New Releases by Heather Smith

A heartwarming picture book about a young boy whose only friend, a butternut squash, helps him create a rich and imaginative world for himself, ultimately leading him to a new human friend. Alex’s best friend is a butternut squash. They play pretend all day long. Sometimes his butternut squash is a baby. Alex pushes him in a stroller all around town. Sometimes his butternut squash is a pirate.They have spectacular swordfights! Sometimes Alex thinks that his butternut squash might like to join the other kids in the playground, but he doesn’t want his squash to get his hopes up. What if the other kids don't want to play with him? Then one day, they meet someone new. Could Alex and his butternut squash have found a new friend?

A five night devotion explaining the gospel to a child. Join Josephine as she discovers who she is in Christ. A child of the Most High!

Following the success of her acclaimed nonfiction collection Horse Tales: True Stories from an Idaho Ranch, author Heather Smith Thomas has assembled Cow Tales: More True Stories from an Idaho Ranch, an entertaining and compelling lineup of autobiographical essays detailing her family's adventures raising cattle in the challenging ranch country outside Salmon, Idaho. In the tradition of James Herriot (All Creatures Great and Small), each story centers on a particular animal or aspect of animal husbandry, offering insight into the resourcefulness required to manage a cattle herd and a heartwarming look at human-animal bonding. "I am grateful to ... the many unique 'cow characters' I've been privileged to know," Thomas writes. "This book is a gathering of memories about some of those special characters ... a collection of stories and recollections about a few of the many 'cow critters' who taught me and my family about cattle care, cattle nature, and ourselves as humans."

The third in a series of books (including the wildly successful Horse Tales and Cow Tales) about ranch and family life in Idaho, Heather Smith Thomas's Ranch Tales offers a collection of humorous, heartwarming and insightful true stories, each centered on the unique bonds that form between people and the animals - livestock, pets and wildlife - that populate a working ranch. "Ranch life is unique and colorful," Thomas writes. "The jobs we do - raising cattle, working with animals, tending to their needs - are never boring. The animals themselves, and the adventures and circumstances involved with their care, always keep life interesting and fun, as well as challenging. These stories include a bit of humor, and a broad mix of experiences that illustrate how closely entwined our lives are with those of the animals within our care."

Key Selling Points Sophie's adoptive father My Michael is a good singer, a not-so-great cook, and a stellar dad. When he develops a chronic, invisible illness, their lives change—but Sophie knows that because they have each other, they'll be okay. Despite its serious theme of invisible illness, the story is optimistic and lighthearted, focused most on the love of a parent and child. Represents an adoptive family as a secondary storyline and shows how loving and powerful Sophie's and her father's relationship is. Takes on the topic of chronic illness in an age-appropriate and relatable way and particularly shines a light on "invisible" illnesses; would make a great discussion topic for a classroom, to help build compassion and understanding for anyone whose condition may not be readily apparent. Contains an author's note explaining the inspiration for the book, which is the author's own struggle with long COVID and her son's diagnosis with ulcerative colitis. Catherine Petit's warm, welcoming illustrations capture the humour of the story and the beautiful connection between the main characters. Heather Smith is a bestselling author of several picture books, including The Phone Book in Mr. Hirota's Garden, which won the IBBY Canada Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award.

What if your nightmares of love and death were real? Thunder cracked overhead, angels flew through the air, Gods battling on a field. Her best friend dead in front of her beside her mother's cold body. Ice blue eyes pleading with her, a sword protruding from her chest. Carolynn Starr always felt like a freak, being abandoned at birth, reading minds, and speaking to animals wasn't normal, but her life was. That is until she met Donnie, a stranger that came into her life just as she started having the same repeated nightmare. Now she can't escape him, he's around every corner, consuming every thought. She can't help the pull she feels towards the man she just met, but what does he have to do with her dreams? Facing threats against her life, a prophecy, and a world she never knew existed, she wonders who she can trust, including herself.

