Harrowsmith Fall 2019 | 27BOOKSHELF
What’s keeping us up at night.
BY JULES TORTI
In spring 2019, author and bonafide
doodler Jocey Asnong was
honoured at the 15th anniversary
of the Mayor’s Spotlight on the
Arts celebration in Canmore,
Alberta. The award recognizes the
contributions of talented individuals
to the community’s literary arts
scene. Asnong is the first to admit
that she was raised “by a pack
of wild pencil crayons in a house
made out of paper and stories.”
It’s evident. The Sheridan College
grad is the brilliant creator behind
four Nuptse and Lhotse adventures
that see her curious cats exploring
Nepal, Iceland, the Rockies and
the West Coast. Asnong recently
coloured outside the lines with
three clever books designed with
the younger kid set in mind: Rocky
Mountain, West Coast ABCs and
West Coast 123s.
West Coast 123s is a 6 1/2-inch-
square early concept board book,
and it’s nearly edible, not just
for teething toddlers but also
for adults who love whimsy and
daydreaming. Her illustrations
serve as a beautiful introduction
to marine mammals, birds and
magical places like the Great Bear
Rainforest and Desolation Sound.
Travel effortlessly from Sooke
to Haida Gwaii with spawning
salmon, bobbing houseboats, sea
wolves, starfish and snowboarders.
Counting to 20 in Asnong’s
signature radiant West Coast style
is way cooler than counting sheep!West Coast 123s
by Jocey Asnong
(Rocky Mountain Books, 2019)