Books published by publisher Formac

Just who would choose to march around the Citadel Hill wearing a kilt, in the middle of winter? This book tells you why, 150 years ago, British soldiers preferred the icy breezes of Halifax to the palm trees and sunshine of the Bahamas. This is the first history book to explain how rank-and-file soldiers lived on 12 cents a day and an endless diet of boiled beef and bread. It exposes the officers' antics: they had so much status and fun, they fell flat on their faces after dinner.

Morgan doesn't like to skate, and he's determined not to learn. What he really wants to do is go to see Monster Truck-A-Rama with Charlie. Aldeen is not impressed since Morgan already agreed to go to Princesses on Ice with her. Can Morgan keep everyone happy, or is he skating on thin ice? Morgan is at his lovable best in this wry, humorous, true-to-life story.

All the kids in Morgan's class are itching to go to the zoo--all except Aldeen Hummel, the Godzilla of Grade Three. Aldeen didn't bring her eight dollars, and now she's not allowed to go. When Morgan sees Aldeen looking in the teacher's desk, he suspects there's going to be trouble. And when she shows up later with money for the trip, he knows it. Their teacher finds eight dollars missing from the trip money, and says nobody gets to go until it's returned. Morgan is sure he knows who took it, but wonders whether he should tell or not. When the money finally turns up Morgan finds he has jumped to conclusions, and that there's more to Aldeen Hummel than meets the eye. Morgan and the Money is the story of a boy who struggles with the truth, and finds that things aren't always what they seem to be.

Maritimers take great pride in watching other Maritimers do well on the national and global stage. This book tells the inspiring stories of 12 athletes drawn from a variety of backgrounds and sports. Men and women, black and white, Acadian and Mi'kmaq, able-bodied and non able-bodied. The common thread: young people who grow up in the Maritimes, with backgrounds that every reader will recognize, can and do chalk up impressive achievements. And they stay true to their roots in doing so.As CBC broadcaster Bruce Rainnie writes in the book's preface, "In every character-defining way, [the featured athletes are exactly the same today as before any money or acclaim entered their lives. No wonder we punch so far above our weight. No wonder so many of our stories are 'unlikely but possible.' And no wonder we relish in hearing these stories told, as Philip Croucher does so tastefully in this book. Quiet confidence, humility, and a rock-solid base. What a mix. What an unbeatable mix. What a Maritime mix."

The perfect pocket companion for exploring Ontario parks and hiking trailsThis full-colour book is the perfect companion for anyone who likes to take a close look at nature. From bugs to birds, wildflowers to reptiles, this pocket-size book gives key information on the creatures and plants found in parks, woodlands and wilderness areas in Southwest Ontario.Full-colour illustrations by Jeff Domm are accompanied by concise information that offers readers the keys to quick identification of many common species. Sections include:* Mammals* Reptiles* Birds* Butterflies* Insects* Mushrooms* Wildflowers* TreesAs in Jeff Domm's successful Ontario bird guides, the pages are designed to convey information through visual and graphic keys and concise text. This book will appeal to nature lovers of all ages who are curious to know more about the environment and the wild creatures and plants of their area.

The Spice Routes stretched for over 15 000 kilometres around Asia. They led form China's seas, across the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, up to the Red Sea or the Perisan Gulf and overland to the Mediterranean. The ships and boats that sailed them faced violent storms, treacherous reefs and the possibility of pirate attack, not to mention long absences from home and family. But from before records began, people have been tempted to travel these routes--to look for trade or treasure or just to satisfy their curiosity. Splendidly illustrated with dozens of historical visuals, Exploration by Sea tells of the adventures these travellers had, the finds and the contacts they made exploring the Spice Route.

Having a paper route is a lot more work than Morgan cares to take on. His parents helped him into it so he would have some money for a video game that he wants. Things get easier when he persuades Charlie to do some of the delivery, in exchange for copying Morgan's math homework. Aldeen, who has been coming along on the route, wants in on the same deal. Things go smoothly until time comes for a math test. Morgan panics. He can't help them in the test. Then his mother insists that he share the earnings with his two helpers. He wants to get out of the deal but when he gets a lower mark on the math test than his friends, the tables are turned. In this delightful new addition to the well-loved Morgan series, young readers will get a look at the fun and the trials of having a paper route.

Twins Mia and Matt can't wait to get to their uncle's summer cottage and find out what animal will be the star of their vacation. Uncle Orlando is the best animal trainer in the country for movies and television. Last time, they helped him train a group of pigs to sing. This year turns out to be a challenge―get an alligator, the slowest and laziest animal on the planet, to dance! All Nestor the Gator will do for Orlando is bathe in the sun. Will the twins get bitten, or will Matt's breakdancing skills help Nestor learn some moves? Suddenly, a strange thing happens the gator starts making a sculpture out of mud and grass. What is he up to? Mia and Matt are in for a surprise! The alligator turns out to be female, and soon thirty baby alligators, nesting in the sculpture, hatch from their eggs.

No matter where they live, Canadians expect and receive equal benefits from their government when it comes to old age pensions, consular services when travelling abroad, and airline safety. Canadians also expect the same quality of education, medical care, and social benefits anywhere in the country. But when government services come from provinces and not Ottawa, differences in the quality of services can be enormous. Canada's provinces have equal responsibilities but very unequal means to pay for those responsibilities.Equal citizenship for all Canadians is an idea that has a long and distinguished pedigree in Canadian life. When differences between the provinces grew dramatically in the early twentieth century, politicians crafted a response that sought to equalize services across the country. They called these measures "equalization," and the idea was deemed so fundamental that it was embodied in the 1982 Canadian constitution.But Canada has changed. The centre of wealth has been shifting from Ontario toward the resource-rich provinces. The wealth gap between provinces has grown -- and with it disparities in taxes and services available to citizens. Regionalism and neoconservative ideas have undermined support for equal citizenship.In this compelling new book, Richard Starr traces the history of this idea. He tracks how it has been undermined and attacked, and proposes how it can be reframed in a twenty-first century context to attract the support of most Canadians.

Morgan's best friend Charlie urges him to try the GraviTwirl ride at the Fall Fair. But Morgan is focused on the huge contender he has grown for the Perfect Pumpkin contest. That is, until Aldeen Hummel, the Godzilla of Grade Three, drops it!Morgan challenges Aldeen to bumper car wars. Aldeen dares him to go on the Asteroid Belt ride. Will Morgan be brave enough to try? And will Morgan win the Best Pumpkin Pie contest with the remains of his squished squash?