with readers of all ages.”

—School Library Journal



NEW! Picture Book | Gr. 1–3

Hardcover $21.95 | Ebook $16.99

★ “This book stands out with its sensitive and positive portrayal of a visually impaired character and the normalized support of others.”

—School Library Journal

NEW! Picture Book | Gr. 1–3

Hardcover $21.95 | Ebook $16.99

Middle-Grade Nonfiction

NEW! Nonfiction | Gr. 4–7

Hardcover $29.95 | Ebook $22.99

★ “A celebration of diversity in the form of a cookbook...Aspiring kid chefs will enjoy trying out these original recipes. The author asks, ‘What if talking about racism was as easy as baking a cake?’ With this book, it could be."

—School Library Journal

★“A thoughtful, beautifully designed work that fosters inclusivity and respect.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Nonfiction | Gr.4–7

Hardcover $24.95 | Ebook $18.99

★ “An important book for helping kids see past the stereotypes of terrifying grizzly bears and join the call for conservation.”

—School Library Journal

Middle-Grade Fiction

Middle-Grade Fiction | Gr. 4–7

Paperback $12.95 | Ebook $9.99

★“Takes one’s breath away with its poetry and power…Deeply affecting. An ideal tool to illustrate poetic elements or emphasize stories of sharing scary yet necessary truths.”

—School Library Journal

★“Immediate and immersive...Sensitive and reassuring, this book powerfully explores the deeply personal and universal need to breathe ‘for real, / for the first time.’”

—Quill & Quire

★ “Immersive from the get-go, this novel is a quick-paced gem...Engrossing and thrilling—this reluctant reader title should not be missed.”

—Kirkus Reviews

NEW! Hi-Lo Fiction | Gr. 8–12

Paperback $10.95 | Ebook $8.99

★ "Compassionately explores how grief affects children and adults alike and how to forgive the perfectly imperfect people who love us.”

—Booklist

NEW! Middle-grade Fiction | Gr. 4–7

Paperback $14.95 | Ebook $9.99

Get in touch! 1-800-210-5277 | orca@orcabook.com | orcabook.com