Books with author Kathy-Jo Wargin

From the author of V is for Viking: A Minnesota Alphabet and North Star Numbers: A Minnesota Number Book comes yet another reason to enjoy learning about this north woods state. Kathy-jo Wargin's poetic puzzles are perfectly paired with dual photos of Minnesota scenery and landmarks. Taken by Great Lakes photographer Ed Wargin, one in each pair of photos has undergone a slight change. Can you spot the difference? This visual treat is a charming way to acquaint beginning readers with the great state of Minnesota and its wonders.In addition to penning the first book in this new series, I Spy with My Little Eye Minnesota, Kathy-jo Wargin's other books celebrating the Great Lakes region include the 2001 IRA Children's Choice Award winner The Legend of the Loon and The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell. Ed Wargin has been a working artist for nearly twenty years, having started his successful career in commercial advertising photography. Ed's work has been published in numerous magazines and publications throughout the world. He and Kathy-jo, along with their son, Jake, live in Petoskey, Michigan.

The intriguing facts and faces, history and places of Wisconsin are revealed to readers young and old in B is for Badger: A Wisconsin Alphabet. From its leaders in fine arts and architecture (Georgia O'Keefe and Frank Lloyd Wright) to its pioneers in nature conservation (John Muir and Aldo Leopold), Wisconsin has been an influence on major movements in education, industry, and use of natural resources. Brought to life with lyric rhymes and expressive, original artwork, B is for Badger showcases for natives and visitors alike the splendors of Wisconsin.Born in Tower, Minnesota, Kathy-jo Wargin has spent a great deal of time in the upper Midwest. Previously, she teamed up with illustrator Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen on the award-winning Legend series, including The Legend of the Lady's Slipper (Upper Midwest Bookseller's Favorite). B is for Badger is her fourth state alphabet book. She lives with her family in Petoskey, Michigan.Renee Graef is new to the Sleeping Bear Press family but is very well known as a children's book illustrator for the American Girls collection with Pleasant Company. She has also illustrated for Boyd's Bears and is the illustrator of HarperCollin's My First Little House series. Renee attended the University of Wisconsin and the University of Madison; she lives in Milwaukee with her family.

Yet another moving and beautiful tale from the Legends team of author Kathy-jo Wargin and Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, The Legend of the Lady's Slipper is a suspenseful tale of a young maiden's run through the forest in an attempt to save the people of her village. "Dashing through the forest, with starlight at her heels," Running Flower is a testament of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice. You will remember her story whenever you see delicate pink and white lady's slippers carpeting the ground of a northern forest. Add The Legend of the Lady's Slipper to your collection and let it enchant you for years to come. Kathy-jo Wargin: As the author of many poems and stories for children, Kathy-jo Wargin aims to help young readers notice the most intricate details of a story by adding the nuances that create magic and wonder in a good tale. Kathy-jo Wargin (Nelson) was born in Tower, Minnesota and moved to Grand Rapids at the age of seven, where she attended and graduated from Grand Rapids Senior High School in 1983. Her love of music took her to the University of Minnesota-Duluth to study music composition. Her transition to writing books was a natural step, and in each story, her goal is to make the words carry a rhythm, just as if they were written for a musical piece. As well, her love for children and her desire to expose them to vivid written descriptions, inspire her to write with great attention to the nuances of a story, opening their minds to see all the possibilities in a scene or situation. Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen: The art of Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen captures his lifelong connection to nature and wildlife. Brimming with passionate details and brilliant color, his paintings have been published in several books. His talent for mural painting can be seen in several museums, including Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Born in the Netherlands, Gijsbert studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in Holland and immigrated to the United States in 1976. In 1993, after 17 years as the Art Director for the Michigan Natural Resources Magazine, he ventured out on his own as an artist and educator. His highest professional achievement comes from being selected numerous times into the internationally renowned Leigh Yawkey Woodson Birds in Art exhibition, held in Wisconsin. Traveling to schools in the Midwest, Gijsbert shares his love of painting and wildlife rehabilitation. Gijsbert and his wife Robbyn, give nature tours at their home outside Lansing, Michigan where they live with their two daughters, Kelly and Heather.

From the oom pah pah of the brass section to the tickle and tease of the keyboard ivories, "M is for Melody" gives a music lesson in alphabet form. Instruments, composers, terms, and even musical styles are examined from A-Z in easy, read-aloud rhymes and expository, accompanied by colorful and engaging artwork. Based on MENC National Standards for Music Education, educators will find this a valuable addition to their classroom material.

