Fitch & Smith Treasury
Artist: Sydney SmithPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$25.95A beautiful collector’s edition of three Sheree Fitch-tastic tales with illustrations from Hans Christian Andersen Award–winning illustrator Sydney Smith.
- What if there was a purple planet with purple people on it?
- I stuck my toes / In my nose / And I couldn’t get them out
- There were monkeys in my kitchen / They were climbing / Up the walls
In a lovely hardcover edition bursting with vibrant colour, The Fitch & Smith Treasury presents the time-tested, rollicking rhyming books from Canada’s Dr. Seuss and illustrated by Hans Christian Andersen Award–winning illustrator Sydney Smith, Mabel Murple, Toes in My Nose, and There Were Monkey’s in My Kitchen, to a whole new generation.
Toes in My Nose
Artist: Sydney SmithPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$15.95The twenty-fifth-anniversary edition of Canada’s nonsense poet’s classic book, illustrated by Governor General’s Award-winning illustrator Sydney Smith, portrays a neighbourhood of kids flying to the moon, playing banjo with orangutans, and bathing with submarines. Now available in paperback.
Because We Love, We Cry
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$17.95During the global pandemic, Sheree Fitch shared what she calls “moments”—her first-burst warm-up writing exercises, on social media almost every day. Sometimes funny verse, other times lyrical prose or poetry, these daily missives were one way to negotiate the strange, unpredictable times. On April 20, immediately upon waking, as the full story of the tragedy in Portapique, Nova Scotia, was unfolding, Fitch thought of all affected, the painful day ahead, of what parents would say to their children. She thought about grieving when apart.
These words moved through her immediately that day. Fitch shared “Because We Love, We Cry” on social media and it was embraced by Nova Scotians and those who love them across the country. It was read aloud in Canadian Parliament and during a provincial news conference about COVID-19, and by Fitch herself during a nationally broadcast vigil held for the twenty-two victims of the Portapique tragedy.
After many requests, Nimbus and Sheree have come together to make the poem available in book form. Featuring colour line drawings and the full poem on heavy cardstock for safekeeping, as well as a pull-out postcard to send to loved ones near and far, Because We Love is a mantra, a prayer, a lament, a talisman, a paper rosary, a beating heart to keep close to your own.
A portion of the book’s proceeds will be donated annually to the families of victims.
EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street
Artist: Emma FitzGeraldPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$13.95
Whispers of Mermaids and Wonderful Things Atlantic Canadian Poetry and Verse for Children
Editor: Anne Hunt, Sheree FitchPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$22.95From celebrated children’s poet and author Sheree Fitch and early childhood educator Anne Hunt comes a new paperback edition of the celebrated illustrated compendium of Atlantic Canadian poetry and verse for young readers. Spanning centuries, from Milton Acorn, Bliss Carman, and Rita Joe to Budge Wilson, Shauntay Grant, and Kathleen Winter, and a broad thematic scope—from soft lullabies and silly songs to poignant meditations on nature, loss, and love—over 100 poems from the region’s best are sure to delight educators, parents, and young readers. Whispers of Mermaids and Wonderful Things is a feast for the senses.
You Won’t Always Be This Sad A Book of Moments
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$24.95In the wake of her son’s unexpected death, author and storyteller Sheree Fitch wrote it all down, penning an honest, lyrical memoir with words to stir heart. You Won’t Always Be This Sad invites readers on a journey through grief towards hope, guided by the immeasurable depths of a mother’s love.
Kiss the Joy as it Flies Tenth-anniversary edition
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$18.95With all the wisdom, humor and joy we’ve come to expect from Sheree Fitch, Kiss the Joy As It Flies, first published in 2008, marked the well-loved author’s move from children’s literature to adult fiction.
Set in the fictional Maritime town of Odell, with a cast of exasperating but lovable characters, Kiss the Joy As It Flies promises to be a remarkable debut and a reader’s favorite. Panic-stricken by the news that she needs exploratory surgery, forty-eight-year-old Mercy Beth Fanjoy drafts a monumental to-do list and sets about putting her messy life in order. Among other things (hide the vibrator!), she’s determined to finally uncover the identity of her secret admirer; reconnect with long-lost friend and rival Teeny Gaudet; and, most importantly, get her hands on the note her father left before committing suicide all those years ago. But tidying up the edges of her life means the past comes rushing back to haunt her and the present keeps throwing up more to-do’s. Between fits of weeping and laughter, ranting and bliss, Mercy must contemplate the meaning of life in the face of her own death. In a week filled with the riot of an entire life, nothing turns out the way she’d expected.
