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 Inner Bay of Fundy Colouring & Activity Book
Volume 1 by
Sondra Eger, Darren Porter and Erica Porter
Who doesn’t love a colouring book? This book brings together contributions from dozens of collaborators—including scientists, fishers, and Indigenous Peoples—showcasing diverse knowledge and lived experiences. Designed to spark curiosity, encourage knowledge-sharing, and deepen appreciation for coastal and marine social-ecological systems, it offers content at varying levels to engage readers and artists alike. As a true 'choose your own adventure' experience, this book reveals new discoveries with each revisit.
From Ancient Gaul to Canada
A Trip Through the Enchanting History of French Canadians by
Dennis Kish
From the Celtic peoples of ancient Gaul to the French settlers of Québec, this is the epic tale of how we became Canadians. In 390 BC, the ancient ancestors of the French-speaking peoples lived in a huge region of western Europe known as Gaul. From Ancient Gaul to Canada charts the journey of this culture from Roman times through the formation of France, the founding of Canada’s first European settlement at Québec, the French Revolution, Confederation, the two World Wars, and the creation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Sprinkled into this timeline is the migration of the French people who settled what was to become Canada and their fight for survival in their new home. The book connects its audience to their ancestors by sharing history from a personal and intimate point of view, diving into what it felt like to live in the past and to experience the hardships the French people endured across history.
Alicia's Journey to the Past
Revisiting the Komagata Maru Incident by
Parabjot Kaur Singh
Alicia, a third-generation Canadian, doesn’t know much about her Punjabi heritage. But that starts to change when she stumbles across a memorial for the Punjabi passengers who tried immigrating to Canada on the Komagata Maru ship. To her surprise, she finds a familiar face in the memorial, and soon she is swept up in a magical adventure to the past to learn the truth about the obstacles her family faced in their journey to Canada. Written in both English and Punjabi, this short explanation of the Komagata Maru tragedy will both educate and entertain young readers about a little-known part of Canada’s history.
Picking Thorns
by
Victoria Rose
Picking Thorns is a powerful collection of poetry and prose that explores themes of mental illness, love, heartbreak, and the art of letting go. Divided into three sections—Eradication, Incandescence, and Rebirth—this collection captures the complexities of healing and self-discovery. Eradication delves into heartbreak, trauma, and the shadowed depths of mental illness. Incandescence ignites themes of love, passion, and embracing sensual energy. Rebirth celebrates renewal, self-love, and stepping fully into your own light. Written over four years, these pieces highlight both the struggles and triumphs of navigating life as a neurodivergent woman, embracing the duality of darkness and light.
Savate
A Comprehensive Guide to a European Martial Art and Modern Combat Sport by
Raphael F. Estevao
In a ring crowded with various styles of martial arts, each battling for supremacy, one is tucked in the corner: savate. Born on the docks of nineteenth-century France, savate may have started as a style of street fighting, but over time, it’s polished its roots. A seamless blend of artistry and combat, savate demands precision, strategy, and excellence. Are the rewards worth the challenge? This book delves into the fascinating history of savate, shedding light on its origins and evolution as a combat sport. It also examines how savate stands out among other martial arts styles, highlighting its unique techniques and philosophy. Providing insights into modern training methods that make this art both practical and adaptable. The simple language of French and English terminology keeps the instructions straightforward so readers can focus on developing their craft. From basic techniques to advanced methods, this manual is essential for newcomers and practitioners looking to improve their skills and refine their strategies. Savate is more than just a technical manual; it welcomes readers into a new world and perspective. While this martial art isn’t for the faint of heart, savate is for anyone, whether you’re interested in trying something new, improving your health and well-being, or overcoming your limitations. Embrace the lessons that savate imparts, the benefits are countless.
Cat Mages
Secrets in the Shadows by
Ariel Chen
Starlight and Sunshine, the two cat sisters living in the animal world of Zorema, could have never guessed what they were destined for… Little do they know, a dark shadow is rising and they are the ones tasked to stop it. Soon, a strange dream leads to an encounter with miracle. The twins and their faithful parents are thrown into a world full of lurking dangers and shadowy secrets. After facing challenge after challenge, they discover the hidden truths buried deep within the heart of the darkness. Together, Starlight and Sunshine will conquer tremendous obstacles, make unthinkable sacrifices, and come face to face with their destiny. The fate of their entire realm is in their paws…
Grazz
by
Ray Sproule
Brynn, a young Grazzian in the fantasy Land of Grazz, struggles to survive amid challenges from both within the Land—principally, an array of dystopian characters—and outside the Land, in the surprise emergence of a dwarf-stranger. Will Brynn survive or will he succumb . . . or will the outcome be far more devilishly gripping?
Leap Frog, Leap!
by
Heather Lafleur
Leap Frog, Leap! tells the story of a frustrated young frog who is struggling to learn how to leap … with the help of a young red squirrel, and a shimmering blue bird … whose advice isn’t particularly helpful at all. A delightfully amusing and colourful story, Leap, Frog! Leap! is the perfect book for young children, using nature (in all its diversity) to illustrate the importance of persistence and of accepting and embracing their own uniqueness, even when it makes them feel “different.”