Flying a Gooney Bird in Canada’s North: A Bush Pilot’s Adventuresby Dorrin Wallace with Deana J DriverPublished by DriverWorks InkReview by Sally Meadows$24.95 ISBN 9781927570883 I always marvel when someone can trace the trajectory of their life’s work back to a pivotal moment rooted in childhood. For Dorrin Wallace, who built his career as a bush pilot, trainer, and aircraft maintenance engineer, that moment was when he received a book about one of the world’s largest airplanes at age seven. Step by step, with a dash of serendipity, Wallace carved out his aviation career with intentionality and enthusiasm in his quest for an adventurous life. The title of the book comes from his favourite plane to fly, the Douglas DC-3, affectionately known as the “Gooney Bird.” With a folksy tone, the book details Wallace’s multifaceted career while paying homage to the many pilots and others in the aviation industry who were mentors to and sources of inspiration for him. With a large, colourful supporting cast of real-life characters, this book will pique the curiosity of many about Wallace’s perspective of life in the Saskatchewan aviation industry. Often learning the hard way–that is, through trial and error–Wallace has included amusing and…

My Monster Mommyby Megan Ryan, Illustrated by Brenna SengerPublished by Meow! Pete’s PressReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$15.99 ISBN 9781069345912 The luckiest among us were read to as children, and long may that wonderful tradition continue. Giving children books as gifts—and spending quality time sharing these books with our loved ones—can lead to a lifelong love of literature. In today’s hectic technological era, I wondered if the sharing of “bedtime stories” is something that exhausted contemporary parents still have the time and energy for. After a little Googling, I learned that as recently as 2024, children’s and YA books [still] accounted for 40% of all English-language book sales in Canada. That’s great news—for writers and readers. With all the children’s books published over the centuries, coming up with original ideas can be challenging, but Saskatchewan writer—and busy mom—Megan Ryan has a delightful new children’s book that is indeed unique. My Monster Mommy is also timely: it addresses how mothers who also work outside the home might be extra tired, and require a little “alone time” as they switch gears between their jobs/careers and family time. The softcover My Monster Mommy—digitally illustrated by Brenna Senger— introduces us to young Sammy, who’s concerned that…