Potlatch Publications Limited was launched in 1972 with a singular goal: to establish a list of high-quality titles which are attractively produced, appealing to a wide audience - especially readers who love humour! In a world replete with millions of books, we go to great lengths to ensure that ours are as close to perfection as possible. That includes both quality of writing/illustrating and quality of production - both the content and the "look" of each book. We keep our prices low, so that anyone who wants to read our books can afford them. We also strive to get any book you order into your hands as quickly as the mailman can reach you. This goes for both Potlatch and The Book Band, our distributor.
We publish novels and poetry, biographies and autobiographies, children's books and - especially - humour, including our "novelty book" series of wide-format paperbacks. Enjoyed by thousands, the first of these was David, We're Pregnant! by Lynn Johnston of "For Better or For Worse" fame (no longer available from Potlatch, but published worldwide). We sold thirty thousand copies of Generals Die in Bed by Charles Yale Harrison, a powerful novel of the First World War, now published by Annick Press of Toronto Ontario. The rest of our books are still in print, and are listed below. We chose to publish them for their durability in the marketplace, and have ensured that they remain available. Many of our titles are listed online from dealers in used books, sometimes at very high prices, even though they are still available brand new from Potlatch for a modest fee! In addition to our own books, we are featuring a select few other recent releases, available directly from their creators.
President and Editor-in-Chief of Potlatch Publications is Robert F. Nielsen, author/editor of several Potlatch titles. Born in Vancouver, he is a graduate of the University of Alberta (B.A) and the University of Guelph (M.A.). He has taught in England and Canada, in high schools, colleges and universities, and was the first winner of The Ontario Education Association/Globe & Mail Award of Merit. Later, as an instructor in their Certificate in Writing program, he was awarded The McMaster University 2001-2002 Centre for Continuing Education Instructor Appreciation Award. His book Athlete's Foot; or, How I Failed at Sports was a finalist for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. He lives on the shore of Lake Ontario in Stoney Creek Ontario, with his wife Valerie (also a Potlatch author).
Childrens Annual 11
While teaching in England as a young man, Robert F. Nielsen became aware of the popular children's "annuals", including Boy's Own Annual and Girl's Own Annual. Many different annuals appear during the Christmas season, and these collections of stories, articles, poetry, comics and activities are loved by children, who look forward eagerly to receiving them as gifts. Nielsen decided to introduce the Canadian Children's Annual when he returned to Canada. Within a dozen years he had created a well-loved tradition, at the same time selling a quarter of a million copies! Although "Canadian", most of the contents of these fat volumes (176 pages in each) appeal to children everywhere, and are just as fresh today as when they were published. The Canadian Children's Annual also served as a welcome outlet for the work of a host of Canada's writers and artists. The books have become cherished collector's items, with fans eager to own complete sets. Fortunately, although some issues are running out, this is still possible.

We plan in the near future to release The Best of the Canadian Children's Annual, a big and beautiful volume featuring the most outstanding material from the eleven editions published by Potlatch Publications. This will include a novella, short stories, articles, poems, comics, games and activities. If you would like futher information about this forthcoming publication, and/or wish to place an order, please get in touch.
Mary Trach-Holadyk has served Potlatch Publications since 1974 as Art Director, and as an outstanding illustrator. Her works can be seen in every issue of the Canadian Children's Annual, and in our recent children's book James Parsons and His Magnificent Mouth of Adventure by Amy Elizabeth Dennis. Mary is a graduate of Sheridan College where she studied Graphic Illustration, and continued her studies at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario. That is where she now lives with her husband and two daughters.
Potlatch has exhibited at the world's major book fairs, including the London Book Fair in England, the Frankfurt Book Fair (largest in the world) in Germany, the Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy, the American Library Association Convention, and numerous editions of the American Booksellers Convention (BookExpo America) and the Canadian Booksellers Convention (BookExpo Canada). We are eager to establish an international market and welcome all orders, and also enquiries regarding the sale of foreign rights, co-publishing and distribution.