A Newfoundland Maple by Samantha Baker

"A Newfoundland Maple" by Newfoundland author Samantha Baker is quite simply an enchanting story. When a young school aged boy, named Daniel, sets out on a summer fishing trip in western Newfoundland with his grandfather, the pair come across an old maple tree in the middle of the forest. As the grandfather explains his relationship with the tree, Daniel can't help but wonder about the bonds that are forged with the wildlife that visit the maple tree throughout the four seasons.  

I knew from the get-go that this book would be about more than just a boy and a tree when I turned the page to see a very powerful image; that of an old, withered, experienced hand gently touching the bark of the staunch and dependable maple. This illustration was a powerful reminder of the strength of these two living monuments and our dependence on them both. Just as the maple provides sustenance to the moose and her calf, shelter to the beaver and caribou, and a resting place for the bluejays the grandfather is the fountain of wisdom, knowledge, patience and perspective. Likewise, it was not lost on me that the illustrator of "A Newfoundland Maple" is Dawn Baker, author and illustrator of 8 children's books and mother to the author, Samantha. The images are vivid and captivating, a kaleidoscope of color. Young readers will delight in the illustrations and will have an opportunity to revisit the beauty in these pages by looking for a variety of insects, birds and wildlife that the illustrator has "hidden" throughout the pages of this little piece of Canadiana. This book would serve as a wonderful read aloud to primary children and especially fits well with the Grade One Newfoundland Science curriculum on seasonal changes. 

"A Newfoundland Maple" is a timeless story and suitable for both the young and young at heart. It is a Flanker Press publication.

Operation Wormwood: The Reckoning by Helen C. Escott

Sergeant Nicholas Myra has just been awarded the Chief's Commendation for outstanding leadership during Operation Wormwood; an investigation that had brought down a network of pedophiles in the province of Newfoundland and across the country. A top cop married to the police force, Myra suddenly finds himself struggling with pushing the evil images of the Child Exploitation Unit from his damaged brain. With the suicide of Father Horan, a victimized priest turned police informant, and the acquittal of the one pedophile who got away, Myra is left tormented and unable to function. Thoughts of permanently escaping reality become more and more appealing until a self-imposed 4 week leave from the force causes Myra to re-examine his life. Operation Wormwood: The Reckoning is the thrilling account of Myra's comeback from the depths of despair and the hunt for a serial killer hell-bent on making child-abusing monsters pay for their heinous crimes. 

Operation Wormwood: The Reckoning is Helen C. Escott's follow up novel to Operation Wormwood, a 2019 Arthur Ellis Awards finalist for Best First Crime Novel. In this action packed thriller, readers will be happy to know that the characters Escott developed in the Operation Wormwood novel are back and working harder than ever at attempting to solve the mystery of the wormwood disease that seems to afflict only those who are guilty of sexual crimes against children and adults. Though the crux of this fictitious story centres on the hunt for a serial killer, readers will enjoy the many sub-plots or mini-stories intertwined throughout, each seeming to highlight a theme of retribution and revenge. Whether it's Myra's struggle with PTSD, pedophile Kevin Macy's plot to get even with Myra, or Joseph Franklin's kidnapping, readers will want to keep turning the pages of this 322 page roller coaster ride.  As a trail blazer herself, author Helen C. Escott does a fantastic job at utilizing The Reckoning as a backdrop to highlight controversial topics that would make even the most hardened souls cringe. Suicide, the sexual torture and abuse of children, women and men as well as the role of the Church as an institution of support in society are all areas that Escott touches upon gently and with thoughtfulness in this novel. Her writing garners respect from the audience and sympathy for the characters.

They worked on him at breakneck speed. Blood drained from the patient's nose and mouth, covering his chest and drowning him. His whole body bobbed up and down when he came up for air. He struggled to breathe as he sat up, trying to gulp at the stale hospital air. Agatha and Dr. Gillespie tried to hold him as he flailed around the bed. A shot of pain hit him, and he curled into a ball. Finally, his body slammed back against the bed and stiffened. .... Agatha rubbed her forehead. "It seems like nobody gets out of this ward alive."

Operation Wormwood: The Reckoning is the sequel that readers will love to hate! It's raw emotion is palpable and shocking yet will leave you hopeful in knowing that there are good people in the world fighting for humanity and justice. Hats off to Helen C. Escott on the conclusion to this crime thriller! The Reckoning is a Flanker Press publication. 

