Running the Goat greets 2023 with an exciting and beautiful list of publications— five picture books and two middle readers. We are welcoming many voices new to RTG, as well as entertaining a few “old” friends.

Here’s our 2023 publishing schedule:

MARCH

The Sniger and the Floose

Written by Ashley Fayth, illustrated by Katie Brosnan.

In this delightful nonsense poem, Ashley Fayth introduces readers to a range of “wild and wondrous” beasts—like the sniger, the floose, the squiffin, and the butterflabbit. With its playful rhymes and rollicking rhythm, this book is a perfect read-aloud. Yet even in its silliest moments, The Sniger and the Floose is a gentle reminder to respect and preserve the beauty of the natural world around us, and a joyous celebration of imagination.

APRIL

The Island

Written and illustrated by Lori Doody.

An island off the coast of another island is home to a small community; life is rich with joy and challenges, and the people who live there love their island home. One day they learn that the government will move them off the island, to new homes with modern conveniences like electricity. Life will be easier, but will it be better?

In gentle and spare prose, and with her unique folk-art illustrations, Lori Doody tells the story of resettlement in Newfoundland— it is a deeply personal tale, but it is also the story of anyone who must leave a loved home to start anew and who carries their old home in their heart.

MAY

I Built A Cabin

Written by Sara Jewell, illustrated by Charlotte Manning.

Eager for some peace and quiet, the main character of this tale in verse moves to the woods and builds a little cabin getaway. She’s found the perfect retreat—or so she thinks until she meets her neighbours: an array of loud and lively creatures who crunch and crack and hoot their way into her life.

Young listeners will delight in the animals’ playful antics and learn a bit about life in the wild.

Wilhelm, the Hedgehog

Written by Tanya Stus, illustrated by Anna Sarvira, and translated by Alexey Potapov.

Wilhelm is a hedgehog who lives in a park in the city. Unlike
most hedgehogs who sleep in the day and eat and explore in the evening, Wilhelm is curious and wants to know a bit more about the daytime world—especially about Light and the sun. His friends try to dissuade him, but eventually realize that Wilhelm won’t be convinced to behave like a “normal” hedgehog. So instead they work together to help him achieve his dream.

A charming tale about being yourself, following your dreams, and about the friends who help you, Wilhelm the Hedgehog was originally published in Ukraine in 2017. It celebrates creativity, inspiration, and community.

JUNE

The Rock Box

Written by Don McKay, illustrated by Sally McKay.

Petra loves rocks, and collects them with a passion. She keeps them in her bedroom, in the kitchen cupboards, between the cushions of the living-room sofa, even in the bathroom medicine cabinet. Petra’s parents do not love rocks. At least, not as much as Petra does. To convince her to winnow down her collection, her parents offer her a wonderful treasure—a rock box, with a selection of the rocks and minerals found in her home province of Newfoundland and Labrador. But, wait, is one of those rocks winking at her? Acclaimed Canadian poet Don McKay creates a charming tale of geology, deep time, and connection in his first children’s book.

JULY

The Hippie Pirates

Written by Lana Shupe, illustrated by Caroline Clarke.

There are many things that Kent, Ryan, and Amy love about their somewhat eccentric hippie-pirate grandparents, but best of all are their wonderful stories about travelling the world in search of treasure. Central to all their stories is their beloved VW pirate-ship bus, the SS Fiona. And now the three children are going to join in on a hippie-pirate adventure, and sail on the Fiona!

Where will they go? Liverpool? Norway? New York? No. Three disappointed children learn their destination is Nova Scotia, their home province. But very quickly Kent, Ryan, and Amy come to realize that there’s a lot more to “their own backyard” than they’d realized, and that the Fiona knows a trick or two as well.

This time-travelling adventure, the first in a planned series, introduces young readers to some unique aspects of Canadian and Nova Scotian history, including the establishment of Birchtown and the plight of Black Loyalists.

SEPTEMBER

The Golden Apples

Written by Dan Yashinsky, illustrated by Ekaterina Khlebnikova

Jack may be good at following recipes, but he’s not very good at following directions .When his two older brothers fail to find the golden bird that made off with their father’s prized golden apples, Jack steps up for the job. But there are many challenges to be faced along the way; without the help of a fast and friendly fox, Jack just might not make it.

With a smart princess who loves grunge rock, angry kings, magic animals, conniving siblings, and tempting casinos, this delightful re-mix of an old Cape Breton Jack tale seamlessly blends modern and ancient. Acclaimed Canadian storyteller Dan Yashinsky brings wit and whimsy to this wonder tale. Ekaterina Khlebnikova’s brilliant illustrations blend old and new creating a gorgeous visual world; a perfect complement to Yashinsky’s re-telling. Together they serve up a book that will delight readers and listeners of all ages. 

We can't wait to share these wonderful new titles with you!