Staff Picks
At FriesenPress, we celebrate each and every book we help our authors publish. Here are some of our team’s recent favourites – happy reading!
The Athlete Whisperer
An Improbable Voice in Sports by
Andrea Kirby
Andrea Kirby was not a former athlete and had no ties to television. Still, in 1971, this single mom talked her way onto a small television station as a sportscaster. A rare female in the all-male culture of her beloved sports, she was harassed and discriminated against, but she wasn’t deterred. Kirby excelled at her first break and then moved to a bigger market in sports-rich Baltimore. Male colleagues said she didn’t belong, but fans loved her, teams respected her, and networks noticed her. In 1977, ABC Sports hired Andrea Kirby as its first full-time female announcer. Hosting the College Football Scoreboard and traveling the world for Wide World of Sports was her hard-fought dream come true. Heartbreakingly, the dream ended. Kirby’s survival became another great adventure. Then, a chance interview with a famous basketball player changed everything, inspiring an idea so original that it appeared as a question in the board game Trivial Pursuit. A rare, entertaining, and uplifting story, The Athlete Whisperer will inspire any reader with an improbable dream.
Sail with the Tide
a Dad's View of Addiction by
James W. Stewart
Sadly, few of us haven’t had our lives touched by addiction. Even more tragic, for many of us, it is our child who is suffering—and our child who we struggle to help. James W. Stewart is one such parent. When his late son, Joshua, started down the dark path of substance abuse more than twenty years ago, he struggled with what to do. Now, after Joshua’s passing, there are many things James wishes he’d known—and wishes he’d said or done. Harrowing and heartening by turns, Sail with the Tide is the story of one father’s difficult journey trying to be there for his son. Although many of his lessons only came after his son’s passing, James did his best with the knowledge he had and supported Joshua through rehab programs, the drug court, and the US prison system along the way. Over the course of this decades-long fight, the Stewart family all suffered, struggling with how to love and support someone who wasn’t acting in his own best interests—and the difficult, fine line between unconditional love and enablement. Many of these lessons might challenge what we’ve come to believe about addicts—and even our own instincts. But though Joshua’s life was tragically cut short, other parents may still have time. In Sail with the Tide, James hopes bearing witness to Joshua’s life may provide the consolation and support the parents of addicts so badly need—especially before it’s too late.
Albert in the Alley
by
Marissa Furry
Albert the kitten is all alone, living in a box in an alleyway, wondering what will happen when the weather turns cold without a warm home and loving family. That is, until a kind woman spots him outside—and knows just what to do. Albert in the Alley is a story about adopting the pets who become family, and opening our hearts and homes to the fluffy, floppy, fuzzy, feathery, scaly, and squirmy animals we love so dearly. Albert's story is the first Furry-Tale. A portion of proceeds from the sale of each 'Albert' book will be donated to the HBSPCA.
Fire And Rayne
Saga of the Wolf Spirit by
Paul Johnston
After guarding the royal descendants of his beloved (and deposed) Queen Kinder Amaranthine for generations, the time has finally come for Con to vanquish the evil Queen Lilith—who has used her dark magics to remain in absolute power for two hundred years—and restore Amaranthine rule with the help of Rayne, the long-lost rightful heir. But first, he must get her to the Vanguard Tower, retake it from Lilith’s possessed forces, and relight the Amaranthine crystal at its peak as a signal to all that Lilith’s reign of terror is coming to an end at last. And in the process, hopefully, awakening the royal line’s greatest ally from its cursed slumber. But it won’t be easy. The possessed forces of the dark queen fight with no fear and even less mercy. And among their number are demons capable of draining the power of anyone they touch. If they are to have any hope of success, Con and Rayne must seek the help of the Paladins, sworn enemies of the dark queen and supporters of Amaranthine rule. But will they be able to see beyond Con’s infamous dark sword and sordid past? Beyond the terrifying beast that lies within him? Will they join them in their quest or cut them down before they can even ask for help? Only time will tell.
Stories at the Kitchen Table
by
Katherine Brady
In this captivating and often humorous collection of short stories, Katherine Brady recounts the true stories of her late father Terry, bringing them to the page from the table around which the family used to gather. The tales come from Terry’s days as a Marine probie cleaning the latrine with a toothbrush, youth spent getting into trouble in small-town Massachusetts, his days fishing with family and friends, and more, offering a portrait of the man and many life lessons (even if the lesson is often what not to do). Brady honors her father in the honest and human portrayal of him and ensures his memory—and his stories—are carried to the next generation.
Flip It!
A Pocket Guide on How to Re-Sell Stuff Online for a Profit by
MacGregor Bosch
Are you tired of so called "Influencer Entrepreneurs" and scammers claiming they have found the key to financial freedom through a side hustle only for it to be a giant pyramid scheme? Flipping is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to make money and you get to be the boss! What is “Flipping”? At its most basic level, flipping is the process of sourcing undervalued, overlooked, and underpriced items at garage sales, thrift stores, and online marketplace and reselling them for a profit. It’s about identifying hidden value and connecting the right item with the right buyer through platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or any other reselling platform. Flip It! A Pocket Guide on How to Re-Sell Stuff Online for a Profit will help you navigate the reselling process from start to finish, providing you with everything you need to find instant success. You’ll learn key fundamentals like: • Where to find the best deals and how to source items that you can flip. • How to list and price stuff in various markets to maximize your profit. • Common mistakes to avoid so you can stay ahead of the competition and avoid failure. • The tools, strategies and secrets top resellers use to scale their success, and so much more! Are you already a successful reseller looking to continue and unlock your full potential? This guide will provide you with a unique perspective helping you continue to grow your own path to success. Flipping is the world’s best side hustle and this book gives you the blueprint to start flipping with confidence. Your journey to true financial freedom starts now!
Abby is my Dog Trainer
How Theory Guides Positive Dog Training by
John McAlpine
Prior to the summer of 2011, John had no particular interest in dogs or dog training. But after a dog responded to a friendly wave with a bite to his calf, John’s curiosity was piqued. Why did the dog respond that way? Was there anything he could have done differently? Then, like kismet, came a wonderful opportunity for an education in dog behavior in the form of a beautiful, long-coat German shepherd named Abby. Through Abby came schooling in how dogs’ minds work, what training techniques are effective, and (maybe more importantly) what doesn’t work when training dogs. Abby is my Dog Trainer brings these lessons to you, drawing on John’s time with Abby, his background in psychology and social work, and knowledge gained by reading over 100 books on dog training. Rather than focusing on specific training techniques, this book discusses: • Practical examples of training told in stories of John’s time with Abby, as well as funny and touching tales any pet owner can relate to • An understanding of dog behavior, learning theory, and psychological theory underlying training techniques • The power of positive, non-punitive dog training • And more! Join John as he learns from Abby about the world of dog training, as well as an even more important lesson: how special the bond with a dog can be and how the right approach to training can strengthen that bond.
Shellie Goes on an Adventure
by
Melanie Zigman
When Shellie the turtle falls out of the backyard fountain, she’s thrilled by the chance to go on an adventure, but her family is worried that she’s lost and has no idea where to start looking for her! Shellie Goes on an Adventure is the first book in the Side by Side Books series. These unique books are formatted to tell the same story from two points of view: in this case from that of the adventurous turtle and of her very worried family. Side by Side Books are formatted to help children understand the perspectives of others, develop empathy, and grow their own emotional connection with others. These books are powerful tools for parents and educators to introduce young children to situations that change based on different perspectives. They provide an opportunity to discuss emotions, points of view, and differences in a fun way