Book Review: Alberta Publisher Red Barn Books

Are you looking for picture books to read to your children about Canada, or Alberta in particular? Red Barn Books is a small publisher in Alberta that was started in 2019. Red Barn Books was named ‘Emerging Publisher of the Year’ by the Book Publishers Association of Alberta in 2020. This publisher uses Alberta authors and illustrators and publishes books about cowboys, horses and western heritage. I was sent 4 books to review, each with a different Albertan theme. Each one is absolutely delightful!

Howdy, I’m Flores LaDue.

Title: Howdy! I’m Flores LaDue
Author: Ayesha Clough
Illustrator: Hugh Rookwood with Keegan Starlight

The first book that I read for review is part of the award-winning “Howdy Books” series and is a true story called “Howdy, I’m Flores Ladue.” Flores Ladue was a cowgirl in Alberta who, along with her husband Guy, founded the Calgary Stampede. Today, the Calgary Stampede is one of the biggest and most famous rodeos in the world.  Written as a picture book in the popular and engaging graphic-novel format, this book does not disappoint. Howdy, I’m Flores LaDue features bright, full colour illustrations, a photo timeline, further information about Flores and her life, and ideas for further exploration. There is even a recipe for Stampede Ranch Cookies! The book contains themes about working hard and following your dreams and teaches often-neglected women’s history!

If you want to learn more about Flores LaDue and her husband Guy, check out this video about their induction into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

Howdy, I’m John Ware

Title: Howdy, I’m John Ware
Author: Ayesha Clough
Illustrator: High Rookwood

The second book that I read for review is a true story and also part of the “Howdy Books” series. Howdy, I’m John Ware received two awards- winner of both the Heritage Calgary Storytelling Award and Alberta Book Publishing Awards for Children’s Book. John Ware was a Black man who grew up as a slave until the American Civil War. Eventually, he moved to Alberta and became a rancher. There he became Canada’s legendary Black cowboy.

Howdy, I’m John Ware is a picture book and is written in a beautifully-illustrated, full colour graphic novel format. It contains notes for educators including sections on critical thinking, creative thinking, historic thinking, geographic thinking, decision making and problem solving. It has a section for further learning and exploration, a timeline, and a map of Alberta highlighting the places mentioned in the book. The book contains themes about vision, courage and kindness as well as teaching about often-neglected Black history! 

If you want to learn more about John Ware, check out this video from Historica Canada.

Guardians of the Wild: Rocky Mountain Rangers

Title: Guardians of the Wild: Rocky Mountain Rangers
Author: The Wardens
Illustrator: Lia Golemba

The third book that I was sent for review is called Guardians of the Wild: Rocky Mountain Rangers. The Rocky Mountain Rangers patrol Canada’s mountain parks. This gorgeous picture book is written in verse based on the songs of The Wardens. The Wardens are a Rocky Mountain based band. The back of the book contains further information about what rangers do, and a glossary of ranger terms. There is also two full pages of animals that are located in Canada’s rocky mountain parks and a map showing where the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are located. Guardians of the Wild also comes in a French edition: Garde des Rocheuses! 

Alberta Blue: a Prairie Sky Lullaby

Title: Alberta Blue: A Prairie Sky Lullaby
Author: Pat Hatherly
Illustrator: Jesse Horne

The final book I was sent for review is a beautiful board book. Alberta Blue: A Prairie Sky Lullaby was a winner of the Alberta Book Publishing Awards in the Children’s Book category. Alberta Blue is based on a song by The Travelling Mabels. The Travelling Mabels are an award-winning folk/country group from southern Alberta. You can download and listen to the song, Alberta Blue, to go with the book!

Alberta Blue is a simply gorgeous book, with bright, full colour landscape illustrations highlighting the Alberta sky. Any parent of a child young enough for board books would delight in reading this unique book aloud to their child. It’s a nice change from the typical board books that seem to be in abundance about farm animals and cartoons. It would make a wonderful baby gift as well to any Albertan or Canadian baby! This book makes me wish I had a child young enough for board books! I love it. 

Altogether, I highly recommend any of the books that I reviewed by Red Barn Books. Red Barn books also has a website which contains more books by the publisher and Teaching Guides! If you are from Alberta and want books to read with your children that reflect your province or you are teaching your kids about our beautiful country, you won’t be disappointed in supporting a small Canadian publisher and reading these lovely books!