Richard Jones lives in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario with his wife and two young children. Though originally from Wales, his wife was born and raised in the Sault. In 2007, on his first visit to Canada and Sault Ste. Marie, Richard’s wife took him to the Bushplane Museum. He has been back many times since.

Bailey the Bushplane is the first in a planned series of children’s books by Bushplane Stories. The stories, written by Richard, illustrated by Amy, and printed in Sault Ste. Marie, are about a group of bushplane friends that operate out of a small airport in Northern Ontario. Each book will feature bushplanes found within the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Bushplanes and a Train, is a sequel to the first book, Bailey the Bushplane.

Bushplanes and a Train introduces a trio of new characters – Bella the Helicopter, Brooke the Beech and Tristan the Train – to the gang of Bailey the Beaver, Emily Seebee and Olly the Otter from
the original story.
The sequel also serves as a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Ontario Provincial Air Service.

Bailey The Bushplane tells the story of spirited yet insecure bush plane Bailey, Bailey The Beaver. Bailey is determined to fly important bushplane missions, but this inadvertently leads the team of bushplane friends into trouble when an out of control forest fire approaches a remote trading post.

The West End: A Magical Place Created by Giants by Dr. Frank S. Sarlo is a heartfelt tribute to the vibrant and resilient community of the West End in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. This richly illustrated book, featuring sketches by Gene Ubriaco, delves into the historical, cultural, and personal stories that shaped this unique neighborhood. It highlights the remarkable achievements of its residents, including hockey legends Phil and Tony Esposito, businessman Geno F. Francolini, and author Frank G. Paci. Through vivid memories and personal anecdotes, Sarlo captures the essence of a community built by immigrants who overcame immense challenges to create a thriving, supportive neighborhood.

At the turn of the 20th century, young men came by ship and then by train to find work and assist their families in escaping the pain of poverty. Having found work, scrimped and saved for years, these young men were able to bring their wives and children to join them. Some returned home to find partners to join them in making a new life.

Over the years, these strong and resilient people endured squalor, poverty, disease, tragedy, prejudice and hate to create a unique sense of community in the West End. They survived the Depression, World Wars and threats of internment while instilling a love for their new Happy Days on James Street country and still retaining their Old World religion and culture.

These happy, strong, hardworking, friendly, kind, caring and generous people, who helped make their unique community magical for those that would follow, were giants. Providing a legacy of a strong work ethic and spirit to succeed, the following generations from this small urban area fostered multi-cultural cooperation and understanding that surely far exceeded the dreams of those first immigrants.

Dr. Frank S. Sarlo received his BA in political science from the University of Windsor, his LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Bristol in Bristol, England, writing his thesis on the topic of community organizing in Sault Ste. Marie. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1982 and practiced law for 40 years before retiring in 2008. Frank was honoured with a number of awards for his community work. He lives with his wife, Laura, in Sault Ste. Marie.

Lisa Deresti Betik has been a storyteller since she was small. She used to spin wild tales about invisible, blanket-eating alligators in her room, and she once convinced everyone that the Tooth Fairy had made her fall out of bed. Today she writes fun, fascinating nonfiction books for children. She is the author of Think Like a Goat: The Wildly Smart Ways Animals Communicate, Cooperate and Innovate (Kids Can Press, 2023) and In the Dark: The Science of What Happens at Night (Kids Can Press, 2020).

Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Lisa grew up surrounded by majestic lakes and forests that encouraged her curiosity. She is a graduate of the Concurrent Teacher Education program at Queen’s University, and she loves helping young people learn more about our amazing world. Lisa now lives in Waterloo, Ontario, with her family, where she keeps a Little Free Library on their front lawn.