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D is for Dala Horse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet by Kathy-jo Wargin4 of 9
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Big Belching Bog by Phyllis Root, ill. by Betsy Bowen5 of 9
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Small, Medium & Large by Jane Monroe Donovan6 of 9
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Isle Royale and Beyond by John & Ann Mahan7 of 9
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Tommy's Gone to Hilo by Tom Kastle8 of 9
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Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness West (map 753) & East (752) and Voyageurs National Park (264) from the National Geographic Society9 of 9
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Memoirs of a Goldfish by Devin Scillian, illus. by Tim BowersD is for Dala Horse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet
This gentle and colorful introduction to the Nordic countries from Greenland to Finland mixes short, rhyming stanzas beside more informative paragraphs about the various countries and aspects of them.
The text by Minnesotan Kathy-jo Wargin, formerly of Duluth, will expand knowledge of things familiar to many displaced Scandinavians here around Lake Superior. There are tomtens, Dala horses, Saint Lucia, Hans Christian Andersen, fjords and the Kalevala. The illustrations by Wisconsinite Renée Graef are bright and meticulous, sharing information all on their own.
Even for households without children, this children’s book would make a welcome addition in the home library. For classrooms, there are additional companion materials to be found on the Discover the World of Books website.
- Konnie LeMay
Big Belching Bog
I’ve always been fond of bogs and the boardwalk bog walks I’ve taken around the region. This delightfully informative book, cleverly disguised as a children’s picture book, broadened my love of bogs and gave me my latest favorite new word: flark.
Phyllis Root does a bang-up job of conveying pond-loads of information in short stanzas, walking readers comfortably through the flora, fauna and science of bogs. The illustrations by Betsy Bowen, a Grand Marais, Minnesota, artist, reflect the tone and mystique of these oft-overlooked portions of our north woods. More detailed descriptions of plants, animals and bugs make this a wonderful teaching tool plus give older readers even more to sink their bog teeth into.
A mystery threads through this tale - what is rising, rising in the bog? - which I cannot reveal. I can tell you these two things: Here is a great book to have on a north woods shelf … and a flark is a long pool of water found in bogs between ridges or strings of peat.
- Konnie LeMay
Small, Medium & Large
Using only the words of letters to Santa at the beginning and end of the book, Jane Monroe Donovan weaves a Christmas tale that can be appreciated by northern children. The wish of the little girl in this story comes in three very unusual presents under her tree, then follows her and her “gifts” through a funny, tumbling day in the snow. Witty and warm, this would make a great Christmas Eve book to keep squirming children occupied before the Big Day.
- Konnie LeMay
Isle Royale and Beyond
From their canoe and on foot in the woods, Ann and John Mahan take viewers on a personal journey into the heart of remote Isle Royale National Park. Seeing this DVD will make you yearn to visit Isle Royale. For those unable to make the trip, this may be the closest thing to being there.
The Mahans are known for their photography, and this is filled with stunning images, from the opening closeups of wolves to dramatic lightning and gorgeous shots of northern lights. You’ll learn about the park’s famous wolves and moose, and about how the archipelago of elongated islands was formed starting 1 billion years ago. I also enjoyed the recorded wilderness sounds, including moose grunts and the loon’s haunting call.
- Bob Berg
Tommy’s Gone to Hilo
Books are not the only storytelling methods, and for maritime communities like those around the Great Lakes, sea shanties and seafaring folk songs deliver good stories, too. Tom Kastle is one of the Great Lakes troubadours and my favorites on this latest album are the more lilting numbers that remind one of the strong sailboat pushing breezes of a summer’s day. Many of the songs are traditional shanties and the title song, “Tommy’s Gone to Hilo,” has been sung by others, too. (Hilo is not a Great Lakes location, but is in Peru.)
One original song, “Dancin’ Jimmy Owen,” harkens to an enduring Lake Superior mystery, the wreck of the Henry B. Smith, which continues to elude divers searching out of the Marquette region.
This album, which can be found online at www.tomkastle.com, is a good one to have on hand for light listening and perhaps a bit of musical sunshine as a mid-winter pick-me-up.
- Konnie LeMay
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness West (map 753) & East (752) and Voyageurs National Park (264)
The new trails maps from National Geographic are worth mentioning before Christmas for those with outdoor adventurers on their list. All three are on sturdy, coated paper to make them weather resistant. They have extensive details on campgrounds, ranger stations, trailheads and other information. They include short shots on protected areas and reminders of outdoor ethics.
Those visiting these special places will appreciate the details while on the trip and as memory spurs when contemplating the adventure after.
They can be found at several regional outfitters.
- Konnie LeMay
Memoirs of a Goldfish
This one is not a regional book, but when Sleeping Bear Press sent along their children’s editions I was so taken with this one I just had to give you readers a heads up on it.
Memoirs of a Goldfish turns out page after page of charm and witty humor - in both the words and images - that will appeal to adults as much as to children.
The goldfish, whose name we never learn, starts out with a bowl all to himself and then as it fills to the brim with newcomers, realizes he’d rather be alone. Or so he thinks.
The short sentences and off-beat characters are a hoot. One of my favorite goldfish observations - one that typifies the humor - comes on Day Five, just after a deep-diving bubbler is added to the bowl. “Mr. Bubbles still hasn’t said a word,” the goldfish observes. “He just looks at me. I said, ‘Hello’ today. And he said, ‘Ggggllllggggllll.’ He’s creepy.”
Okay, maybe you have to see the pictures, too. Anyway, I highly recommend this book and I love the ultimate sentiment of tolerance and getting to know each other. Maybe there are some politicians to whom we could send this for Christmas. I’m starting a list.
- Konnie LeMay