Creekfinding: A True Story

March 2017 saw the release of Creekfinding: A True Story.  This tale based on the true story of Michael Osterholm and his efforts to bring back a lost stream that once flowed through a field on his farm.  With heavy equipment, thoughtful plans and plenty of ingenuity Osterholm created an environment that allowed the spring fed stream to come back and when the water came so did the birds, and reptiles, and hundreds of insects.  This is the story of the finding of that creek and the efforts to restore the creek as a habitat for the trout that once inhabited the stream.

In March, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Claudia McGehee, and Michael Osterholm were at Prairie Lights in Iowa City, Iowa to share the back story of the book, and to introduce the work to the many bibliophiles that came to hear the reading and learn about the stream and the story.  On April 1, Claudia and Jackie shared their book at the CSPS hall in Cedar Rapids as part of a program arranged and sponsored by Next Page Books in the New Bo District.  And on April 15th there is a celebration at the Perfect Blend in Mount Vernon, IA.  But the celebration does not stop there, on April 23rd, the Red Balloon Bookshop celebrates the book with another reading and appearance by Martin, McGehee, and Osterholm.

Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Claudia McGehee, Michael Osterholm
at Prairie Lights Bookstore in Iowa City, Iowa.

Watch for this blackbird who seems to show up
throughout the illustrations for the story.

Max is a real dog that was by Michael's side throughout
the Creekfinding activities.  Ask the book creators about
his story.

Michael Osterholm began his adventure with the creek
through his efforts to create a prairie area on his newly purchased
farm fields. Now cone flowers and other native wild flowers have a
home along the banks of the creek that runs through the field.

 Gtotaku - making a fish print

The first step in creating a fish print (Gyotaku) is to cover
the fish with the black ink which will create the print
impression.

Those who attended the reading at the CSPS hall in Cedar
Rapids were given an opportunity to make a fish print in the
manner that has been used in Japan for centuries.  Here the
fish which has been covered with a printer's ink is being rubbed
with the paper which will yield a print of the fish.

This is the finished print, framed, and ready for his mother's day gift.

Earlier at the CSPS hall Jacqueline Briggs Martin reads
from Creekfinding: A True Story.

Children attending the reading helped put the animals in
the prairie.

Be sure to ask the creators about the role the fox played in
the book - or at least the backstory about the origination
of the story and its role in finding the collaborators.

  From the publisher - The University of Minnesota Press

"In the words of award-winning author Jacqueline Briggs Martin and the enchanting illustrations of Claudia McGehee, this is the heartwarming tale of an ecosystem restored in the Driftless Area of northeast Iowa. The story will charm and inform young readers who are drawn to a good mystery, the wonders of nature—and, of course, big earth-moving machines." ~ University of Minnesota Press
 

"The main narrative reads smoothly aloud, and the pictures, though detailed, should show well to a small group. Author's and illustrator's notes and a comment from the actual creek rescuer complete the package. A heartening story of environmental restoration." ~ Kirkus Reviews

 

 

Jacqueline Briggs Martin - author of Creekfinding: A True Story (and many other picture book titles) is available for author appearances -- find out more at McBookwords.

McBookwords has a dozen or more authors that speak with young readers.  If you would like to investigate having an author visit your school or library -- for an author appearance please contact us at McBookwords.  Each of these authors often speak  in schools with young readers, and at all types of groups that are interested in literacy and  books.

It was a very good party - Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

How to Launch a Book in Style

Introducing Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin involved two great days and two great parties.  It's always interesting to me how setting (as in books and real life) really does have an impact on the events that take place.

Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table is now available to purchase.  Since the time the book parties were announced this book has received a number of great reviews and accolades including a great review from Kirkus Reviews "This worthy collaboration reveals how one man’s vision of food for all has inspired an amazing life of service," and a starred review from Booklist.

Eric-Shabazz Larkin has created a video and posted it on Vimeo.  He takes viewers on a picture walk through the book and shares his thoughts about what he likes about the book and makes some comments about his own illustrations.  You can view this video Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table - Book on Vimeo at http://vimeo.com/70377470.

But back to the parties -- the first one was held on Saturday, October 13 and took place at the New Bo Bookstore in the New Bo District (The Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

There were books and cake and interested young readers and many adults present -- all to cheer on the new book about a man who began a movement to farm in urban areas.  He began his work in Milwaukee, and his daughter supervises another urban farm in Chicago.  Allen has traveled across the country and to other countries to share his ideas.  On this day, during this party, Jacqueline was able to talk to young readers (and their parents and friends) about this man through her book Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table.  

Jacqueline read the book to eager listeners and then shared an idea for a mobile that children could make to show off the vegetables that could grow in their own gardens.  After the children made their mobiles, and the adults had a chance to talk about the book.  We all enjoyed a piece of the cake, collected Jackie's autograph on books sold, and talked about books some more.

