Books published by publisher Down East Books

Sunny's first knitting project -- a scarf -- is so boring that she never bothers to finish it. But when she wears holes in her mittens, her grandmother decides that Sunny should learn to knit something fun and useful: Swedish Lovikka mittens! They're soft, exceptionally warm, and knit up quickly. In just a few days, Sunny has a new pair of beautiful wooly mittens: worked in the round, felted and brushed to fuzzy softness, and charmingly decorated with simple embroidery.

Red Flannel is a pair of woolen long johns, and Rosebud is a lacy, delicate nightgown. On wash days they hang side by side on the clothesline. Red Flannel is in love with Rosebud, but he's too clumsy and shy to speak to her. For her part, Rosebud feels it beneath her dignity to converse with such a coarse fellow.One day, when a sudden snowstorm threatens to freeze them on the line, Rosebud and Red Flannel take off on a harrowing adventure. Will they survive howling wind and bitter wind only to be eaten by cows?In this Lupine Award-winning book, Ethel Pochocki has created a hero and heroine of timeless appeal, and Mary Beth Owens's energetic watercolor illustrations infuse them with radiance. What Rosebud and Red Flannel find within themselves—and in each other— will warm every heart.

Filled with a wide array of classic knitting patterns, this book is, in essence, the ultimate mitten book. The patterns are organized from simple to difficult and their origins range from traditional Scandinavian and Canadian Maritime patterns to more contemporary sewn and windblock patterns from right here in Maine. Rounding out the patterns is useful information on caring for and repairing woolens; tips for adding details such as buttons, straps, or leather palms to mittens; and a list of yarn suppliers.

The redoubtable Grandma-this book is a sequel to Grandma Drove the Garbage Truck-is at it again. In addition to collecting the town's garbage, Grandma and her sons also plow the roads in the winter. But what happens when a blizzard comes through, it's the day of the big town carol sing, and Grandma's sons are all stuck in the snow and unable to plow? Leave it to Grandma to clear the way to the church for the carol sing. With more help from her grandson Billy, she gets the streets clear and helps out her neighbors in the process, too. In fact, Grandma does such a good job with the plowing, she even beats Santa to the carol sing.

Miss Renee lives in a large house filled with small houses. This is because she is a maker of dollhouses and miniatures. Everything she creates is tiny and perfect. Her big house and all her little houses are peaceful and tidy. Life is quiet, just the way Miss Renee and her lazy cat like it. Then, unexpectedly, a crowd of displaced barn mice arrives, and nothing about Miss Renee's life is peaceful or tidy anymore! Resourceful Miss Renee comes up with a clever plan to solve the mouse problem, only to realize it might not have been so clever after all. In this simply told and beautifully illustrated little tale, both Miss Renee and the mice come to find out how important good neighbors really are.

The first of a three-volume series, this book is aimed at young readers interested in guns and shooting but who have no background in firearms and don’t know where to begin. Thoroughly illustrated with drawings and photos, it defines firearms terms, provides hands-on advice about using and maintaining guns, and explains aspects of shooting ranging from historic target matches to military sniping. Through example and anecdote, the book emphasizes safety and proper usage, and everything is presented in easily managed portions that can be read in series or singly—backed up with an index and suggestions for further reading.