They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a great picture book can capture your imagination with a lot less—and let's be honest, kids don't have time for thousands of words (they're busy).
This Picture Book Month, we’re celebrating ten local authors (and their amazing illustrators) whose creativity has enriched children’s literature while shining a light on Nova Scotia and the Atlantic region. By creating exciting worlds, memorable characters, and meaningful stories, these authors have captured our eyes and our hearts.
Doretta Groenendyk
Doretta Groenendyk is an artist and author who lives in Nova Scotia. Her work often shows the beauty and community spirit of the province, mixing stories with expressive and colourful pictures. Doretta loves art and creativity, and it shows in her books, making her an important voice in local literature.
Her book Nova Scotia Loves Gus is like a love letter to her home province, inviting readers to feel the warmth and charm of Nova Scotia through the adventures of the lovable Gus, the 100-year-old tortoise who lives at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax.
Alan Syliboy
Alan Syliboy is a well-known Mi’kmaq artist and storyteller from Millbrook First Nation. His work is rooted in Indigenous culture, sharing traditional stories and values that have been passed down through generations. A common theme in Alan’s art and writing is celebrating the strength and spirit of Mi’kmaq heritage.
In Wolverine and Little Thunder: An Eel Fishing Story, Alan takes readers into the heart of Mi’kmaq traditions, telling a touching story about friendship, culture, and the importance of sharing knowledge between generations.
Sara Jewell
Sara Jewell is a columnist and author who lives in rural Nova Scotia. She finds inspiration in the quiet beauty of nature. Her writing shows her deep connection to the environment, often focusing on being resourceful and creative.
Her book I Built a Cabin is a fun story about building a personal hideaway in the woods, perfect for anyone who has ever dreamed of building something with their own hands or living in the wild.
About the Illustrator: The illustrations in I Built a Cabin were created by Charlotte Manning. Her warm and detailed artwork goes perfectly with the story’s theme of connecting with nature.
Shauntay Grant
Shauntay Grant is a poet, playwright, and author who draws from her rich cultural heritage as a descendant of Black Loyalists and Jamaican Maroons. She is from Halifax, and her stories celebrate Black voices and experiences, using beautiful and vivid language.
In My Fade Is Fresh, Shauntay writes about themes like identity and self-expression through the eyes of a young girl choosing her perfect hairstyle—giving us a joyful celebration of culture and confidence.
About the Illustrator: The illustrations in My Fade Is Fresh were done by Kitt Thomas. Their vibrant and expressive art brings the characters and their emotions to life, adding to the story of self-expression.
Jack Wong
Jack Wong is an author and illustrator based in Halifax. His work focuses on themes of connection and understanding. With a background in fine arts, Jack’s books often explore the bonds between family members and the beauty of shared experiences.
His book The Words We Share tells the touching story of a child learning to connect with a parent across language barriers, showing the power of love and patience.
Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail is a writer with roots in Nova Scotia. Her work often explores history and aviation adventure, making her stories educational and fun for young readers.
In Alis the Aviator, Danielle combines her love for aviation history with playful storytelling, teaching readers the alphabet through the fun of flight and exploration.
About the Illustrator: The illustrations in Alis the Aviator were created by Kalpna Patel (her first illustrations to be featured in a full book). Her colourful and fun style makes learning about aviation history an exciting adventure.
Michelle Robinson
Michelle Robinson is an author who brings a fun and lighthearted style to storytelling, creating relatable and funny stories for children. Her lively writing shows the playful spirit of the Atlantic coast.
In Lobster’s Vacation, Michelle takes readers on a funny adventure with a lobster who just wants a Nova Scotian holiday, mixing humour with coastal charm.
About the Illustrator: The illustrations in Lobster’s Vacation were done by Paul G. Hammond, whose whimsical and lively art adds to the humour and coastal charm of the story.
Jan L. Coates
Jan L. Coates is an award-winning author from Nova Scotia with a talent for bringing historical stories to young readers. Her passion for history and music shines through in her engaging stories.
Her book A Halifax Time-Travelling Tune features a young child who travels back in time to 1950s Halifax to experience our city's iconic landmarks, combining music and the city’s colourful past.
About the Illustrator: The illustrations in A Halifax Time-Travelling Tune were created by Marijke Simons, whose beautiful artwork brings vintage Halifax history to life.
A Halifax Time-travelling Tune
Gloria Ann Wesley
Gloria Ann Wesley is an African Nova Scotian author and poet who has been a powerful voice in Canadian literature for many years. Her work celebrates strength, community, and cultural identity, making her an important figure in local storytelling.
In Abigail’s Wish, Gloria tells the story of a young girl’s determination in 18th-century Nova Scotia—a story filled with hope, bravery, and the power of dreams.
About the Illustrator: The illustrations in Abigail's Wish were done by Richard Rudnicki, whose emotional artwork brings the past to life and compliments the story's themes.
Albert Marshall
Albert Marshall is a Mi’kmaq Elder from Eskasoni First Nation who is passionate about Two-Eyed Seeing—an idea that blends Indigenous and Western ways of understanding the world. His storytelling often focuses on respecting and understanding nature.
In Walking Together, co-authored with Louise Zimanyi, Albert introduces kids to the idea of Two-Eyed Seeing, encouraging young readers to see the world in different ways and embrace new perspectives.
About the Illustrator: The illustrations in Walking Together were created by Emily Kewageshig, whose artwork centres around themes of birth, death, and rebirth.
Explore Even More Local Talent
These ten authors are just a glimpse of the amazing talent in our region. Each of their stories brings something special to children’s books, from cultural insights to exciting adventures.
Check out our Picture Book Month: Local Authors, opens a new window booklist and find even more fantastic voices from Nova Scotia and the Atlantic provinces.
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