Summer is here and we can’t wait to hit the beach! Check out these BC-published books on your next seaside escape!
For Kids
Hermit Hill by Mike Deas and Nancy Deas (Orca Book Publishers)
In a starred review, School Library Journal called Hermit Hill “atmospheric” and said that “Deas’s expressive artwork includes the colorful landscapes and flora of Sueño Bay’s forests, from bright greens and yellows in the daytime to subdued blues and grays at night and in the rain.” Join friends Ollie, Jenna, Sleeves and Kay as they build a go-kart for the annual Fall Fair competition in this charming comic book.
I’s the B’y: The Beloved Newfoundland Folk Song illustrated by Lauren Soloy (Greystone Kids)
Every Canadian knows the beloved folk song, “I’s the B’y”. In this lyrical picture book, kids can follow along with the song and visualize the story through Lauren Soloy’s whimsical artwork. The book also includes easy-to-follow sheet music for young musicians and a brief history of the song.
Hush, Puppy by Sigmund Brouwer, illustrated by Sabrina Gendron (Orca Book Publishers)
Perfect for young animal-lovers, Hush, Puppy follows eleven-year-old Charlie Dembinski. Charlie likes to live his life by order, and study the predictable behaviour of animals. When he finds a lost little puppy, Charlie learns that life can often be unpredictable—and to enjoy it!
On My Swim by Kari-Lynn Winters, illustrated by Christina Leist (Tradewind Books)
What do babies see at the beach? In On My Swim, we explore Vancouver’s waterfront through the eyes of a child and see their curious mind at work. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations from Christina Leist.
Sulfur Heart by Brooke Carter (Orca Book Publishers)
For teen readers, Sulfur Heart is a murder mystery that explores themes of redemption, father/son relationships, toxic dynamics and romance in a small mill town.
A Magical Sturgeon by Joseph Dandurand, illustrated by Elinor Atkins (Nightwood Editions)
A follow up to the beloved Joseph Dandurand book, The Sasquatch, the Fire and the Cedar Baskets. A Magical Sturgeon is written and illustrated in the tradition of the Kwantlen people, offering an endearing tale of two sisters and their connection with nature.
For Grown Ups
The Marriage of Rose Camilleri by Robert Hough (Douglas & McIntyre)
“Achingly real and dreamlike all at once, The Marriage of Rose Camilleri is a triumph of storytelling, finding the arresting truth at the heart of a seemingly ordinary life.” –Grace O’Connell, author of Be Ready for the Lightning. A moving portrait of an unconventional marriage.
Larder by Rhona McAdam (Caitlin Press)
An immersive collection of poetry that explores the natural world. From the publisher: Larder is at once an elegant transcription of the spiritual nourishment that comes from our embrace of the earth and of the inevitable loss in our unwillingness to embrace sustainability.
The Last Show on Earth by Yvonne Blomer (Caitlin Press)
This moving collection of poetry looks at endangered species—the whale, the elephant, the wolf, the polar bear—and explores their fate in a world where the environment is collapsing. “The Last Show on Earth taps into the intimate nature of grief at the same time they speak to the collective nature of sorrow.” —Eve Joseph, award-winning author of Quarrels and In the Slender Margin
Adventure Roads of BC’s Northwest Heartland by Liz Bryan (Heritage House)
Looking to escape on a road trip this summer? This volume by Liz Bryan will appeal to armchair travellers and experienced tourists alike. The travelogue is accompanied by scenic photography, maps, history and fascinating information on BC’s interior.
Buffalo Is the New Buffalo by Chelsea Vowel (Arsenal Pulp Press)
From the publisher: Powerful stories of “Metís futurism” that envision a world without violence, capitalism, or colonization.
In the highly acclaimed Buffalo Is the New Buffalo, Chelsea Vowel explores science fiction tropes through an Indigenous lens.
Unrest by Emma Côté (Anvil Press)
Winner of the 43rd Annual 3-Day Novel Contest, Unrest is a darkly funny and riveting debut by Emma Côté. The novel follows mortician Mylène Andrews who must learn to cope after the untimely death of her mother.
The Hiking Book from Hell by Are Kalvø, translated by Lucy Moffatt (Greystone Books)
Now available in English from Greystone Books, read the hilarious hiking guide from one of Scandinavia’s biggest comedians, Are Kalvø. With wit and edge, The Hiking Book From Hell is a memoir about trading in city life for the great outdoors and fitting in with friends.
One Inch From Disaster by Kelly Randall Ricketts (Harbour Publishing)
Told with wry, humble, self-deprecation, One Inch From Disaster recounts all of the author’s close calls and near-death experiences in the wilderness. From deathly leaps to encounters with grizzly bears, readers will follow Kelly Randall Ricketts along many daring and dangerous adventures.