Running the Goat Books & Broadsides is a micro-press specializing in letterpress-printed and fine trade books, chapbooks and broadsides by some of Newfoundland and Labrador’s finest writers, and I’ve put off writing about them long enough. For the past few months, the kind folks at Running the Goat have been sending me the most astounding books for children and young people. As with most (if not all) books for children, it is difficult to review them other than commenting on the quality, the illustrations and so on. So, I’m just going to say that the samples they have sent me are quite out-of-the-ordinary. There is a definite “Newfoundland” feel about them, which might limit their interest to that particular province, nevertheless, I found them very interesting, particularly the novel To See the Stars by Jan Andrews and the large picture book Seasons Before the War by novelist Bernice Morgan.
Here is the edited synopsis of each book, reprinted from the Running the Goats website. For more information on each title, please visit their site.
Seasons Before the War by Bernice Morgan
To See The Stars by Jan Andrews
Dancing With Daisy by Jan L. Coates
Paint the Town Pink by Lori Doody
Peg Bearskin: A traditional Newfoundland tale (revised edition)
Again, I’ve only chosen some select text from the Running the Goats website to describe each book. I encourage you to have a look at all their entire catalogue and check out “The Press & Printshop” page, too.
James M. Fisher is the owner and editor-in-chief of The Miramichi Reader. The Miramichi Reader (TMR) —Canada’s best-regarded source for the finest in new literary releases— highlights noteworthy books and authors across Canada from coast to coast to coast (est. 2015). James works and resides in Miramichi, New Brunswick with his wife and their dog.