New Releases by Michael Ulmer

What do Shakespeare, salmon, sled dogs and the Queen of England have in common? They all play a part in Canadian life, and they are just a few of the topics covered in this book. Taking its name from the one-dollar and two-dollar coins in Canadian currency, Loonies and Toonies provides a well-rounded view of the country''s past and present. This virtual tour briefs children on the metric system, as well as on Canada''s ceremonial link to the British monarchy. En route, they''ll be inspired by stories of Terry Fox''s courageous run for cancer research and the undefeated record of the Bluenose sailing schooner. Before the trip ends, they''ll also discover why its not a good idea to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel!

What is the Stanley Cup and when was it first awarded? What team has won the cup the most? And is there really a Lord Stanley and how did the cup come to carry his name? Hockey fans will find the answers to these questions and much more information in S is for the Stanley Cup: A Hockey Championship Alphabet. The Stanley Cup is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoff winner and is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards in professional sports. Following the alphabet this book uses poetry and expository text to pay tribute to the Stanley Cup with topics that include Cup history and records, famous team captains, nail-biting finishes, as well as unique traditions.

Canada will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its confederation in 2017. And just in time to help mark the occasion, author Mike Ulmer presents C is for Canada, an alphabetical tribute to this northern nation. Colorful artwork captures Canada''s natural beauty as clever rhymes inform and entertain, giving the reader an armchair tour. From the Aurora Borealis to Klondike Days to the majestic Peary Caribou, C is for Canada showcases the landscape, symbols, history, and culture of this great country.

AV2 Fiction Readalong by Weigl brings you timeless tales of mystery, suspense, adventure, and the lessons learned while growing up. These celebrated children’s stories are sure to entertain and educate while captivating even the most reluctant readers. Log on to www.av2books.com, and enter the unique book code found on page 2 of this book to unlock an extra dimension to these beloved tales. Hear the story come to life as you read along in your own book.

AV2 Fiction Readalong by Weigl brings you timeless tales of mystery, suspense, adventure, and the lessons learned while growing up. These celebrated children’s stories are sure to entertain and educate while captivating even the most reluctant readers. Log on to www.av2books.com, and enter the unique book code found on page 2 of this book to unlock an extra dimension to these beloved tales. Hear the story come to life as you read along in your own book.

The Toronto Maple Leafs official book of the greatest players and coaches from yesterday and today! We Are Your Leafs is the first book in an eight-book partnership between Fenn/Random House and the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the team''s forthcoming centennial celebration plans. It is the absolute must-have for Leaf fans far and wide! The Toronto Maple Leafs have 61 players and fifteen builders inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame, more than any other NHL franchise. Their list of team captains from the past century of hockey reads like an All-Star roster and the names of each net-minder who have stood between the Leafs'' pipes include some of the game''s most brilliant goalies. In hockey, there is no other club as recognized and as widely admired as the Leafs. They are baseball''s New York Yankees and the NFL''s Dallas Cowboys -- a team that defines the sport, is an iconic ingredient in the culture and traditions of its city, and enjoys fan support well beyond their own market. As the Toronto Maple Leafs approach their centennial season, historians, hockey analysts, and fans alike will examine this club''s contribution to the game and the athletes who have given the fans so much to cheer for. In We Are Your Leafs, veteran sports writer Mike Ulmer, in partnership with the Toronto Maple Leafs, selects and profiles more than 80 of the greatest Leafs of all time. This unique and fully illustrated official publication recognizes the team''s greatest captains, goalies, defencemen, enforcers, coaches, and more. The profiles -- of legends like Johnny Bower, snipers like Phil Kessel, and recent fan favorites such as Doug Gilmour -- are accompanied by entertaining stories, quotes, stats, and a wealth of Leafs memorabilia and photographs.

For nearly a century, the Toronto Maple Leafs have stood as one of the most popular hockey franchises in the NHL. With M Is for Maple Leafs, children across North America will discover the alphabet while being introduced to interesting Leaf history. From people (such as Mats Sundin and Johnny Bower) to hockey terminology (line change and face-off) and places and things (dressing room, Air Canada Centre, puck), the world of hockey is depicted in this fun and lively picture book. Featuring rhyming text from author Mike Ulmer and striking illustrations from Melanie Rose, this book captures the spirit of "Canada''s game." M Is for Maple Leafs is destined to become a classic that will be handed down from generation to generation.