Enjoying the cake -- the first pieces.

Fellow book writers and illustrators: Claudia McGehee, Jackie, and Jeni Reeves

Posing for a picture after getting an autograph.

Thinking and talking and celebrating the new book.

The second party took place the very next day, but this party moved out to the country at the Abbe Hills Farm -- the atmosphere was a departure from the first party.  At this party we enjoyed tastes of the vegetables from the farm: salsa made from fresh tomatoes, onions, and peppers; roasted new potatoes; tiny vegetable sandwiches.  Jackie shared the book with a hay rack full of children, and adults who listened too.  Books were available to read, children were able to visit the fields (traveling the distance on a tractor pulled hay rack) and gathered vegetables from the soil -- and then there was another cake.  A great time. 

Jen and Deb from the Bookhouse in Marion, Iowa talk to Jackie and Rich Martin -- The Bookhouse has a good stock of Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table.

Reading beside the farm wagon -- grassy fields, open air-- every place is a great place to read.

Earlier related posts:
Announcement of the parties:  http://bit.ly/book_farm
Review by Betsy Bird on the SLJ blog: http://bit.ly/Fuse8_WillAllen
Jackie Martin's book page for Will Allen:  http://www.jacquelinebriggsmartin.com/books/allen.html

McBookwords arranges appearances by authors/illustrators in libraries, school, other literature forums. We are now booking Jacqueline's appearances for 2013-2014, and in addition McBookwords has a dozen or more authors that speak with young readers. If you would like to investigate having Jacqueline or any other author visit your school or library -- for an author appearance please contact us at McBookwords. Each of these authors often speak in schools with young readers, and at all types of groups that are interested in literacy and books. Authors/illustrators can provide so much in terms of background and inspiration for reading and writing. smc

Book Launch Party - Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Book Launch Party - Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

In September 2013, Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table, by Mount Vernon, Iowa resident Jacqueline Briggs Martin, was released by Readers to Eaters.  Our corridor community will be celebrating the book's release with two launch parties - one a traditional book store party and the second, a farm party.  Both parties will be an opportunity to meet the author, interact with other readers, and learn about farming in urban areas (and in Iowa).  A brown bag vegetable pick will be part of the farm party.  Keepsakes at each party, and much more.

For more about the book read Betsy Bird's review on the SLJ blog.
And visit the author's book page on her website.

Book Launch Parties - October 12 & 13, 2013

 

Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table
by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Illustrated by Eric Shabazz Larkin. 
Readers to Eaters, 2013.

The Book Store Party
and the Farm Party

You're invited to BOTH parties - come to one or both.  All events are free and open to readers of all ages.  

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October 12th, 2013 (Saturday)
Book Store Party
10:00 a.m. 

October 12, 2013 (Saturday): At the book store launch Jacqueline Briggs Martin will read from her new book and answer questions about Will Allen and how she came to write the book.  New Bo Books will make copies of the book available for purchase, and Jacqueline Briggs Martin will autograph books that you purchase.  Keepsake for every attendee, including an invite to the farm party on the following day.  Everyone welcome and the event is free.
New Bo Books • 1105 3rd St SE • Cedar Rapids, IA 52401• phone:(319) 247-2665  

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October 13th, 2013 (Sunday)
Farm Party
2-4 p.m.

Farm Party - October 13, 2013 (Sunday):  Jacqueline Briggs Martin and farmer Laura Krouse invite readers of all ages to visit Abbe Hill Farms, near Mount Vernon to hear Jacqueline Briggs Martin read from her new book.  A "Brown Bag Vegetable Pick" will follow the book reading.   Each attendee will be provided a brown bag and invited to pick vegetables from the farm's gardens.  Jacqueline Briggs Martin will autograph books that you purchase. Popcorn and cider.  Conversation and information about farming in the country and in urban settings, books and writing.  Everyone welcome and the event is free.  The Bookhouse (Marion, Iowa) will have Jackie's books available for purchase -- and of course, Jackie will autograph any books purchased.

Abbe Hills Farm is located at 825 Abbe Hills Road • Mount Vernon, IA 52314 • phone: (319) 895-6924.  For specific driving directions go to http://www.abbehills.com/contact 

McBookwords arranges appearances by authors/illustrators in libraries, school, other literature forums.  We are now booking Jacqueline's appearances for 2013-2014, and in addition McBookwords has a dozen or more authors that speak with young readers.  If you would like to investigate having Jacqueline or any other author visit your school or library -- for an author appearance please contact us at McBookwords.  Each of these authors often speak  in schools with young readers, and at all types of groups that are interested in literacy and  books. 
Authors/illustrators can provide so much in terms of background and inspiration for reading and writing.
 smc