The Bullet ~ Stories From The Newfoundland Railway by Robert Hunt

Conceived in hope during the days of Colonial Government, the Newfoundland Railway survived 88 years and countless bureaucratic near misses before suffering its first blow in July 1969. With suspension of passenger service aboard the Newfie Bullet, the 20 year old CN Railway seemed to be doomed from the start and finally died in controversy in September 1988 with a payout from the Federal Government of Canada that promised to improve the provincial Newfoundland road system. And so, just like that, a remarkable era of Newfoundland history came to a grinding halt leaving a whole population of people in mourning. The Bullet ~ Stories From The Newfoundland Railway is a compilation of memories, stories and recollections that provides a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operation of a struggling transportation service and the proud people who lived and died on the tracks.

The Bullet by Robert Hunt is the fifth book following a trilogy of memoirs and a book of short stories that details the life and times of growing up in St.John's, Newfoundland, "when many people barely survived on their income." Readers will be happy to know that Hunt opens this classic piece of Canadiana by detailing the historical context in which the Newfoundland Railway was born. History buffs will appreciate his comprehensive account of all the significant players who contributed to the success and eventual demise of the pre-Confederation railway. True to form, Hunt writes from the heart in recalling his love for the railway and the people whom he befriended. As I read the 20 plus stories Hunt gleaned from his own memories and various interviews with CN pensioners, I was smitten by the tenderness and admiration that he exuded during his recollections. Transported back in time to an era where chivalry was alive and well and youth respected their elders, Hunt's passion for the trains and respect for his father, the passengers and the people who worked the rails was clearly evident on every page of this book. Readers will also enjoy amusing side stories characteristic of the time. From train tragedies to transporting prisoners to travelling on the Trouters Special; it is easy to see why this iconic piece of history is still a great source of conversation in Newfoundland homes today. Most notably, however, I particularly enjoyed reading about how Hunt comes to meet and befriend Mr. Tommy Ricketts, a  respected Newfoundland soldier and Victoria Cross recipient. 

I loved my job. Every chance I got between meals I would find a spot in a coach or stand in between the coaches. I would look out at the scenery while the diesels and coaches zigzagged  across Newfoundland. With every mile we covered, the landscape was more breathtaking than the last. The rugged Newfoundland terrain could not be matched anywhere else in the world, I thought. You have to ride a train to truly understand and appreciate the experience. Sitting there as it rolls along, hearing the whistle blow, listening to the sounds of these powerful engines, is a pleasure in its own right. 

The Bullet ~ Stories From The Newfoundland Railway by Robert Hunt will transport you back in time with heartwarming stories of hard work, survival, and kindness. This piece of Canadiana is a must read for all Newfoundlanders and lovers of Canadian history. The Bullet is a Flanker Press publication. 

On This Day ~ 365 Tales of History, Mystery, and More by Dale Jarvis

Stories of lactating whales, spooky phenomenon raining blood on ship decks and scantily clad contortionists....what more could one expect from a rock isolated in the middle of the North Atlantic home to 500 000 people descended from English, Irish, French and Indigenous ancestors? Hearses for hire, fog so thick residents are lost for hours and a tavern owner who hosts meetings of the Newfoundland House of Assembly....such are the weird and wonky stories, tantalizing tidbits of trivia, to be found in Dale Jarvis' newest book by Flanker Press On This Day ~ 365 Tales of History, Mystery and More.

On This Day is a day by day record of fun facts from the 16th century all the way to present day. Researched and compiled by folklorist and storyteller Dale Jarvis, history buffs and lovers of all things Newfoundland will delight in the strange but true stories gleaned from archived copies of the Evening Telegram and other sources of provincial records. Jarvis does a superb job at highlighting the unique characteristics of the people Newfoundland has become known for. Turnip vandals, an insane fisherman, and pea-blowing nuisances are just some of the  fun characters and crazy antics that Jarvis delights in sharing with his readers. An easy to read, coffee table book, this fun and entertaining piece of Canadiana is a great way to start your day or an enjoyable gift for all those expat Newfoundlanders living abroad who crave a little dose of home.

On This Day ~ 365 Tales of History, Mystery, and More is a Flanker Press publication. Other books by Dale Jarvis can be viewed here.