If I Were the Moon Twentieth – anniversary edition
Artist: Leslie WattsPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$22.95If I were the moon
I’d shine down my light
Right into your bedroom
To warm up the night.A timeless bedtime book that “beautifully captures that perfect moment when a child is tucked up in bed, spellbound by the voice of an older sibling or an adult sharing a special book” (Books in Canada).
With lyrical text, lit up by soft and gentle illustrations, If I Were the Moon makes its triumphant return to print in a beautiful hardcover just in time for its twentieth anniversary.
If You Could Wear My Sneakers
Artist: Darcia LabrossePublisher: Nimbus Publishing$22.95A Sheree Fitch classic, the Silver Birch and Hackmatack Award-winning children’s picture book about children’s rights, If You Could Wear My Sneakers, is now available for a new generation of young readers. A series of humorous poems, paired with timeless illustrations, interprets 15 of the 54 articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Hullabaloo Bugaboo Day
Artist: Kelly UlrichPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$11.95Upper Millidocket Elementary School is an exceptionally lovely place to be. The children are excited to learn, the teachers are excited to teach, and the school secretary holds everything together. But when Mr. Tiggle, the principal, forgets to recite his daily poem during the morning announcements, everything goes upside down. Miss Argyle, the school secretary, disappears (and decides to stay disappeared for a while), tarantulas escape their cages, and the school comes very close to falling completely apart. A second edition of a Sheree Fitch classic with new illustrations from Kelly Ulrich.
There Were Monkeys in My Kitchen (pb)
Artist: Sydney SmithPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$12.95Willa Wellowby’s house has been overrun by monkeys. They’re ballet dancing, playing the bagpipes, listening to the Beatles, and causing mayhem and destruction all over the house and yard. And the more Willa asks them to leave, the more havoc they wreak. She calls the police, the RCMP, the FBI, and Scotland Yard to get rid of these monkeys…but when the Mounties finally show up, it’s Willa who’s in trouble!
First published in 1992, There Were Monkeys in My Kitchen won the Canadian Children’s Book Centre Mr. Christie Award for Best Canadian Children’s book, ages 8 and under. This new softcover edition will introduce the bestselling book to a whole new generation.
Singily Skipping Along
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$19.95Kidlit heavyweight Sheree Fitch of River John and world-renowned rug hooking artist Deanne Fitzpatrick of Amherst have teamed up to create a kids’ book about body movement called Singily Skipping Along .Fitzpatrick’s rugs are on sale in an online auction (singilyskipping.ca) with all proceeds going toward L’Arche Atlantic, which is dedicated to homes, programs and support networks for people who have intellectual disabilities.“I didn’t want those rugs to get sold off one by one. I wanted something special to happen to them,” says Fitzpatrick.The rugs, each 38 centimetres by 38 centimetres, are “about being in the moment, about play.”
Mabel Murple (pb)
Artist: Sydney SmithPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$13.95What if there was a purple planet with purple people on it? Sheree Fitch answers this question with a zany tongue-twister of a poem featuring Mabel Murple, a daredevil who rides a purple motorbike through purple puddles, skis on purple snow, and on her pancakes pours maple syrup.
With a rich and vivid purple palette, Sydney Smith’s brand-new illustrations reflect the wild joy in this classic poem. Originally published in 1995, Mabel Murple won the Ann Connor Brimer award for children’s literature.
Sleeping Dragons All Around pb
Artist: Michele NidenoffPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$13.95In this classic children’s book, a girl wakes up in the middle of the night and wants some cake. But to reach the refrigerator, she has to tiptoe past a host of sleeping dragons, like Priscilla in her pink pantaloons, the punk rock dragon Fagan with spiky green hair, and Beelzebub (who sleeps in the tub). When she stubs her toe, the dragons wake up, and she has to think fast to befriend the dragons.
An award-winning bestseller first published in 1989, Sleeping Dragons All Around is back to spark the imaginations of a whole new generation. Sheree Fitch’s celebrated lipslippery poetry and Michele Nidenoff’s colourful illustrations combine to make one of the most delightful children’s books ever published in Canada.Sheree Fitch has read this book to audiences from sea to sea to sea in Canada, in the Himalayas, and along the eastern coast of Africa. Her first two books, Toes in My Nose and Sleeping Dragons All Around, launched her career as a poet, rhymster, and a “kind of Canadian female Dr. Seuss.” Fitch has won almost every major award for Canadian children’s literature since then, including the 2000 Vicky Metcalf Award for a Body of Work Inspirational to Canadian Children. She has over twenty-five books to her credit. Fitch’s home base is the east coast of Canada. She dances with dragons daily.
