Janique - Cynthia Collins;Olena Stasiuk

Janique is Unique is a warm and visually powerful picture book that gently explores empathy, generosity, and the spirit of community.

Janique wears vibrant clothes from head to toe, a splash of colour in a grey, tired city. As she walks its streets, she notices people in need-cold, lonely, and overlooked. Piece by piece, she gives away her scarf, gloves, coat, and more. With each act of kindness, the recipients gain colour and warmth, while Janique slowly fades to grey.

Though she appears colourless, a quiet glow begins to shine from within. When she enters a bustling soup kitchen filled with those she's helped, Janique finds herself surrounded by joy, gratitude and colour once again. By the end of the story, readers come to see that being unique has nothing to do with clothes, and everything to do with caring for others.

When many people share kindness, wonderful things can grow.