Books published by publisher Westwinds Press 2015

A father-son river kayaking trip in the wilderness goes terribly wrong and leaves Aaron hungry, exhausted, and battered from a fall. Can he rescue his gravely injured father before time runs out on them both? Aaron’s latest thrill-packed adventure takes him river kayaking with his dad in the remote Canadian wilderness. The trip tests his confidence, perseverance, patience and survival skills in encounters with bears, moose, and life-threatening accidents. For more of Aaron's Wilderness adventures, read Desolation Canyon and Bella Bella.

This state ABC book for children features brilliant color photographs; each lively page highlights a unique aspect of Alaska’s beauty and culture. For each letter, a short poem describes the pictured word. The book’seye-popping design and educational content will hold the child’s interest throughout countless readings. The mission of Boys and Girls Clubs Alaska is to empower and inspire the diverse youth of Alaska to reachtheir full potential by offering them hope, opportunity, and a safe environment.

Little Wolf, pup of Gray Wolf and White Wolf, bounds into the world and through the seasons in this new children’s picture book. Inside the safety of the den, through fields of wildflowers, and in birch shimmering in an autumn moon’s glow, Van Zyle’s paintings depict Little Wolf’s adventures through a variety of perspectives from close-up portraits to sweeping action scenes. Jonathan London’s lyrical prose imparts a wisdom to the text, endearing the reader to the pup and creating a suspenseful read-aloud.

The true story of Ellie, a formerly abandoned mixed-Lab puppy, and her new owner who hike the 2,000 Appalachian Trail and ford rivers, scale rugged cliffs, and survive howling storms. It is a charming story of friendship and teamwork that teaches lessons about courage, determination, trust, and love.Readers will also enjoy reading Pam Flowers' newest book just published, SOJO: MEMOIRS OF A RELUCTANT SLED DOG. This new book chronicles the life of Sojo, one of Pam's sled dogs, in a jaunty story told from Sojo's perspective and is sure to delight readers of all ages.

Salt and Pepper may look like twins, but in all other ways, they're nothing alike. Salt is a wild guy with messy fur and bad manners. Pepper is a little lady, obedient and sweet. Then one day at the Pike Place Market, the crowd gets thick, the fish are flying, and two little dogs accidentally get switched, ending up with the wrong owners. Now what? After the switcharoo, the two spend a wild morning trying to figure out what's expected of them, while their owners are unaware they have the wrong dog. Children will delight in knowing this secret until another bout of confusion mixes everything up again, happily reuniting the dogs with their favorite people.

A seven-year-old ranch girl (she’s almost eight!) wakes up to a beautiful day for an adventure, and gets permission from her mom to ride her pony Pinto solo across the ranch to visit her grandparents. She has exciting experiences along the way, including a rattlesnake scare and a runaway bunny, and she saves a calf stuck in a mud hole using her training in roping on horseback. She successfully leads the calf and its momma cow to her grandparents’ corral.

""Once upon a maritime..."" begins this clever tale. What? A fish wearing a hat? Here's the comical story about a little red snapper who dons her red hood and sets out for her grandmother's home with a fresh-baked octopi. Meanwhile, the opportunistic wolf eel is busy kicking Grandma out of her clam bed and tucking himself in. Yes, it's a comical twist on a classic, set under the sea, and with an amiable turn from the traditional ending. Illustrated with richly colored linocuts by notable Alaskan artist, Evon Zerbetz, LITTLE RED SNAPPERHOOD is told in whimsical verse that tickles adults and children alike. You'll never think about the ""big, bad wolf"" in the same way! Look for the bonus material at the end of the story, too: a paper doll of Little Red Snapperhood, along with several of her hats, all ready for coloring.

Cassie’s family's ranch is struggling financially and the ranch will go under if the cows and calves aren’t brought down safely from high summer pastures before the weather turns cold. The stakes are high: if the cattle are lost, so is the ranch and their way of life. Cassie and Jasper head for the mountains to bring the cattle home. Trail riding, camping, and herding cows is nothing new for the seasoned ranch kids, but an early snowstorm, rustlers, and other dangers turn the weekend into a fight for survival for kids and cattle alike. It will take all of their courage, cowboy skills, and some horseshoe-charm good luck to get them and the cattle home.

From award-winning author Eric A. Kimmel with gorgeous, brightly patterned illustrations from artist Mara Penny, Hank and Gertie brings a modern twist to the classic Hansel and Gretel folktale combined with the high-adventure landscape of the Oregon Trail. While taking a break from their journey out west, Hank and Gertie lose their way back to their covered wagon and stumble upon the most glorious house made of candy. Little do they know there’s a dangerous witch lurking nearby, and she’s got her eye on the two hungry and vulnerable children.

The Bearpaw children learn of a white buffalo calf that is born on a ranch far from their home. The family leaves on a spontaneous pilgrimage in their camper to take gifts to the newborn. The children had grown up with the story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman, the powerful spirit who saved a starving tribe in ancient times, and had been reborn in the form of a white buffalo. But the white calf is protected by its large mother. What will happen to the children in the moonlight inside the corral? A contemporary story that resonates with young readers of all backgrounds is based on an oral story passed down in the Bearpaw family. The White Buffalo Calf Woman, the powerful spirit who had saved a starving tribe in ancient times, had been reborn in the form of a white buffalo calf. Now that story seems to be coming true for the Bearpaw children. The book includes the retelling of the original legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman as well as step-by-step instructions with illustrations showing how to make your own dreamcatcher.