Canadian Books

As Commander of the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield captivated the world with stunning photos and commentary from space. Now, in his first book, Chris offers readers extraordinary stories from his life as an astronaut, and shows how to make the impossible a reality.
 
Chris Hadfield decided to become an astronaut after watching the Apollo moon landing with his family on Stag Island, Ontario, when he was nine years old, and it was impossible for Canadians to be astronauts. In 2013, he served as Commander of the International Space Station orbiting the Earth during a five-month mission. Fulfilling this lifelong dream required intense focus, natural ability and a singular commitment to “thinking like an astronaut.” In An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, Chris gives us a rare insider’s perspective on just what that kind of thinking involves, and how earthbound humans can use it to achieve success and happiness in their lives.
Astronaut training turns popular wisdom about how to be successful on its head. Instead of visualizing victory, astronauts prepare for the worst; always sweat the small stuff; and do care what others think. Chris shows how this unique education comes into play with dramatic anecdotes about going blind during a spacewalk, getting rid of a live snake while piloting a plane, and docking with space station Mir when laser tracking systems fail at the critical moment. Along the way, he shares exhilarating experiences, and challenges, from his 144 days on the ISS, and provides an unforgettable answer to his most-asked question: What’s it really like in outer space?
Written with humour, humility and a profound optimism for the future of space exploration, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth offers readers not just the inspiring story of one man’s journey to the ISS, but the opportunity to step into his space-boots and think like an astronaut—and renew their commitment to pursuing their own dreams, big or small.

CHRIS HADFIELD is one of the most seasoned and accomplished astronauts in the world. The top graduate of the U.S. Air Force test pilot school in 1988 and U.S. Navy test pilot of the year in 1991, Colonel Hadfield was CAPCOM for twenty-five Shuttle missions and NASA’s Director of Operations in Russia. Hadfield served as Commander of the International Space Station where, while conducting a record-setting number of scientific experiments and overseeing an emergency spacewalk, he gained worldwide acclaim for his breathtaking photographs and educational videos about life in space. His music video, a zero-gravity version of David Bowie's “Space Oddity,” has nearly 50 million views, and his TED Talk on fear has been viewed over 10 million times. He helped create and host the National Geographic miniseries One Strange Rock, with Will Smith, and has a MasterClass on exploration. Chris Hadfield's books, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, You Are Here and The Darkest Dark, have been bestsellers all around the world, topping the charts for months in his Canadian homeland.

In this bold collection of more than 100 recipes, the world of comfort food and vegan cooking collide as Lauren Toyota shares her favourite recipes and creative ways to make Philly cheesesteak, fried chicken, and mac 'n' cheese, all with simple vegan ingredients. Never one to hold back, Lauren piles plates high with cheese sauce, ranch, bacon, and barbecue sauce, all while sharing personal stories and tips in her engaging and hilarious voice. The result is indulgent, crave-worthy food - like Southern Fried Cauliflower, The Best Vegan Ramen, and Raspberry Funfetti Pop Tarts - made for sharing with friends at weeknight dinners, weekend brunches, and beyond.

A funny and fascinating tour de force from Will Ferguson, three-time winner of the Leacock Medal for Humour.

Ferguson has spent years wandering and musing across Canada and beyond. Canadian Pie includes his reflections on the lost art of crank calls, tips on how to get someone to pick blueberries out of a muffin for you, and lessons of a mini-bar ninja. There are “lost” radio scripts of a Maritime soap opera, a roundup of big objects beside the highway, and an ode to young love in Old Quebec. Read about his encounter with an aging kamikaze pilot, listen in on an interview with a pair of Canadian brothers playing semi-pro hockey in Japan, gain an appreciation of the unintentional beauty of New Brunswick’s covered bridges, learn how to pick up women (or not), join a journey on the rainforest coast of Vancouver Island, take a trip to PEI in search of someone—anyone—who will criticize Almighty Anne, and much more.

World-renowned cartoonist Seth returns with three new ghost stories for 2024.

After the death of his wife in childbirth, Captain Dalgety has grown distant from his estate and young daughter. But during his walk home one afternoon, a sudden thunderstorm causes a series of revelations, and the captain’s life takes an unexpected turn.

