Kathy-jo Wargin

I Spy Minnesota
photographed by Ed Wargin
Sleeping Bear Press, 2008
ISBN 978-1585363599

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?




			North Star Numbers illustrated by Laurie Caple Sleeping Bear Press, 2008 ISBN 978-1585361878 Following on the heels of V is for Viking: A Minnesota Alphabet, Kathy-jo Wargin uses simple number concepts to continue her celebration of the great state of Minnesota. In North Star Numbers: A Minnesota Number Book, young readers can step back in time and experience nineteenth century army life at Fort Snelling, travel over 3,000 miles of canoe routes, see where thousands of bright yellow Tonka Trucks were made, and view the world's largest hockey stick.



			The Voyageur's Paddle illustrated by David Geister Sleeping Bear Press, 2007 ISBN 978-1585360079 Voyageur is the French word for "traveler," but in the Great Lakes region during the seventeenth century, it described those men who made their living trading furs and goods along water routes. Traveling by canoe, these voyageurs helped to establish north woods trading posts and settlements, opening up the West to future exploration. Awards and Recognition 2007 Bank Street College of Education—Best Book of the Year List



			Look and See Michigan with Me photographed by Ed Wargin Sleeping Bear Press, 2007 ISBN 978-1585363230 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 Legend of Wisconsin illustrated by David Geister Sleeping Bear Press, 2007 ISBN 978-1585363087 The great Gitchee Manitou has sent Nanabush the Giant Hare to the new north country to give the first animals their names and special markings. But trickster that he is, Nanabush prefers to play silly games. When Ahmik the Giant Beaver lures Nanabush into a chase across the newly formed land and water, their game etches out a beautiful wonderland of islands and ponds and lakes. Readers young and old will enjoy the legend behind the creation of the state whose very name Wisk-on-sin means "place of the beaver."



			The Frog Prince illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert Sleeping Bear Press, 2007 ISBN 978-1587262791 Kathy-Jo Wargin has woven her literary magic in a retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale. It is a treasure to be collected by princesses and princes everywhere. The book speaks its own language of love; the gentle, firm guidance of a father, promises kept (difficult as they may be), and the belief that persistence pays off.



			Mitt & Minn's Illinois Adventure illustrated by Karen Busch Holman Mitten Press, 2007 ISBN 978-1587263064 After exploring their respective home states, Mitt and Minn meet in Book Three at the Wisconsin Cheese Jamboree. At the conclusion of the exciting cheese-eating contest, they discover that they are indeed brother and sister. A Jersey cow from Illinois shares the news with them and tells them that she can help them reunite with their parents. Mitt and Minn decide against returning to Minnesota with Minn’s beloved Gerdie and set off on a new adventure to the land of Lincoln. Will a happy reunion with their parents await the mice there?



			Mitt & Minn at the Wisconsin Cheese Jamboree illustrated by Karen Busch Holman Mitten Press, 2007 ISBN 978-1587263057 As attractive as cheese is to a pair of mice, Mitt and Minn both have other motives as well for heading off to Wisconsin. Mitt, the Michigan mouse, has lost the only home he remembers—his snug red, wool mitten. He's traveled across his home state searching but now winning the Cheese Jamboree cheese-eating contest seems like his only chance to find it. Minn has followed her friend Gerdie from Minnesota and now must win herself in order to be spotted by Gerdie in the crowd at the fair.

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