Today is World Emoji Day, so we asked ourselves, “what if we described books with just emojis?”
We’ve curated a book list based on perfect emoji pairings. Although we love words, sometimes you just need to describe how you feel about a book with visual language. Whether you like to keep things sweet and simple or curate an obscure arsenal, it’s undeniable that emojis help us create a deeper connection to our favourite books (and add a little bit of fun!). From describing main topics or plots like horse riders and heartbreak, to how they make us want to laugh and cry, emojis really can say it all.
All Things Green 🪴🌱🌿🌲🍃🌳
A Room in the Forest by Heather Ramsay (Caitlin Press)
👩🏻🌾➡️🌲🍃🐾🔍✨
From the publisher: Leaving Alberta for a forestry job, nineteen-year-old Lily embarks on a coming-of-age journey that unearths surprising consequences. Former reporter Heather Ramsay’s fiction debut delivers hidden secrets, clashing cultures and mysterious figures against the rugged landscape and ancient forests of Haida Gwaii.
Out now
Staying Alive: The Go-To Guide for Houseplants by Janet Melrose & Sheryl Normandeau (TouchWood Editions)
🥀🔜🪴✅👍
From the publisher: Whether you have one tiny succulent on your desk at work or a massive collection of tropical plants in your home, caring for houseplants can be a real source of joy—and the occasional moment of wild frustration.
In this Q&A guide to happy, healthy houseplants, lifelong gardeners Sheryl Normandeau and Janet Melrose are here with the insight you need to take you from perusing the plant shop to the dreaded repotting to splitting your mama spider into little spidies to share with friends.
Out now
Keep Our World Green: Why Humans Need Gardens, Parks and Public Green Spaces by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by Sara Theuerkauf (Orca Book Publishers)
🌱🧤🪴🙋♀️
From the publisher: Green space makes humans happier and healthier. It provides a habitat for plants and animals and brings life to communities big and small. Parks and gardens inspire art, music and literature. But today green space everywhere is at risk. Discover green spaces throughout history, and learn how to protect them for future generations.
This book challenges young readers to think about the role of green space in their own lives and what role they can play in conserving and protecting it in their communities.
Out now
This Plant Is Not Boring by Marie Hoy-Kenny, illustrated by Mike Deas (Orca Book Publishers)
👧🏻🥀😈🤣
From the publisher: Mia wants a dog, but her mom buys her a plant instead. Mia is convinced plants are a huge bore—until her plant starts devouring her belongings, writing messages on the bathroom mirror and quickly growing bigger. Mia realizes she might have to pay more attention to her plant before it’s too late!
This book sneakily adds in some social-emotional learning and character growth as Mia learns that you can’t judge a book by its cover and that you only get out of a relationship what you put into it.
Out now
Wicked Westerns and Musicians 🐎🤠🌵🪕🎶
No Depression in Heaven by Ryan Fitzpatrick (Talonbooks)
🤠🌵🪕🎼⛓
From the publisher: This is a book that pulls on its boots, tilts its hat, and brushes the dust off its Nudie suit before tipping language out of key.
Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, both musical and poetic–and taking its title from a famous Carter Family song–No Depression in Heaven asks what it means to hold onto something toxic because of the comforts it affords, to daydream about days long past rather than gripping the reins of the present.
Coming soon
I Want to Die in My Boots by Natalie Appleton (TouchWood Editions)
🐄🏇🏿💪🤯
From the publisher: I Want to Die in My Boots is the untold story of Belle Jane, the woman who ran one of Canada’s largest cattle thieving rings in the 1920s, who brilliantly broke every taboo, took the names of five different husbands, and nearly followed the tragic end of her great hero, the outlaw queen Belle Starr.
Out now
No Judgment And Other Busking Stories By Philip Seagram (Caitlin Press)
🎼🏃🥹
From the publisher: In No Judgment and Other Busking Stories, Philip Seagram recounts his eight-week busking venture. He chronicles the challenges faced and insights gained while driving from city to city and meeting people through his street performances. Canada, vast as it is, began to feel smaller as he connected with strangers through music. And by extension, so did the world. At its core, No Judgment is a tale of human connection in a disconnected world and the part music can play in this.
Out now
For The Love of Water And Birds 🌊🚰🧊🐧🕊🐥
Dare to Bird: Exploring The Joy And Healing Power Of Birds by Melissa Hafting (Rocky Mountain Books)
❤️🔎🐧🦉🐥
From the publisher: Showcasing some of Melissa’s most stunning bird images from the continental United States, Hawaii, and Canada, Dare to Bird explores the joy that birding and photography has brought to her life and how both have allowed her to foster meaningful connections with young birders from diverse backgrounds, along with the conservation community, eco-travel advocates, rare bird enthusiasts, and ethical wildlife viewing practitioners in order to preserve bird habitats that are constantly under threat. At the same time, she is determined to expand birding to include more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour), women, and LGBTQIA+ through youth outreach and talking about the barriers (racism and sexism) she herself has faced in her journey to become part of the birding community.
Out now
Making a Splash: How Humans Consume, Control and Care for Water by Colleen Nelson, illustrated by Sophie Dubé (Orca Book Publishers)
🌊🚰⛴🧑🌾🏄♀️
From the publisher: This STEM title explores the human relationship with water from the past, present and into the future. The chapters discuss how water has influenced and informed human settlement, agriculture, invention and innovation, spirituality, exploration, water security, water equity and the current climate crisis.
It challenges young readers to think about the role water has in their lives and how they can take action to protect it for the future.
Out now