Unique and as beautiful as a snowflake or footprint, an Inuksut (inNUKshuk,) is one of the stone figures that can be seen dotting the Canadian Arctic region. Many made by ancient hands, the Inuksuit (inNUKsweet) purposes are varied, from earthly uses such as navigation and message centers to those of the spirit, as sites of reverence. Author Mike Ulmer explores the connectedness of all Arctic life in his tale, The Gift of the Inuksuk.To find recipes, games, interactives maps and much more for this title visit www.discovertheworldbooks.com! Author Mike Ulmer keeps an Inuksuk at home--it reminds him of the way the Inuit People of the North live a simple life and consume only what they need. His tale expresses this belief in a warm and simple manner that readers of all ages will appreciate and enjoy. Artist Melanie Rose''s charming and lively oil paintings bring great variety and surprising bursts of color to this unique northern story.Mike lives in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with his wife Agnes Bongers and their three daughters: Sadie, Hannah and Madalyn. When he is not learning about Inuksuk, Mike writes a sports column for the Toronto Sun newspaper. Among Mike''s books are M is for Maple: A Canadian Alphabet and H is For Horse: An Equestrian Alphabet. Melanie Rose lives in Mississauga, Canada with her son Liam, and their two cats, Mickey and Meesha. Melanie teamed up with Mike previously on M is for Maple: A Canadian Alphabet. She has also illustrated Z is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet and K is for Kick: A Soccer Alphabet. She is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art.

Whether sharing the stories of Anne of Green Gables and Terry Fox, or revealing Canada''s importance in growing grain that feeds the world, "M is for Maple" is a shining tribute to Canada. From British Columbia to Newfoundland, this Canadian alphabet book shares our nation''s symbols, history, people and culture. In clever rhymes and informative text, author Mike Ulmer shares the unique details of Canada. Illustrator Melanie Rose has captured the beauty and splendor of Canada, from the Northern Lights to brave Mounties and the beautiful cities of Toronto, Victoria, and Quebec. Destined to become a national classic, "M is for Maple" is a treasure for Canadians young and old.

The Stanley Cup -- hockey''s ultimate prize and the most recognized trophy in all sports.Lord Stanley''s Cup has seen the happiest moments and celebrations that the championships can bring, and has shared in so many intimate moments such as when Denis Potvin sat with The Stanley Cup and his dying father. For over one hundred years professional hockey players have battled for possession of The Cup.The Cup has been stolen, it has been vandalized, it is home to the names of hockey''s greatest players such as Bowman, Imlach, Blake, Arbour...it has stories that young and old alike will wait to hear with baited breath...If the Cup Could Talk.

To mark the fiftieth anniversary of "The Hockey News, a committee of fifty of the most respected observers of the game - including Dick Irvin, Bob McKenzie, Harry Neale, Jim Matheson, Scotty Bowman, Al Arbour, Glen Sather, and Roger Nielson - selected the top 50 NHL players of all time. The identity of the player who received the most votes was no surprise: Wayne Gretzky. The names of the next four might also have been predicted, although the order in which they were ranked - Bobby Orr, followed by Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux and Maurice Richard - has caused heated argument. Without question, however, the names that make up the rest of the list, and the order in which they are ranked, could keep all true hockey fans engaged in debate for years. When the original list was published in "The Hockey News, it inspired every possible reaction, from enthusiastic approval to indignant rage. Each great player has his own fans eager to make the case for higher placement. Now, in this splendid full-colour collector''s book, the list has been expanded to include the top 100 NHL players of all time and the debate can be renewed again with vigour.

In their glorious history, the Montreal Canadiens have won twenty-four Stanley Cups. Of all the players who put on the fabled bleu, blanc, et rouge, only twenty-two have worn the captains''s "C," the embodiment of the Canadiens spirit. Now hockey writer Michael Ulmer profiles nine of the best: Toe Blake, the tenacious workhorse of the dazzling Punch Line; Butch Bouchard, the tough-as -nails defenseman who led by example; Maurice Richard, perhaps the most electrifying player of all time; Doug Harvey, among the greatest defensemen in hockey history; Jean Beliveau, the brilliant center who made winning look effortless; Henri Richard, small in stature, giant in desire and triumph; Yvan Cournoyer, the free-spirited and charismatic winger; Bob Gainery, the quintessential role player; and Pierre Turgeon, the current captain, dogged by the great expectations of a team in transition. Canadiens Captains is an insider''s behind-the-scenes look at the on-ice leaders of hockey''s most storied franchise, a must read for Canadiens fans and hockey fans of every persuasion.