East Coast Counting by Dawn Baker

Extending to the easternmost reaches of the North American continent sits a small group of provinces kissed by the icy cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Known collectively as the East Coast, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, are as distinct as the regional dialects that can be found across each province.  As a region, however,  they share a common bond of rugged beauty and hard working, friendly people whom have historically made a living from the sea. East Coast Counting by Newfoundland author and illustrator Dawn Baker is an early educational counting book that celebrates all things maritime as depicted through a beautiful backdrop of realistic illustrations synonymous with the picturesque beauty of the four Atlantic provinces. Simply written to accommodate the audience for which the book is intended, it is truly a feast for the eyes!

Inspired by the common bonds shared by the provinces in the Atlantic Bubble, Baker's early counting book, which focuses on numbers 0 to 12, portrays natural attractions, iconic symbols, and wildlife common to the area. From the Peggy's Cove lighthouse to the kayaks in the Bay of Fundy, from the Newfoundland Dog puppies to the warm sands of Cavendish Beach, young children will delight in counting the beautifully rendered images that Baker has created.  Though the book has a mostly maritime flavour, the author has also captured other landforms, flowers and native species that can be found in the inland areas of the various regions. The final page of "Twelve beautiful faces" smiling and saying "Hello" portrays multicultural characters that reminds us of the diversity that exists within the region.  Young readers and their adult caregivers will appreciate seeing themselves represented in such an inclusive manner.  

East Coast Counting is Dawn Baker's twelfth book published by Flanker Press. Exquisitely presented and full of detailed endnotes and tidbits of information, young readers and their families will be counting down to the day when they can visit the east coast in person.  

Alone On The Trail by Emily Hepditch

 

Two guys.  Two girls.  Four separate lives alone together on one mountainous backcountry trail.  Brought together during their university studies, Sadie, Morgan, Jonah and Julie thought a four day wilderness trek through the boreal forest of the Long Range Mountains seemed like a great way to celebrate graduating from university.  Little did they know that their survival would not only depend on the expensive gear they carried in their backpacks but the complex relationships that had formed between them.  As they trudge deeper and deeper into the backcountry, exhaustion sets in and the bond once shared by these carefree overconfident grads begins to show signs of breaking down.  Can this foursome rise above their growing mistrust; the newly discovered lies and deceit?  Faced with injury and in imminent danger of losing their lives, solidarity is key to survival but succumbing to the dangers of the trail is more likely especially after the discovery of a lone shack and some illegal activity.  Alone On The Trail is an adventurous drama that will make you second guess your friendships, think twice about venturing into the Newfoundland wilderness, and leave you on the edge of your seat. 

Alone On The Trail is the second novel of award-winning author Emily Hepditch.  With the release of her debut, chart topping thriller, The Woman In The Attic, just one year ago, fans and new readers will be delighted to know that Hepditch has once again penned a phenomenal story!  Characteristic of her first novel, the writing is rich and the eloquent phrasing helps to propel the story forward. Readers will appreciate the strong language and word choice used in each and every sentence, creating vivid images and a more powerful poetic narrative.  

We fall into sleep without much fight, each of us slipping into sweet slumber.  The forest isn't quite as eerie with the friendly glow of the moon hanging in the sky like a lamp overhead.  The shapes of everything near burn into my mind so as not to confuse me later, in case I open my eyes too quickly and catch a glimpse of a leaning tree that looks too human in the dark.  I doze fitfully, but each little sliver of sleep is indulgent and deep.

Organized into 13 parts as opposed to traditional chapters, Hepditch utilizes her creative license to cleverly detail a tightly woven tale in the form of a series of first person character monologues.  This organizational technique is central to the development of the four characters, allowing readers an opportunity to really get to know the internal conflict that each character brings to the developing storyline.  Struggles with acceptance, dealing with loss and abandonment, and narcissistic jealousy and gaslighting are revealed bit by bit over the course of the story, revealing just enough for the reader to gain an accurate understanding of the growing tension experienced by the four friends as they attempt to survive while on their "trip of a lifetime".   By divulging the frailties of each of the characters in such a way,  readers will discover that they themselves experience responses ranging from happiness, to disappointment, excitement and anger.  The struggles are real and relatable and the experience of riding that rollercoaster of emotion is palpable. 

My ankles tire from the bumpy earth, my toes tingling in the tips of my boots.  I stare at the back of his head; he moves confidently through the trees, undaunted by the heat or the rough grounds as we move.  As ever, he is motivated by his own confidence.  At one time I found his constant self-assurance attractive - I was even compelled by it.  But now it worries me.  Heedless arrogance is a one-way ticket into trouble.  As ever, the little defence attorney that lives in my head chimes up.  He hasn't been wrong so far, so why are you judging?

Alone On The Trail by Emily Hepditch is a must read!!  This riveting account has great cinematic appeal and one that I would sure love to see in living color!  Alone On The Trail is a Flanker Press publication.