Books published by publisher Fifth House Books

Chosen as Canada's Environment Hero of the Year for 2005 by Reader's Digest Brian Keating continues to inspire children and adults alike in his exciting Going Wild series, which is perfect for reluctant readers. The fifth book in the series places readers squarely in Keating's shoes as he explores some of the most remote islands on Earth and finds out about the amazing adaptations that animals, fish, and birds have made to survive island environments. In Amazing Animal Adventures on Islands, natural surprises abound as Keating: Tries to keep his hiking boots out of a kaka's beak on the slopes of a New Zealand mountain Travels deep into the forests of Sarawak, Malaysia, on Borneo to find the elusive orangutan Sleeps on the forest floor of Haida Gwaii to see ancient murrelets call their chicks out to the ocean Sails to the Galapagos Islands in Charles Darwin's footsteps, into the land of vampire finches and giant tortoises Lives every birdwatcher's dream in Papua New Guinea, dancing with birds of paradise Dives into the waters of Lake Malawi and swims with the amazing cichlid fish that keep their babies in their mouths Leaps from tree to tree with the indri lemur of Madagascar "As the zoo's head of education for 15 years, Keating didn't just want people to learn more about nature, he wanted them to fall in love with it . . . 'We need someone like Brian, someone who tells us what is going on out there in the wild places of the world.'" -- Reader's Digest

The second of eight books in the Fifth House Going Wild children's nonfiction adventure series, Amazing Animal Adventures at the Poles presents world-famous naturalist Brian Keating's amazing-but-true firsthand accounts of his travels in the world's remote polar regions. Seemingly devoid at first glance of all but the most basic of flora and fauna, the Arctic and Antarctic lands and waters are actually full of exciting natural wonders and fascinating creatures that must be seen to be believed! Join Brian Keating as he describes: Swimming with the canaries of the ocean in Cunningham Inlet Playing with minke whales in the Antarctic Meeting the superbears of Frobisher Bay Watching kings in their finest suits on South Georgia Island Living on the edge in the Antarctic Each story, told by Keating with boundless energy and enthusiasm, provides details in easily digestible bites and features full-colour photographs with fact-filled cutlines, a small glossary, and an information sidebar - "Brian's Notes." Also included in the book are an activity to encourage students to have their own backyard adventures, a full-colour world map showing the locations of Keating's wildlife adventures, and an index.Keating has been a weekly guest on CBC Radio Calgary for nearly two decades and has been featured bi-weekly on the Discovery Channel for the past six years. In addition to his full time job at the zoo, Keating is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Calgary, a pilot, a scuba diver, and mountaineer. Brian is accompanied on wilderness trips and adventures by his wife, Dee, who is a local Calgary physician. Teacher's Guides are available at Fitzhenry.ca

Prairie Sentinel preserves the history of the grain elevator in Canada. It covers the period from the first elevator in 1879 to the larger, more efficient terminals of today. The detailed text and archival photographs provide a lasting tribute to these cultural landmarks. In one respect the grain elevator is simply a storage container with the capacity to weigh, clean, and load grain. But as anyone who lives on the prairies knows, the elevator has a more significant social purpose and meaning. Standing out on the horizon, visible from miles away, the grain elevator is a potent reminder of the region's history and a symbol of its economic lifeblood. Farming has changed dramatically since the early days when grain elevators were new technology. Today, the elevator is quickly being replaced by innovations in farming, grain storage, and transportation. Because the country elevator has entered popular culture- especially art and literature- the loss of these monoliths is changing more than just the face of rural western Canada.

For forty-two years, one group of brave men dominated the fur trade in Canada under the North West Company name. This is story of the company from its creation in 1779 to its union with the Hudson_s Bay Company in 1821. During this period, traders and explorers such as Alexander Henry, David Thompson, Simon McTavish, and Peter Pond explored territories previously unknown to those of European descent, made first contact with countless Native tribes, and risked their lives daily to meet the enormous European demand for beaver pelts. In this award-winning book, author Marjorie Wilkins Campbell captures the drama of the fur trade, following the lives of the Nor_Westers and the explorers and traders who braved the wilderness from the St. Lawrence river to the Pacific, from the Arctic to the Mississippi. Filled with adventure, intrigue, and excitement, The Nor_Westers brings the amazing story of the fur trade to life in vivid detail, awakening an interest in history in readers aged 12 to 16. The fur trade was a risky business. With few provisions, traders travelled by canoe and foot through the dangers of Canada_s northwest to find furs for a European market. As the demand for furs increased, the traders had to move farther and farther into the wilderness to find furs; they became explorers, heroes. But it was a hard life. Some years would be profitable, others would bring men and their families to the brink of starvation. In the face of such hardship, one group of traders joined forces in 1779. It was the beginning of an empire. For forty-two years they dominated the fur trade from the St. Lawrence to the Pacific, from the Arctic to the Mississippi. They called themselves the North West Company, and soon became known as the Nor_Westers.

