Books published by publisher Raven Productions, Inc

A delightful combination of sonnets and squirrels, hoary bats and haiku, facts and fantasy, this book is destined to be the one kids beg for at bedtime. 22 different northern mammals are presented in a variety of poetry forms along with complex and colorful illustrations. Each poem is accompanied by a brief set of facts about the animal. Poems range from silly to serious. One page about taxonomy and one page about poetry forms provide educators and parents with a clear and helpful resource for introducing these topics.

A delightful combination of sonnets and squirrels, hoary bats and haiku, facts and fantasy, this book is destined to be the one kids beg for at bedtime. 22 different northern mammals are presented in a variety of poetry forms along with complex and colorful illustrations. Each poem is accompanied by a brief set of facts about the animal. Poems range from silly to serious. One page about taxonomy and one page about poetry forms provide educators and parents with a clear and helpful resource for introducing these topics. Mammals include: arctic shrew, wolverine, pine marten, woodland caribou, bobcat, thinhorn sheep, moose, gray wolf, star-nosed mole, jumping mouse, porcupine, hoary bat, black bear, Kodiak bear, white-tailed deer, northern flying squirrel, otter, and you. Poetry forms described and used include haiku, sonnet, limerick, cumulative verse, pantoum, villanelle, syllabic verse, free verse, lyrics and lullabies.

After his second trip as a voyageur traveling in the big North canoes from Montreal to Grand Portage, Pierre La Page is going to winter over at the Northwest Company trading post on Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota. But first he and his brigade must attend the rendezvous in Grand Portage, paddle the 200-mile route, befriend the Ojibwe people at the lake, build shelters for the cold, hard time to come, and put away food to see them through the long winter ahead. Pierre is just 15 years old, but growing up fast in the company of his seasoned brigade members. His friendship with the son of the Ojibwe leader provides him with new perspectives about the wilderness that surrounds him and the people in his life.

A family canoe trip into the Border Country lakes of northern Minnesota and western Ontario is vividly depicted with woodblocks, sketches, and prose. Each page presents a new aspect of the Canoe Country's human and natural history, blended with a typical summer day of paddling, portaging and camping. Although the trip takes the reader into the wilderness of northern Minnesota, the camp activities, wildlife and scenery could be part of a wilderness trip in Maine, the Adirondacks, Algonquin Park, or many other places up north.

Follow the tale of a boy, a family fishing trip, and a beautiful salmon traveling persistently toward her spawning place. Will she make it? Will the boy catch the fish of his dreams? Big Fish Dreams masterfully intertwines the story of the boy and the salmon while teaching children about ecosystems, watersheds, and the part salmon play in the health of both. A non-fiction section provides more detail about salmon and follows a raindrop's path through a healthy watershed.

Outstanding read-aloud stories for families, teachers, librarians, babysitters, camp counselors, and of course, children. Some storeis are original, some are based on traditional tales from other cultures, and some are new twists on familiar stories, but all are laced with humor and northwoods lore. A brief nature lesson is included at the end of each tale.

Is it collecting the kindling and making the fire in the old wood stove with Gramps? Playing Chinese Checkers with Nana until the little room is hot? The warm benches and the steam from splashing water on the rocks? The dip in the cool lake at sunset? The loons calling under the stars? Or is there something even better about taking a sauna at Nana and Gramps cabin? Boldly colorful illustrations and a playful grandchild enjoying time at the lake with grandparents create a book to be enjoyed by all generations. The last page provides information about saunas as a Finnish tradition.

Is it collecting the kindling and making the fire in the old wood stove with Gramps? Playing Chinese Checkers with Nana until the little room is hot? The warm benches and the steam from splashing water on the rocks? The dip in the cool lake at sunset? The loons calling under the stars? Or is there something even better about taking a sauna at Nana and Gramps cabin? Boldly colorful illustrations and a playful grandchild enjoying time at the lake with grandparents create a book to be enjoyed by all generations. The last page provides information about saunas as a Finnish tradition.