Canmore books all about authors’ passion for the mountains
by
Shari Bishop Bowes
Two new books by Canmore women have one important common denominator: A passion for this mountain place.
“Kids Go Wild” is a colourful illustrated children’s book that teaches youngsters the all-important principle of wild natural places: “Take only pictures and leave only footprints.”
The other, a book of photography titled “Canmore: Kananaskis & the Canadian Rockies” is not only the first ever picture book with a special focus on Canmore and its stunning surrounds, but also a pictorial testament to life in this small mountain town.
Kids Go Wild is Canmore teacher Sarah Burke’s first foray into publishing, inspired by her desire to share an important message about our responsibility to care for the mountains’ delicate natural environment.
The story, illustrated by Canmore resident Katie Steele, follows two young friends, Zack and Sumey as they join Zack’s parents for an overnight camping trip in the Canadian Rockies. The youngsters share knowledge gained in their school’s “Kids Go Wild Club” that reinforces the seven “leave-no-trace” principles that apply to camping and hiking.
The book captures the children’s enthusiasm for the principles, which they share along the trail and at their campsite. Zack’s parents are the ones learning how important it is to plan ahead; stay on the trail rather than ruining trailside flowers and habitat; pack out every tiny bit of trash; respect wildlife; take extra caution with campfires; leave behind all natural objects (and don’t pick the flowers!); and have consideration for the visitors who come along behind.
This slim volume with its simple tale manages to impart some very important lessons — for both children and adults during their adventures in the mountains together.
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Award-winning photojournalist Pam Doyle has spent a decade photographing life in Canmore and its surrounding natural playground, from scenic beauty that never fails to impress no matter how long you’ve lived here, to vibrant scenes of the cultural and sporting life of the area.
It’s fitting somehow, that this beautifully reproduced book of Canmore images should speak as much to the people who live and visit here as it does to the breathtaking mountain scenery. Doyle has captured it all in her tenure as both photographer for the Canmore Leader and avid outdoor enthusiast.
Stunning mountains in all their seasonal glory provide a backdrop for life in Canmore, as residents and visitors hike, mountain bike, ski, dog sled, rock climb, fish, kayak, golf, horseback ride… and relax.
Canmore’s rich cultural life are fully represented as well, from the Canmore Folk Festival to Highlands Games, Mozart on the Mountain, Canada Day and Winter Festival.
The area’s animal residents are also well represented, with photos of the elk, bears, deer, coyotes, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, ground squirrels and birdlife that call Canmore home. Doyle’s passion for educating residents and visitors on bear awareness and safety is evident in an eight-page spread on human encounters with bruins. While visitors are keen to see bears in the area, it’s evident from this photo spread that officials are doing as much as they can to keep bears and humans as far apart as possible.
While many a photo book on the Canadian Rockies practically shines with glossing scenics, it is refreshing to have a fine book of photography on Canmore that depicts both natural beauty and a passion for the mountain lifestyle all under one cover.
If you’re hard pressed to think of a gift for someone at home, or a fitting memento of time spent in Canmore and the Rockies, you couldn’t do much better than this pair of new books.
Get the Books:
Both Kids Go Wild and Canmore, Kananaskis & the Canadian Rockies are available in the Bow Valley at Café Books and the Banff Book & Art Den.
Shari Bishop Bowes can be found depicted on Page 41 of Pam Doyle’s new photo book. While the photo makes her appear she’s an experienced horseback rider guiding a group, in fact she hadn’t been on a horse for decades and complained of a sore derriere for days afterward. |
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