Key Selling Points A beautiful story, with magic woven in, about a grieving family and the quirky individuals who are determined to help them come through. Features the timeless themes of perseverance, confidence and family coming together. Set in 1924 and with a feel of folklore, the story and adventure pull the reader in. Heather Smith is an award-winning, acclaimed author of books for readers of all ages.

"Straight To The F*cking Point, Photo Step-by-Step Recipes, With A Sprinkle of Profanity." -- www.amazon.com

A heartwarming picture book about an iron ore - mine horse and a timid young miner in Bell Island, Newfoundland, from award-winning author of Mr. Hirota's Garden and The Agony of Bun O'Keefe

Color Cute Color By Numbers for Girls Grab some crayons and set your child up for hours of screen-free fun with this animal-themed color by number book. With numbers that correspond to different colors, kids can practice their numbers, colors, and art skills while having fun and learning about animals. The kid-friendly animal images will teach children focus and patience while having fun. Each image is accompanied by a fun and informative animal fact to improve literacy skills and foster curiosity about the animal kingdom. The coloring book includes. Here's What You Get: ✓ 50 pages of adorable animals that are easy to see and color. ✓ Wide variety of animals from jungle animals to farm animals, dinosaurs, and beyond. ✓ Easy-to-read color code system on each page. ✓ Fun facts about animals to encourage reading skills. ✓ Engaging pictures that will entertain children ages three and up. ✓ An awesome gift for creative kids and suitable for family events ✓ A certification of completion at the end of the book! ✓ AND SO MUCH MORE!

Surviving isn't living . . . Amelia left behind everything she knew, her pack, her home, and her mate. It's been seventeen years since she ran away with her daughter Emery. Now a teenager, Emery has grown to become a strong, beautiful wolf, but has she raised her well enough to survive on her own? Amelia is tired. Her wolf, Rey, has almost completely faded away, leaving them weak and vulnerable. The mate bond is nearly gone and the trauma from her kidnapping haunts her daily. The Rogues have found them again and Amelia doesn't know how much longer she has left. They're coming. It's time for them to run again, but this time they're running home.

Now with full-color photography and illustrations throughout, the completely updated third edition of Storey’s Guide to Raising Horses is the most comprehensive horse husbandry handbook available, whether you’re a first-time owner or an experienced horse handler. Covering everything you need to know about facilities, breeding, and health care, this new edition features a photographic gallery of many types of horses; expanded material on recognizing, preventing, and treating a wide range of health issues, including insulin resistance, skin conditions, and digestive disorders; new vaccination protocols, including vaccinating for West Nile Virus; and updated information on breeding methods, foaling problems, and the care of broodmares and new foals. This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Barry Squires, Full Tilt takes readers on a romp through the streets of St. John's and into the Squires household, a place where tragedy strikes but love prevails. Derry Girls meets Billy Elliot with an East coast twist. It's 1995. When the Full Tilt Dancers give an inspiring performance at the opening of the new bingo hall, twelve-year-old Finbar (Barry) Squires wants desperately to join the troupe. Led by Father O'Flaherty, the Full Tilt Irish Step Dancers are the most sought-after act in St. John's, Newfoundland (closely followed by popular bagpiper, Alfie Bragg and his Agony Bag). Having watched Riverdance twice, Barry figures he'll nail the audition. And good thing too -- it'd be nice to be known for something other than the port wine stain on his cheek. With questionable talent and an unpredictable temper, Barry's journey to stardom is jeopardized by his parents' refusal to take his dreams seriously. Thankfully, Barry has the support of a lively cast of characters: his ever-present grandmother, Nanny Squires; his adorable baby brother, Gord; an old British rocker named Uneven Steven; a group of geriatrics from the One Step Closer to God Nursing Home; and Saibal, a friend with whom Barry gets up to no good. Told with humor and a healthy dose of irreverence, Barry Squires, Full Tilt is the latest novel by Heather Smith, the award-winning author of The Agony of Bun O’Keefe and Chicken Girl.