"In Paris, when you walk out the door . . . the day springs to life as a full-blown performance, and if you are not part of the audience, you are part of the cast." With a wonderful turn of phrase and a wicked sense of humour, Cope provides an intimate account of everyday life in a magical city, most often as "part of the cast." Sometimes your wildest dreams really do come true. No-one knows this better than author Gordon Cope whose life took a very exciting turn when his wife, Linda, was offered a one-year posting to the world's dream destination - Paris, the City of Lights. Cope and Linda find the Paris of their dreams on the Right Bank of the Seine in Le Marais, a neighbourhood rich in controversy, conspiracy, culture, and madness - in short, their kind of place. In Paris, more than anywhere else, Cope is struck by the immediateness, the now, of his surroundings, amid centuries of history, and the subtle rhythms and pulses of the neighbourhood. His observations on life in Le Marais - its delightful residents, fascinating history, and sublime culinary experiences in the local brasseries and restaurants - are crystal clear and create an appealing intimacy. So, as Cope undergoes his own metamorphosis from typical tourist to established year-round resident, some days you might find yourself wandering the narrow lanes of Le Marais with him as he introduces you to the denizens of the area. On other days, you might find yourself at Cope's side, delving into the colourful history of Le Marais. And on in-between days, you will find your mouth watering at Cope_s delectable descriptions of their frequent forays into fine dining.

Threshing: The Early Years of Harvesting tells of the people, processes, and machines of the annual harvest in Western Canadian history. Through archival photographs, history, and stories, it captures the sense of cooperation and pride experienced by early threshing teams as well as the long hours of back-breaking and dangerous work. Prior to the 1930s, the harvest season was a time when threshing crews travelled from farm to farm, communities pulled together to bring in the golden crops, and women worked from dawn to dusk making enough food to satisfy a troop of hungry men. The introduction of the combine harvester changed the face of farming forever, but the spirit of community fostered by the early threshing process and crews lingers on today.

Joe and Cody are young Cree brothers who follow the caribou all year long, tucked into their dog sled with Mama and Papa. To entice the wandering caribou, Joe plays his accordion and Cody dances. They are so involved with their dancing and music that they don’t hear the roaring of the approaching herd of caribou. Bursting upon the boys, ten thousand animals fill the meadow. Joe is surrounded and can barely see Cody a short distance away. And neither of the boys can see their parents.And yet what should be a moment of terror turns into something mystical and magical, as the boys open their arms and their hearts to embrace the caribou spirit.

Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice, 2007 Rocky Mountain Book Award finalist, 2008 Amazing Animal Adventures in Rivers is the fourth of eight books incredible volumes in the ground-breaking Going Wild series, written for children to encourage them to explore the natural world around them. Brian Keating's high-energy enthusiasm for the wonders of nature is contagious, inspiring children and adults alike to discover, through his eyes, how rivers and the riparian areas around them are ribbons of wilderness inhabited by the most amazing animals and plants. Keating grew up fascinated by rivers, those in his own back yard and ones farther afield. Whether in the world's rivers on a canoe, raft, or swimming suit, or hiking and exploring the dense forests and woodlands surrounding them, Keating continues his tradition of bringing a world of natural surprises to his readers. Join Keating as he describes: Floating down the Zambezi River, watching bull elephants play and swim in the deep water Grizzly tracks and making ice cream from glacial ice on a raft trip down the Tatshenshini River in Yukon Territory and Alaska Watching elephants dig wells and collecting water from those wells for showerbaths and cooking at Secret Springs in Africa The giant river otters of Guyana and the woman who works to preserve them Western Grebes mistaking the highway for Duck Lake at the Creston Valley Wildlife Centre in British Columbia Teacher's Guides are available at Fitzhenry.ca

"Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice, 2009"Julie-Ann AndrA(c) is a "Gwichya Gwich'in "from Tsiigehtchic in the Northwest Territories. She is a Canadian Ranger, a mother of twin daughters, a hunter, a trapper, and a student.In "We Feel Good Out Here, " Julie-Ann shares her family's story and the story of her land-"Khaii luk," the place of winter fish. As Julie-Ann says, "The land has a story to tell, if you know how to listen. When I travel, the land tells me where my ancestors have been. It tells me where the animals have come and gone, and it tells me what the weather may be like tomorrow."Her home is an important part of who Julie-Ann is. She wants to help make sure that her environment is healthy, so it can continue to tell its story to her children and their children.

One winter afternoon, Joe and Cody went ice fishing with their papa, their mama, and Cody’s little black dog, Ootsie. It was the perfect day to fish. The sky was clear, and the sun made the snow sparkle like diamonds.Brothers Joe and Cody are spending a chilly winter afternoon ice fishing with their parents. Cody is helping Papa fish, while Mama and Joe doze in the sled. Suddenly the sled dogs sit up and sniff. A fox is across the lake, her fur as bright as flames. The sled dogs give chase, pulling Mama and Joe along on a wild ride. Written in both English, and Cree Maageesees Maskwameek Kaapit is a wonderful, lyrical story of celebration from award-winning author Tomson Highway, capturing a passing way of life for future generations. Illustrator Brian Deines has created an evocative masterpiece of shimmering oils depicting the beauty of northern Manitoba.