This man's word-search puzzles might fan the patriotism of players

CBC

25-05-2025

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Nick Cranford noticed that Newfoundland and Labrador was missing something: its very own word search.
So he got busy putting together words that best represent his home province.
Almost two years later, his love for Canada combined with wanting to honour his late great-grandmother, inspired a collection of province-themed word search books. Each offers dozens of word search puzzles — square grids of letters where players can find hidden words running in all directions.
"I decided to take a journey through the country of Canada in a new way, right?" Cranford said. "So I started out with the word search in Newfoundland and Labrador, started with my home, and I've branched out."
WATCH | N​ick Cranford's puzzles offer 'something that represents home'
Word search creator ​hopes puzzles​ help people find Canadian pride
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One thing he didn't expect when he first published in July 2023 was an uptick in Canadian pride this year.
The 27-year-old said his recent edition, based on New Brunswick and its notable people and places, "couldn't have come out at a better time."
"We're Canadians proud and strong and free. This is our home and native land. … If there was any way that I could play my part in sharing our Canadian pride and love, this is my way of doing it."
Books about 8 provinces so far
Cranford considers his word searches part of his patriotic duty and a way to "bring the country together."
"We all need that love right now. I mean Canada needs it. We all need it, and yeah, so I'm happy to do this," said Cranford.
Cranford has released 15 books based on eight provinces, with some provinces having multiple volumes. Each book contains famous people, historical sites, restaurants and businesses.
He even has a Newfoundland and Labrador book focused on just the province's restaurants.
His process to create the books has evolved since his first book, which took months to put together. He said it took him "a matter of weeks" to put together his New Brunswick-themed book.
Lots of sources
Cranford uses the internet for most of his research. He said government websites are useful to find official places such as parks, as well as politicians' names.
Cranford consulted with local people in his home province and in Nova Scotia to find inspiration for those editions.
He also uses some knowledge from travel. Cranford hasn't been to every province and territory himself, but he's included the locations he has visited.
In his New Brunswick edition, word searchers will find the Bay of Fundy, Acadian Peninsula and Hopewell Rocks, among other familiar places. There are 140 puzzles and about 2,000 words in the book.
Cranford hopes his books will help people gain a deeper appreciation of their home.
"Whether you're in Newfoundland or New Brunswick or Alberta or Canada, like whether you're visiting or you're born and bred, you know, like, I think everyone wants to have something that represents home, and I think these have been a great way of representing that."
Born and raised in St. John's, Cranford has had some success with his books so far, especially with his Newfoundland and Labrador edition.
"I mean, people were buying armloads of them. It was quite a phenomenon here at my home."
His Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia volumes combined have sold more than 50,000 copies.
The book's themes cover eight provinces so far. Cranford's goal is to complete the remaining provinces — British Columbia and Quebec — as well as the three territories.
Cranford thinks his books are not only a way to celebrate the places where we live, but also a way to learn about other provinces.
"This is a cool way of not only educating, but entertaining," Cranford said. "So, it's like a blend of humour, entertainment, education, tourism … It's not just your regular word search, it's sort of like it's a journey through home."
The idea for his first word puzzle came from the time he spent with Rita Higdon, his great-grandmother, in her final years.
Cranford called her his great Nan, and when spending time at her house or taking her to dinner, one thing was obvious: her love of word searches.
"They were probably her breakfast, lunch and dinner. She would always have a big stack of them, like, on the bed or living room."
Cranford released his Newfoundland and Labrador edition not long after his great-grandmother died.
His family owns and operates a local publishing house called Flanker Press, which gave him the means to produce his books. The design and layout of his books are put together at their office in Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador, just outside of St. John's.
Cranford's books can be bought online and at some stores in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. He hopes to have his books in more stores but it's "one step at a time."