Calling all inquisitive minds! This cultivated collection of five STEM-themed award-winning picture books is just for you. Learn the science behind hurricanes, dream up inventions from spare parts, journey through the ocean with orcas, put your design skills to work and reflect on how your actions impact your environment with these exciting and creative picture books! This digital bundle includes these bestselling titles: Little Cloud: The Science of a Hurricane by Johanna Wagstaffe and Julie McLaughlin Mechanimals by Chris Tougas Orcas of the Salish Sea by Mark Leiren-Young A Plan for Pops by Heather Smith and Brooke Kerrigan What Matters by Alison Hughes and Holly Hatam

Storey’s Guide to Training Horses is a one-stop reference for every aspect of horse training, including a complete program for turning a shy and gangly foal into a calm, confident, well-balanced equine partner. Now with full-color photography, the third edition includes step-by-step guidance on all the essential training procedures for both English- and Western-style riding, including haltering and leading, saddling and mounting, and addresses the finer points of gaits, lightness, and collection. Best-selling author Heather Smith Thomas draws on her decades of equestrian experience to anticipate every situation that might arise and provide answers to managing all the potential challenges of training different types of horses.

Whether you’ve been working with horses for just a few months or have been at it for decades, there’s always something new to learn. In Stable Smarts, Heather Smith Thomas offers practical advice, quick fixes, and unconventional wisdom gleaned from a lifetime spent with horses. Covering everything from tack and knot-tying to feeding, foaling, and medical care, these tips will save you time, money, and energy while keeping your horses healthy, happy, and working efficiently.

Everybody has a story that will break your heart; a poignant coming-of-age YA for fans of David Arnold, from the author of the acclaimed The Agony of Bun O'Keefe, a Kirkus Best of the Year selection. Poppy used to be an optimist. But after a photo of her dressed as Rosie the Riveter is mocked online, she's having trouble seeing the good in the world. As a result, Poppy trades her beloved vintage clothes for a feathered chicken costume and accepts a job as an anonymous sign waver outside a restaurant. There, Poppy meets six-year-old girl Miracle, who helps Poppy see beyond her own pain, opening her eyes to the people around her: Cam, her twin brother, who is adjusting to life as an openly gay teen; Buck, a charming photographer with a cute British accent and a not-so-cute mean-streak; and Lewis a teen caring for an ailing parent, while struggling to reach the final stages of his gender transition. As the summer unfolds, Poppy stops glorifying the past and starts focusing on the present. But just as she comes to terms with the fact that there is good and bad in everyone, she is tested by a deep betrayal.

Whether a farmer is raising one cow or a herd, Storey’s Guide to Raising Beef Cattle is the most reliable reference for ensuring a successful, healthy cattle operation. In this fully updated, full-color fourth edition, long-time cattle rancher and author Heather Smith Thomas explains every aspect of bovine behavior and provides expert guidance on breed selection, calving, feeding, housing, pasture, and health care. Along with in-depth information on raising grass-fed animals, there is also advice on creating a viable business plan and identifying niche markets for selling beef. This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

A powerful story of betrayal, forgiveness and self-discovery. One summer, after a long plane ride and a rotten bad year I went to Grandma Jo’s. Ebb & Flow is the captivating story of eleven-year-old Jett’s summer back home on the coast after “a rotten bad year” in a new town. When his father went to jail, Jett and his mother moved away, and Jett quickly learned that fresh starts aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. He returns to spend the summer with his unconventional Grandma Jo, bringing along a secret about the betrayal of a friend. Will a summer spent with Grandma Jo help Jett come to terms with his mistakes and forgive himself? This emotionally charged story, told in free verse, will pull readers in and captivate them.

On a rainy April evening in 1993, a serial killer responding to a Craigslist ad for Heather Callahan's used car attacked her on the street in front of her Denver home and left her for dead. Heather didn't die. She refused to, thinking, as her blood pooled in the rain-soaked street: This is wrong. I am not going to die, not now, not this way. Heather not only survived in the aftermath of this terrible attack, she thrived, her indomitable spirit a testament to her physical, emotional, and psychological recovery. She came to understand this unexpected and powerful blossoming as Post Traumatic Growth. A Drop of Rain, her extraordinaire memoir, demonstrates in no uncertain terms that life doesn't stop when you become a victim. Indeed, she is living proof that the most horrific traumas we face may also, in the long run, be the most significant turning points in our lives.