In Search of Adventure ~ 70 Years of The Royal Canadian Mounted Police In Newfoundland and Labrador by Helen C. Escott

It all started on March 21, 1949 with the dispatch of nine Mounties. Arriving on our shores to establish a presence in Canada’s newest province, Newfoundland, these freshly minted officers had a huge task ahead of them. Not only were they required to establish a divisional headquarters in the capital city and to enforce federal law within the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador with the exception of St. John’s, they were also charged with absorbing the existing law enforcement agencies that had previously operated on the island when it was an independent colony. With the absorption of  the Newfoundland Rangers and the Newfoundland Constabulary in 1950, the contract policing history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police began in this province. In Search Of Adventure ~ 70 Years of The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador is an epic piece of Canadiana that chronicles the personal and professional lives of veteran officers and civilians of the RCMP who dedicated themselves to serving the coastal communities and towns of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

In Search of Adventure is author, Helen C. Escott’s,  fourth book which was written on the heels of two best selling crime thriller novels, Operation Wormwood and Operation Vanished, as well as blog-turned-book I Am Funny Like That. As a retired civilian member of the RCMP herself, there is no better author who could commemorate the service of police officers in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador than the accomplished Helen C. Escott. Two years in the making, the research conducted by Escott is neatly packaged into a 303 page paperback, chronicling  conversations and interviews with over 70 RCMP veterans, civilians and wives whom Escott refers to as “the foundation of our organization”. Readers of this wonderful collection of stories will be intrigued by the unique history of policing within our province. From the early days of the non-uniformed Newfoundland Rangers who chased speeders in a taxi to officers that had close encounters with unidentified flying objects and those who provided sage advice to constipated callers, law enforcement was not for the faint of heart or for those who were looking for routine work. The compassion and dedication required to be an effective member of law enforcement is also highlighted time and time again. From officers that go above and beyond their duties by serving lunch at their home to a couple who had been involved in an accident, to wives of officers who were stationed in remote locations and sat up all night guarding arrested individuals detained at their homes, members did what needed to be done to serve the people in their communities. And of course, no commemoration would be complete without recognizing the efforts and telling the stories of both members and civilians during the historic Badger Riot and 9/11. Though each of the stories was interesting, fascinating and, many times, humorous or sad, readers will be particularly struck by the pride, camaraderie and sense of accomplishment expressed by each veteran who served with the RCMP. 

  “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” 

Sir Winston Churchill

        (quoted by ret. Diane Butler of “B” Division Headquarters)

Helen C. Escott has done a remarkable job at capturing the stories of these brave and humble men and women while at the same time making a great contribution to the unique history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police within Newfoundland and Labrador. This is a wonderful piece of Canadiana that will be enjoyed by both law enforcement personnel and civilians alike and will leave readers with an incredible appreciation for the men and women on our frontlines. In Search Of Adventure ~ 70 Years of The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador is a Flanker Press publication. 

Man and Dog ~ Through The Newfoundland Wilderness by Justin Barbour

In April 2017, 29 year old Justin Barbour and his 9 month old Cape Shore water dog, Saku, set out on an island expedition like no other. Traversing and portaging almost 700 kilometers through the wilderness of Newfoundland on a west to east adventure, the  pair learned to survive on meager amounts of food, living off the land and surviving every type of condition imaginable. If this was not a true test of survival, surly the physical and mental prowess demonstrated from minimal human contact and 17 kilometer days would be. However, this was more than just an extreme expedition or a test of will; this was a personal and spiritual journey of interdependence, respect and love between a man, his dog, and the land they travelled.  Man and Dog ~ Through The Newfoundland Wilderness is the modern quintessential Newfoundland adventure the likes that hasn't been seen since the early explorers of the late 19th century.

Breaking through the riverside bush, I laid eyes on what awaited us. Prying the green fir boughs from my face, I spied open water and precarious ice on Burnt Pond River. Much of what was in my view was still frozen, but out toward a narrow channel, squeezed together by two points of land, was a clear opening across. With the snow now coming down sideways, I had to get out there for a closer inspection. I was reluctant to ease out on the disintegrating ice, but there wasn't much choice. Saku stayed close. It was black in places, and what looked to be dead standing trees in the cove had no doubt created more deadly air pockets. To our left a small stream trickled into the river, and we hopped over its four foot width and continued on the other side toward the channel, which was about 200 yards away.