Michelle Nidenoff’s illustrations have been featured in magazines and children’s books, including The Canadian Children’s Treasury. Among her credits is a bronze award from the Broadcast Design Association in Ontario. She lives in Toronto.
Bisous bisous bébé-ô!
Artist: HildaRosePublisher: Nimbus Publishing$11.95Bisous, Bisous, Bebe-O! is the french translation of the immensely popular board book, Kisses, Kisses, Baby-O!
Using rhythm and onomatopoeia, Sheree Fitch’s bubbly text, expertly translated by Jo-Anne Elder, begins with baby waking, and follows through eating, bathing, playing, and finally sleeping. Repetition, rhythm, and active verbs create a lively story that can be read again and again.
Sur la rue de Tout-le-Monde
Artist: Emma FitzGeraldPublisher: Bouton d'or Acadie$16.95“If ever you go walking on Everybody street you will see everyone’s different.”
Summer Feet
$22.95From those first barefoot days, wobble-dy walking over rocks and pebbles, to wandering-wild while searching for sea glass and, finally, huddled-up cozy at a late-summer bonfire, these summer feet flutter kick, somersault, hide-and-seek, and dance in the rain, soaking up all the season has to offer. With Sheree Fitch’s classic lip-slippery, lyrical rhymes and Carolyn Fisher’s bright and colourful illustrations, Summer Feet will be an instant summertime favourite.
The Other Author Arthur
Artist: Jill QuinnPublisher: Pottersfield Press$9.95With Sheree Fitch’s wonderful and unusual sense of humour, and her alluring way with words, here’s another chapter book for young readers about a mix-up that could happen anywhere.
Kisses Kisses, Baby-O! Trilingual Edition
Artist: HildaRosePublisher: Nimbus Publishing$9.95Kisses Kisses Baby-O! is a story for newborns told from the point of view of a parent or caregiver, but with high interaction with baby’s world and tuned to events in baby’s day.
Beloved Canadian children’s author Sheree Fitch delivers fun, intelligent, participatory text that is a joy to read. Using rhythm and onomatopoeia, Sheree’s bubbly text begins with baby waking, and follows through eating, bathing, playing, and finally sleeping. Repetition, rhythm and active verbs create a lively story that can be read again and again.
Heart-warming illustrations by HildaRose combine realism and a whimsical, artistic style, while paying close attention to the needs of newborn readers, including such elements as: stimulating visuals, patterns, baby faces, cultural diversity and interaction with others.
This brand new trilingual edition features English, French, and Mi’kmaw text, and thick paper stock for durability.
EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street
$22.95If ever you go travelling
On EveryBody Street
You’ll see EveryBody’s Different
Than EveryOne you meetSheree Fitch’s playful words lead you into this beautiful children’s book and invite you to celebrate our gifts, our weaknesses, our differences, and our sameness. Fitch displays her wit and mastery of words in quick, rollicking rhymes that are complemented by Emma Fitzgerald’s lively illustrations. EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street was originally produced in 2001 as a fundraiser to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Festival of Trees in support of the Nova Scotia Hospital and to raise awareness for mental illness and addiction.
Whispers of Mermaids and Wonderful Things Children’s Poetry and Verse from Atlantic Canada
Editor: Anne Hunt, Sheree FitchPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$29.95From celebrated children’s poet and author Sheree Fitch and early childhood educator and researcher Anne Hunt comes this illustrated compendium of Atlantic Canadian poetry and verse for young readers. Spanning centuries of work, from Milton Acorn to Kathleen Winter, and a broad thematic scope–from soft lullabies to silly, jiggly lyrics, poignant meditations on nature, loss, and love–over 100 poems from the region’s best are sure to delight educators, parents, and young readers everywhere. With brilliant spot illustrations from acclaimed New Brunswick artist Lloyd Fitzgerald, Whispers of Mermaids and Wonderful Things is a feast for all senses.
Kiss the Joy As It Flies
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$17.95Shortlisted for the Leacock Medal for Humour. A new smaller format of Fitch’s critically acclaimed adult novel.
