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Cannabis, unicorns and vegan kids: Local book ideas for your Christmas list

If you’re one of those people who tends to start your Christmas shopping at the last minute (as in, right about now) don’t panic.
books
From the quirky to the literary, local authors and publishers have a plethora of offerings for gifting (or keeping for yourself).

If you’re one of those people who tends to start your Christmas shopping at the last minute (as in, right about now) don’t panic.

Books make great gifts for everyone – and we’ve rounded up a few ideas of books by local authors and local publishers, from the quirky to the literary, that will be perfect for someone on your list.

 

King Zoom the Vegan Kid: Animals Used for Food

This children’s book by Burnaby author Gillian Meghan Walters (published by Mascot Books) is the first in a series of illustrated, non-fiction children’s books focusing on social justice issues. In the book, King Zoom explains the what, why and how of what it’s like to be a vegan and even shares one of his favourite vegan recipes.

Intrigued? Find out more at www.gillianmeghanwalters.com, or order through www.amazon.ca.

 

 

The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life

Amanda Siebert, a New Westminster resident, uses her first book to explore 10 evidence-based ways that cannabis can be used to improve your health – covering areas including sleep, stress and anxiety, pain management, sex, exercise and as a substitute for opioids.

Find out more at www.littlebookofcannabis.com or order through www.amazon.ca.

 

 

Girl It’s Not You (it’s definitely him)

This book by New West’s Megan Edwards and Janet Reynolds, a.k.a “The Und8ables,” promises to bring light and hilarity to the world of dating – chronicling the bad, the ugly and the just plain outrageous dates experienced by the two authors and a host of other women. “These stories aren’t for the faint of heart,” a press release says. “They’re rude, crude, often unbelievable, but will have readers laughing until they pee.”

Check them out on social media: @theund8ables on Twitter and Instagram, and The Und8ables on Facebook. You can order the book through www.amazon.ca.

 

 

The Narrow Road to the Far West: Travelling New Westminster By Postcard

This collection of poems from the City of New Westminster’s poet laureate, Alan Hill, pays tribute to the streets and sights of New Westminster – with offerings about the Pattullo Bridge, petting farm at Queen’s Park, River Market, Old Crow Coffee, the dollar store at Royal City Mall and the Great Clips on McBride Boulevard, amongst others. It’s a book that’s sure to be treasured by anyone who, like Hill, loves New Westminster.

See www.silverbowpublishing.com or order through www.amazon.ca.

 

 

Hider/Seeker

This collection of fiction by New Westminster author Jen Currin (published by Anvil Press) features short stories about relationships and almost-relationships in all their forms. “Ex-wives reunite only to be confronted with their past; an aunt believes she has made a heartbreaking discovery about her niece; a seemingly never-ending hysterical pregnancy becomes the talk of a café,” says a synopsis of the book.

See www.anvilpress.comor order through www.amazon.ca.

 

 

Hanna Who Fell From the Sky

This latest work by Christopher Meades, formerly of Burnaby, tells the story of a young woman growing up in a secluded polygamous community whose wedding day is approaching and who is faced with a choice between following her heart and following the rules. It’s published by Park Row Books (a Harper Collins imprint) and is widely available in bookstores and online – see www.chapters.indigo.ca for availability at a store near you, or order through www.amazon.ca.

 

 

McKellar & Martin Publishing

This isn’t one book, but many. The New Westminster-based publishers have a list of unique, high-quality books for all ages. Check out Taan’s Moons or Go Away, Unicorn! for young readers, or the award-winning The Journey Forward: Novellas on Reconciliation for older readers. (Go Away, Unicorn! comes particularly recommended by our newsroom’s six-year-old literary consultant.)

See www.mckellarmartin.com for a full list and ordering information.

 

 

Peppermint Toast Publishing

Another small, New Westminster-based publishing house, Peppermint Toast focuses on children’s literature – with a list of titles to appeal to young readers, including There’s a Norseman in the Classroom (another winner with the six-year-old literary consultant), Darwin the Dinosaur, I Was Born Precious and Sacred, and Too Many Kisses (the latter by Burnaby author Nancy Duarte).

See www.pepperminttoast.com for a full list and ordering information.