                                                                                                                                        ~ Day 14

Driven by a love of sport and fitness, Justin Barbour's thirst for exploration and adventure was initially inspired by a canoe trip undertaken as part of a Physical Education degree at Memorial University. Fueled by a fascination with nature, this course stirred a "thirst for exploration and adventure" and, as Barbour himself has said, "rekindled my passion to move through the great outdoors by my own power and with everything I needed to survive within reach." Man and Dog is an easy to read memoir. Written in a conversational style, readers will feel as though they are camped out with Barbour, sharing a fire or a meal of trout soup. This book intimately details the day by day highs and lows, moments of euphoria and challenges experienced by Justin and Saku. From navigating the tuckamore of Shoe Hills to bushwhacking through the backcountry; traversing through the Long Range Mountains during a lingering winter to staring death in the face while rafting  down Salmon Arm; Barbour chronicles his thoughts and feelings and daily life or death choices  made during the four stages of his expedition. Always positive, readers will be impressed by Barbour's knowledge, passion, tenacity and meticulous attention to detail.  Though there were many mistakes made along the way, Barbour is quick to recognize them and even quicker to learn from them. Most impressive, however, are the thoughtful realizations, introspective comments and spiritual awakening that is evident throughout the entire memoir, gleaned from Barbour's pushed-to-the-brink experiences. 

The rush was still pulsing through my body. All I wanted to do was hold Saku, relax with him, and curl into a ball by the fire. So many thoughts ran through my head. Was I pushing things too hard? Maybe I had gotten complacent. Up to this point in my four years of wilderness travel, even after travelling hundreds of kilometers through some tricky terrains, I had yet to have any life threatening ordeals.......Now I had gotten my first real taste of nature's power and realized the Hydro rivers around here were not to be messed with. I had felt invincible living this life in the wild, but not anymore, not out here.....You learn by doing, and the opportunity, although a bit out of my skill range, was there. It was a small window, and I had every right to go after it. That's the thrill I chase. 

                                                                                                                                   ~ Day 35

Man and Dog ~ Through The Newfoundland Wilderness is a book for all to enjoy! Readers, whether nature lovers or city dwellers, will get to live the journey first-hand from the comfort of their own home and will, no doubt , be left to contemplate what their own big adventure will be. Boil the kettle and prepare to enjoy a mug up in the big open land. You will be left inspired! Man and Dog is a Flanker Press publication.

M Is For Murals ~ An Alphabet Storybook by Trudy Stuckless

M Is For Murals, written by retired nurse and first time author Trudy Stuckless, is more than just a children's alphabet book with cute rhythm and rhyme; it is a celebration of art and all the people who produce it including those who partnered with Stuckless, Newfoundland artists Boyd Chubbs and Craig Goudie. Yes, the writing has great flow and a musical lilt that easily rolls from the tongue but the highlight and real appeal of this book are the beautiful muralistic images  located in the seaport town of Botwood, Newfoundland and the ancient calligraphy used to tell their story.

While one would presume that an alphabet book is meant entirely for children, this book is completely different. M Is For Murals is intended for both children and adults. It is not a book that can be devoured and then laid back upon the bookshelf. Rather it begs to be slowly consumed, page by page, reading the words, deciphering the murals, discussing the process and the history that they depict. The duality of the book is a feature I quite admire as without an adult the book is meaningless to a child and without the child the intention of the story cannot be fully enjoyed by the adult. Boyd Chubbs purposeful choice of 700 year old English alphabet to begin each verse in this book reminds us of our past and where the printed word originated. Likewise, the use of cursive writing as a font style will also intrigue young readers of the digital era and lends itself to another whole new discovery and teaching opportunity.

2020 marks the Botwood Mural Arts Society's 10th anniversary. M Is For Murals is a very fitting way to mark this milestone and to celebrate Botwood's claim to fame as "Mural Capital of Newfoundland and Labrador". The 13 murals dotted throughout the town are beautiful depictions of a vibrant past; from historic community places like "Sceviour's Sawmill",  "Twilight of Airmail" and the stunning "The Two R's", artists also pay homage to those who have gone before us in "Clash of Cultures", "Salute To Our Veterans" and "Botwood, WWII". I would be remiss not to mention the iconic railway mural entitled "Come Home"  measuring 9000 square feet. M Is For Murals beautifully illustrates each of these pieces of artwork and aptly recognizes the talented artists from Newfoundland and the world who have come together to produce them. 

M Is For Murals is a delightful read and should be part of your 2020 summer Staycation plans. Kudos to the Botwood Mural Arts Society in believing in a creative economy and working to preserve the life and times of the people of Botwood and kudos to Trudy Stuckless, Boyd Chubbs and Craig Goudie for preserving this history in the form of the printed word. M Is For Murals is a Flanker Press publication.

Please support the Botwood Mural Arts Society by visiting their webpage.