Panic-stricken by the news that she needs exploratory surgery, forty-eight-year-old Mercy Beth Fanjoy drafts a monumental to-do list and sets about putting her messy life in order. But tidying up the edge of her life means the past comes rushing back to haunt her and the present keeps throwing up more to-dos. Between fits of weeping and laughter, ranting and bliss, Mercy must contemplate the meaning of life in the face of her own death. In a week filled with the riot of an entire life, nothing turns out the way she expected.
Weska’qelmut Apje’juanu
Artist: HildaRosePublisher: Nimbus Publishing$6.50Weska’qelmut Apje’juanu is the Mi’kmaq language translation of Kisses Kisses Baby-O! Kisses Kisses Baby-O! is a story for newborns told from the point of view of a parent or caregiver, but with high interaction with baby’s world and tuned to events in baby’s day.
Beloved Canadian children’s author Sheree Fitch delivers what she’s famous for: fun, intelligent, participatory text that is a joy to read. Using rhythm and onomatopoeia, Sheree’s bubbly text begins with baby waking, and follows through eating, bathing, playing, and finally sleeping.
Repetition, rhythm and active verbs create a lively story that can be read again and again. Heart-warming illustrations by HildaRose combine realism and a whimsical, artistic style, while paying close attention to the needs of newborn readers, including such elements as: stimulating visuals, patterns, baby faces, cultural diversity and interaction with others. And babies will drool over the small, easy to hold format! Translated from English by Bernie Francis.
Kiss the Joy as it Flies
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$19.95With all the wisdom, humour, and joy we’ve come to expect from Sheree Fitch, Kiss the Joy As It Flies marks the well-loved author’s move from children’s literature to adult fiction. Set in the fictional Maritime town of Odell, with a cast of exasperating but lovable characters, Kiss the Joy As It Flies promises to be a remarkable debut and a reader’s favourite.Panic-stricken by the news that she needs exploratory surgery, forty-eight-year-old Mercy Beth Fanjoy drafts a monumental “to do” list and sets about putting her messy life in order. Among other things (hide the vibrator!), she’s determined to finally uncover the identity of her secret admirer; reconnect with a lost friend and rival Teen Gaudet; and, most importantly, get her hands on the note her father left her before committing suicide all those years ago.But tidying up the edges of her life means the past comes rushing back to haunt her and the present keeps throwing up more to do’s. Between fits of weeping and laughter, ranting and bliss, Mercy must contemplate the meaning of life in the face of her own death. In a week filled with the riot of an entire life, nothing turns out the way she’d expected.
Kisses Kisses Baby-O!
Artist: HildaRosePublisher: Nimbus Publishing$6.50Kisses Kisses Baby-O! is a story for newborns told from the point of view of a parent or caregiver, but with high interaction with baby’s world and tuned to events in baby’s day.
Beloved Canadian children’s author Sheree Fitch delivers what she’s famous for: fun, intelligent, participatory text that is a joy to read. Using rhythm and onomatopoeia, Sheree’s bubbly text begins with baby waking, and follows through eating, bathing, playing, and finally sleeping. Repetition, rhythm and active verbs create a lively story that can be read again and again.
Heart-warming illustrations by HildaRose combine realism and a whimsical, artistic style, while paying close attention to the needs of newborn readers, including such elements as: stimulating visuals, patterns, baby faces, cultural diversity and interaction with others. And babies will drool over the small, easy to hold format!Summer Feet
$22.95From those first barefoot days, wobble-dy walking over rocks and pebbles, to wandering-wild while searching for sea glass and, finally, huddled-up cozy at a late-summer bonfire, these summer feet flutter kick, somersault, hide-and-seek, and dance in the rain, soaking up all the season has to offer. With Sheree Fitch’s classic lip-slippery, lyrical rhymes and Carolyn Fisher’s bright and colourful illustrations, Summer Feet will be an instant summertime favourite.
EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street
$22.95If ever you go travelling
On EveryBody Street
You’ll see EveryBody’s Different
Than EveryOne you meetSheree Fitch’s playful words lead you into this beautiful children’s book and invite you to celebrate our gifts, our weaknesses, our differences, and our sameness. Fitch displays her wit and mastery of words in quick, rollicking rhymes that are complemented by Emma Fitzgerald’s lively illustrations. EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street was originally produced in 2001 as a fundraiser to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Festival of Trees in support of the Nova Scotia Hospital and to raise awareness for mental illness and addiction.
