Books in Hippo Fiction series

Set in the 1870s, young Charlotte and her family move north after the Great Chicago Fire to discover the rich heritage and natural wonders of Isle Royale, a remote island in Lake Superior which is now a U.S. National Park. In the Midwestern tradition of the "Little House" books, this heartwarming tale of growing up in a pioneer family on the edge of the wilderness will delight readers of all ages. "An excellent job of capturing the time and place . . . . Charlotte is a thoughtful and engaging character" (School Library Journal). Based on the diaries of early settlers. For ages 8-12 and older.

In this companion to Gathering: A Northwoods Counting Book Betsy Bowen again captures the vibrant magic in each northwoods day through effortless prose and colorful woodcuts. While the canoe waits beneath the heavy snow and the river freezes over, bears turn in for long winter naps and people spend time reading by the fire or bundled up in layers. But when spring comes, it’s time for kayaking, fishing, and listening to the quiet pond sounds of the new season. All of this and more is celebrated in Bowen’s warm and unusual alphabet book that introduces children to the cyclical rhythms of life in our country’s northern states.

"It's so cold on the prairies that everybody wears balaclavas when they go into a convenience store. It's so cold on the prairies that politicians keep their hands in their own pockets." If you've ever had your tongue stuck to a chainlink fence this book is for you. If your in-laws have ever come to visit while weather watch systems warn of record-breaking snowfalls - this book is definitely for you. If you're ever freezing to death in a stalled vehicle during a prairie whiteout this book may save your life: it's one of the few books freedom-to-read advocates actually recommend burning in case of emergency. Each page is illustrated with a weather saying, so br-r-r-race yourself for a wickedly wry and witty look at the season we love to hate.