Located in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, the Nordic Countries/Territories are comprised of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Aland. And while they may share a region and some traditions, each has its own distinct geography, history, and heritage. Explore Greenland where, contrary to its name, more than 80 percent of the land is covered by an ice cap. It is home to the polar bear, as well as walrus, reindeer, and seal. Stop off in Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmar - the statue of the Little Mermaid from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale can be found near the harbor. Visit Sweden's lively Jokkmokk Winter Market which draws visitors from around the world, or sample the tasty fare of a Swedish smorgasbord. D is for Dala Horse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet gives young readers an A-Z tour. Kathy-jo Wargin is the author of 45 books for children, including The Legend of Sleeping Bear. Her many awards include an IRA Children's Choice Award for The Legend of the Loon and an IRA Teacher's Choice Award for Win One for the Gipper. Kathy-jo lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Renée Graef has illustrated more than 70 books for children. The most well-known are the "Kirsten" books in the American Girl Collection and the "My First Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Renée lives in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, with her family.

Located in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, the Nordic Countries/Territories are comprised of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Aland. And while they may share a region and some traditions, each has its own distinct geography, history, and heritage. Explore Greenland where, contrary to its name, more than 80 percent of the land is covered by an ice cap. It is home to the polar bear, as well as walrus, reindeer, and seal. Stop off in Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmar - the statue of the Little Mermaid from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale can be found near the harbor. Visit Sweden's lively Jokkmokk Winter Market which draws visitors from around the world, or sample the tasty fare of a Swedish smorgasbord. D is for Dala Horse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet gives young readers an A-Z tour. Kathy-jo Wargin is the author of 45 books for children, including The Legend of Sleeping Bear. Her many awards include an IRA Children's Choice Award for The Legend of the Loon and an IRA Teacher's Choice Award for Win One for the Gipper. Kathy-jo lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Renée Graef has illustrated more than 70 books for children. The most well-known are the "Kirsten" books in the American Girl Collection and the "My First Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Renée lives in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, with her family.

Harking back to the turn of the last century, this early reader is sure to charm students, teachers, and parents alike. In a compact format, The Michigan Reader features poems, short stories, and word games to involve students while educating and encouraging them about their state. Delicate, full-color pencil illustrations by K.L. (Kate) Darnell highlight author Kathy-jo Wargin's enchanting tales of Michigan's heroes (from the fur traders to Sojourner Truth), familiar sights (lighthouses and ships on the great waters), animals and products, with plenty of fun and nonsense in-between to engage young readers!

During the Civil War, it was not uncommon for Army units to have mascots to lift spirits and build loyalty among the soldiers. One of the most famous mascots was Old Abe, a remarkable eagle from Wisconsin. Named in honor of President Lincoln, the eagle became the mascot of the Eighth Regiment of the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Old Abe was beloved by foot soldiers and officers alike. He made them laugh with his antics -- stealing chickens, shaking hands, and creating warmth amidst the harsh conditions of war. Soaring over the battlefields, he rallied his comrades through numerous skirmishes and engagements. When his exploits became larger than life and extolled throughout the country, even the Confederates knew he was a force to be reckoned with and made the bird a target!Great Lakes author Kathy-jo Wargin has earned national acclaim with several bestselling children's books, including The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Song of the Bell, The Legend of Sleeping Bear and The Legend of the Lady's Slipper (Upper Midwest Bookseller's Favorite). She is also the author of B is for Badger: AWisconsin Alphabet. She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker throughout the country. Kathy-jo currently lives with her family in Petoskey, Michigan. Illustrator Laurie Caple has created artwork for many books and periodicals, including the American Girl series and Cricket. The Legend of Old Abe is Laurie's first book with Sleeping Bear Press. Laurie lives with her family in northern Wisconsin.

Dual photos of quaint, picturesque settings let young visitors travel the state of Michigan without leaving home. Spend time at a country fair. Visit a lighthouse or an historic fort. But wait - there's something different here. Look and see! One of the photographs in each pair has been slightly altered, and young readers are given poetic clues to help spot the differences. The husband-and-wife team of Ed and Kathy-jo Wargin create photographic puzzles to visually challenge the deductive skills of young readers. The clever result is Look & See Michigan With Me, a terrific tool to acquaint beginning readers with Michigan and its wonders. Information about the state's featured landmarks is provided in detail at the back of the book.Kathy-jo Wargin has achieved recognition through award-winning children's classics such as Michigan's official state children's book, The Legend of Sleeping Bear and many other Great Lakes stories. She lives in Petoskey, Michigan, with her husband Ed and son Jake. Ed Wargin has been a working artist for nearly 20 years, having started his successful career in commercial advertising photography. His work has been featured in numerous magazines and publications throughout the world.