Praise for Christmas Ghost Stories

The most exciting edition yet of the world's best-selling almanac for kids! Including animals, space, inventions, history, and more, it's a one-stop shop for every curious kid!

Kids who want to know everything about everything need the National Geographic Kids Almanac, Canadian Edition. This latest edition is packed with incredible photos, tons of fun facts, crafts, activities, and fascinating features about animals, science, nature, technology, conservation, and more. Practical reference material, including fast facts and maps of every country, has been fully updated. Homework help on key topics is sprinkled throughout the book. A must-have book for curious kids!

The third title in the beloved and bestselling Ice Chips series by acclaimed authors Roy MacGregor and Kerry MacGregor and illustrator Kim Smith, featuring a vibrant and diverse cast of characters and inspiring hockey greats

Would you play on a team with your worst enemy?

Lucas Finnigan and his friends on the Riverton Ice Chips know a thing or two about time travel—at least, they’ve been learning. The magical flooding of their beloved hometown rink has already whisked Lucas, Edge and Swift into the past to meet Gordie Howe and Sidney Crosby when those hockey greats were just kids. That’s how they learned about the roots of the game, and about how far practice can take them . . . but this time?

When goalie Swift is invited onto an all-girls hockey team but refuses to join forces with Chips’ rival Beatrice Blitz, Lucas decides that their only option—even as Swift’s sister, Sadie, guesses their secret—is to leap through time once again.

Pretty soon Lucas, Swift and Sadie find themselves smack in the middle of the Calgary Olympics. A determined young hockey player known as Chicken is in desperate need of new teammates to compete in an Olympic-style match. But do the Chips have what it takes to help Chicken’s team get back in the game and win? And will winning be enough to change Swift’s mind about the new team back home? With a clever lesson from their new friend—who’ll go on to become one of Canada’s best-loved Olympic hockey players—anything is possible.

A bright, bold and modern Italian cookbook packed with 115+ delicious mix-and-match recipes, plus a few goofs and some
thoughts on creating a fuller life for yourself and the people around you.

A different kind of cookbook, from a different kind of restaurant. The team behind the award-winning Montreal pizza joint Elena presents Salad Pizza Wine, delivering recipes for all of life’s good things, with fresh, delicious and easy-to-recreate takes on modern Italian dishes, including:

Elena’s famous pizza
If you could eat pizza every day and feel great, would you believe it? From heavy-hitters to off-menu pies, the secret to a pizza-filled life is in Elena’s naturally leavened dough.

Salads + Vegetables
Like people, this book contains multitudes; you can stuff your face with pizza on the daily and take pleasure in eating vegetables with the seasons.

Pasta
Learn how to make two super versatile doughs and their multiple variations, and impress your loved ones with an all-star roster of favorite pastas.

Meat + Fish
Take your pick from weeknight-friendly recipes, dishes to save for special occasions and one once-in-a-lifetime adventure: the gargantuan Timpano, inspired by the classic film Big Night.

Hoagies
Who doesn’t love sandwiches? Portable and easy to share with a friend, hoagies are also perfect for wrapping up all your tasty leftovers.

Desserts
End every meal on a high note with a series of serious sweet treats for beginners and advanced bakers alike.

Go-Tos
Lay the foundation for your home-cooking adventure with basic recipes that deliver big flavor, from crunchy toasted breadcrumbs and multi-purpose sauces to simple pickles and homemade cheeses.

More than a collection of recipes, Salad Pizza Wine shares Elena’s passion for natural wines too—the wine part of Salad Pizza Wine—as well as their goofs and thoughts on living a fuller life. The authors—Janice, Stephanie, Ryan, Marley—were part of Elena’s opening team who came together, burnt out from years in the restaurant industry and ready to start afresh. Their answer was to create a restaurant that was also a healthy working environment (gasp). At Elena, it’s all about making the most of a good thing—and the same goes for this book. Whether it’s planning a dinner (salad, pizza, wine? pizza, pasta, dessert? salad, meat, hoagie?), or letting go of stuff that no longer serves you, Salad Pizza Wine encourages you to choose your own adventure—both in the kitchen and in life.

Written in a self-deprecating, tongue-in-cheek style, this is a cookbook you’ll really want to cook from, as well as to read. Because what’s better than cooking beautiful food, being kind to those around us and laughing as we all try to figure it out?