New Releases

West Coast Wild at Low Tide

Illustrated by Karen Reczuch; published by Groundwood Books

Imagine what you might see on a beach walk at low tide…

At the edge of the Pacific Ocean, where land and sea meet, lies a narrow strip of beach called the intertidal zone. Endless tides move back and forth across the zone twice a day. Here a remarkable community of hardy shoreline creatures flourishes in an environment of ever-changing conditions.

In the third book in the West Coast Wild series, young readers will discover brightly colored sea stars, a giant Pacific octopus, busy hermit crabs, delicate sand dollars, fish that camouflage and other intriguing marine animals. Enjoy learning fascinating facts about each creature as Karen Reczuch’s vibrant watercolor illustrations bring the magnificent shoreline and its unique inhabitants to life.

“A great way to prepare youngsters for their first adventure at the seashore when the tide is out, giving them the tools to identify the accessible creatures they’ll see and making the experience all the more meaningful. Highly Recommended.” Canadian Review of Materials

“Anyone visiting the intertidal zone will be armed with a superb resource for finding and identifying the life forms at the low tide. But one doesn’t need to be planning a trip to enjoy and learn from this delightful picture book.” Shelf Awareness, Starred Review.

Read about the joyful collaboration of author and illustrator on 49th Shelf. And visit the Teacher’s Guide for classroom activities.

 

West Coast Wild ABC

Illustrated by Karen Reczuch; published by Groundwood Books

Explore the wild and wonderful Pacific west coast from A to Z in our new board book!

Bears amble, cougars prowl and eagles nest in a richly illustrated nature alphabet book celebrating the Pacific west coast. This beautiful board book was created especially for a very young audience.

Babies and toddlers will delight in the gorgeous watercolour illustrations and fascinating creatures that inhabit the ancient rainforest, rugged beach and majestic Pacific Ocean.

The large upper and lowercase alphabet letters on each page encourage letter recognition, while the short simple text provides young children with an opportunity to learn the names of wild creatures local to the area.

A delightful introduction to the beauty and splendour of the Pacific west coast!

“Definitely a board book to be added to home collections as well those institutions serving the very young. Highly Recommended.” Canadian Review of Materials

West Coast Wild ABC

West Coast Wild Babies

Illustrated by Karen Reczuch, published by Groundwood Books

It’s spring on the Pacific west coast and new life is stirring! Wild babies are being born — in the ocean, on the shore and deep inside the ancient rainforest. Meet the wolf pups, bear cubs, whale calves, eaglets and salmon fry that begin their life in the pristine wilderness of this magnificent place.

In this second book in the West Coast Wild series, readers can visit the spectacular Pacific Rim region and be introduced to a fascinating group of fourteen wild baby animals thriving in their coastal home. The beautiful illustrations are detailed and lifelike, and convey a lovely sense of warmth between the wild parents and their young.

The book includes a note about the Pacific west coast and the need to preserve its rare and awe-inspiring wilderness regions, as well as suggestions for further reading and exploration.

“A succinct and satisfying first look at some fascinating creatures.” Kirkus Reviews

“Through a superb soft palette of watercolour and coloured pencil, this book peeks into the majestic wilderness of spring on the northern Pacific Rim.” Mighty Village

“[Hodge’s] text … is poetic and perfectly accompanied by Karen Reczuch’s watercolour and coloured pencil illustrations.” CanLit for Little Canadians

Visit the Teacher’s Guide for classroom activities.

Cooking with Bear

Illustrated by Lisa Cinar; published by Groundwood Books

When Bear wakes up after a long, cold winter, he makes a special spring lunch and invites Fox to join him. The food is delicious, and Fox asks Bear to teach him how to cook.

They walk through the forest collecting honey, nuts and other wild ingredients, and greet their friends along the way. With an armload of tasty foods, Bear and Fox return to Bear’s den and cook up a feast to share.

Afterwards, Bear writes down his recipes so that Fox (and you!) can enjoy many marvellous meals. His cookbook — Best of Bear — offers fifteen kid-friendly recipes, including nut burgers, wild greens pita pizza, hazelnut–chocolate chip cookies and a wild strawberry smoothie.

Readers can revisit their animal friends from Bear’s Winter Party and try out some fun forest-themed recipes in this playful story/cookbook, featuring exuberant art by Lisa Cinar.

“A fun, accessible first cookbook for the little foxes in our lives.” Kirkus, Starred Review

“A useful and lively offering for younger beginning cooks…” Horn Book

“With friendly, colourful illustrations and a thoughtful cast of characters, this story charmed me in every way.”
Canadian Children’s Book News, Red Leaf Literature, Starred Review

Bear's Winter Party

Bear’s Winter Party

Bears Winter PartyIllustrated by Lisa Cinar; published by Groundwood Books

Bear loves his forest home, but sometimes he gets lonely. It’s hard being the biggest animal around. So he comes up with a plan to make friends with the other forest creatures. He invites the animals to a winter party in his den. He decorates his home, lights a roaring fire, and bakes delicious treats. But as the night grows dark, Bear worries that his forest neighbors may be too frightened to come. Just when he is about to give up hope, Bear spots Deer peeking out from behind a tree…

Bear’s Winter Party is a gentle story of friendship that will warm your heart on a cold winter day. You can watch a lovely reading of it by the wonderful Nicola Martinus-Smith. The story was chosen to be included in an online Advent calendar created by the UK charity, Roundabout Dramatherapy. Enjoy!

Also included in the book is a recipe for Bear’s own Honey Ginger Cookies.

• Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• Chocolate Lily Award, shortlist

“The stylized watercolor and pencil illustrations are beautiful… this is a worthwhile seasonal selection with an emphasis on friendship.” School Library Journal

“Lisa Cinar’s soft watercolour and pencil crayon illustrations illuminate Bear’s emotions and help young readers to understand the book itself is a recipe for friendship.” Canadian Children’s Book News

Bears Winter Party

West Coast Wild

West Coast Wild: A Nature Alphabet

West Coast Wild: A Nature AlphabetIllustrated by Karen Reczuch, published by Groundwood Books

This book is a celebration of nature on the Pacific west coast — a magnificent area that combines an ancient rainforest, a rugged beach and a vast, open ocean, and where whales, bears, wolves, eagles and a rich variety of marine species thrive in an interconnected web of life,

• Winner, Information Book Award, Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada
• Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• Featured Book for Elementary Schools, 2016, Vancouver Elementary Principals and Vice Principals Association
• Silver Birch Express Award, shortlist, Ontario Library Association
• Chocolate Lily Award, shortlist

“To say the book is simply a nature alphabet is an understatement. Altogether, the 26 selections create a panoramic experience in print—East Coast dwellers will want one of their own.” Kirkus Reviews

“Hodge’s forthright narration offers details about familiar creatures like bears, cougars, and orca, but she sneaks in some surprises, too . . . [Reczuch’s] precisely drafted illustrations find majesty and beauty in the creatures, vegetation, and landscapes that make the Pacific Northwest so distinctive.” Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Visit the Teacher’s Guide for classroom activities. Watch a storytime video with educator Noel Nicholas, from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, reading West Coast Wild for children.

West Coast Wild: A Nature Alphabet