When their too-adult lives lead them down self-destructive paths, these broken teens find a way to heal in this YA novel perfect for fans of Ellen Hopkins With her impossible-to-please grandmother on her back about college and her disapproving step-dad watching her every move, Tessa would do anything to escape the pressure-cooker she calls home. So she finds a shot of much-needed power and confidence by hooking up with boys, even though it means cheating on her boyfriend. But when she's finally caught red-handed, she’ll do anything she can to cover up what she's done. Jack is a prankster who bucks the system every chance he gets—each transgression getting riskier and riskier. He loves the thrill, and each adventure allows a little release because his smug smile and suave demeanor in the face of authority doesn’t make life at home with his mom any less tough. He tries to take care of her, but the truth is he's powerless in the face of her fragile mental health. So he copes in his own way, by defacing public property and pulling elaborate pranks, though he knows in the end this’ll only screw up his life even more. As they both try not to let their self-destructive patterns get the best of them, Tessa and Jack gravitate toward one another, discovering the best parts of themselves in the process. An honest portrayal of the urges that drive us and finding the strength to overcome them, Ripple is a stunning debut from a powerful new voice.

Master Xero in a flash to streamline accounting and manage more effectively Xero For Dummies is a user-friendly guide to the accounting software that's revolutionising the industry. Whether you're setting up Xero from scratch, converting to Xero from another accounting software, or just want to get more out of Xero, this book provides an in-depth understanding of how the software works, and how to use it to manage your business more effectively. This second edition has been updated to cover the new and improved features, including better file storage, purchase order, and report generation, extended coverage of the Xero add-on ecosystem, and more, with all new screenshots that show you exactly what to do. You'll learn how to automatically import and code bank transactions, set up accounts, customers, and suppliers, synchronise data, and generate reports that give you the information you need to manage your business more effectively. Xero has changed the game in the accounting software industry. Their completely cloud-based single ledger system allows business owners to monitor their financial position in real time, and eliminates the need for endless data entry, backups, and software upgrades. Xero For Dummies is the only Xero-endorsed guide to getting the most out of the software, walking you through the basics to advanced use. Save time reconciling with automatic imports and intuitive coding Manage inventory, customers, suppliers, and more Simplify accounts and deal with multi-currency transactions Synchronise data seamlessly across multiple business platforms From setting up your accounting system through to more detailed operational usage, this book contains tried-and-tested techniques that will help you optimise revenue, profits, and cash flow. Xero can streamline your accounting process and help you be a better manager — to wield it effectively, Xero For Dummies is the complete, informative guide you need.

The wonderful collection of stories in Horse Tales comprise a beautiful memoir about a remarkable life with horses, and a heartfelt glimpse into ranch life in rural Idaho.

DIVThis inspiring, everything-in-one card-painting kit blends traditional watercolor painting techniques with a fresh, contemporary sensibility. Learn unique techniques and design ideas for making beautiful, hand-painted greeting cards from the full-color 32 page book. Once you’re ready to try the techniques out yourself, you’ll be all set to go with the included 4 blank greeting cards, 6 postcards, 4 tubes of watercolor paint, and two paintbrushes./divDIV/divDIVThis kit is a wonderful launch point for making eye-catching greeting cards that will inspire all who receive them./div

Migrating from MYOB to Xero is an opportunity to examine what information you really, really want from your accounting system, and also a chance to customise the data (and Xero) to suit those needs. This In A Day book is focused on exporting data from the MYOB file you’ve been using, preparing that data so it imports into Xero easily, and then importing the data into Xero. In no time you’ll be in the cloud with activated bank feeds. You’ll be reconciling data on your mobile phone, enabling your accountant to simultaneously access data, strategically managing your business and meeting your tax obligations.