Illustrations and rhyming text introduce people, places, and things associated with the state of Illinois, each accompanied by a more detailed explanation.

Describes the voyage and sinking of the giant transport ship, the Edmund Fitzgerald, which was caught in a raging storm while crossing Lake Superior in November, 1975.

Illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen

The sixth tale in our Legend series, "The Legend of the Petoskey Stone" focuses on the naming of this unique fossil, found only on the shores of Lake Michigan. From the ancient, warm sea that covered most of the state, through Native American history and the history of the town named after a great chief, "The Legend of the Petoskey Stone" is a welcome addition to the fables so richly told and illustrated by this much-loved and honored children's book team.

Author Kathy-jo Wargin has earned national acclaim through award-winning children's classics such as Michigan's official state book, "The Legend of Sleeping Bear," Children's Choice Award winner "The Legend of the Loon, The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell," and many others. Kathy-jo enjoys writing about nature and its effect on all our lives, and is a frequent guest speaker throughout the country. She is also a faculty member of the Bear River Writers Workshop, sponsored by the University of Michigan. She lives in Petoskey, Michigan.

Since the publication of "The Legend of Sleeping Bear," artist Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen has been an established presence in the world of children's book illustration. His many other titles with Sleeping Bear Press include "The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell, Adopted by an Owl, Jam & Jelly by Holly & Nellie," and "The Legend of Leelanau." Gijsbert and his family live in Bath, Michigan.

Retells the story of the great turtle Makinauk that enlists the aid of other animals to help create the special place known as Mackinac Island.

For thousands of years, Winter stayed the whole year round in "Michigane" until an old warrior and a young boy traveled through the frigid cold with nothing but warm hearts and an old pair of mittens.

Set in the late 1950s, this is the moving story of a young boy whose father operates a ferryboat between Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas. As young Mark witnesses the building of the new Mackinac Bridge, he is torn between family loyalty and eager anticipation. He can't help being awestruck by the majesty of the five-mile-long bridge that will connect the two peninsulas and change the lives of so many. But the Mighty Mac will also put Mark's father out of business. As his father struggles with the flow of progress, Mark dreams of future bridges he will build.Details of the complex construction of the bridge will fascinate children as they learn an important part of America's history and come to understand the meaning of change. The Mackinac Bridge Authority provides history notes at the back of the book.

A young maiden is entranced by the Spirit Wood, where playful fairies known as the Pukwudjininees live, and wants to keep visiting there despite being forbidden to do so by her family.

Illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen

Illustrator Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen and wife Robbyn team up again for another wildlife tale drawn from their encounters with the animal kingdom. Told in journal form and rendered in beautifully detailed artwork, the van Frankenhuyzens give a "day in the life" view as the fox Samantha begins her journey from injured kit to independent adult living on her own.

Always respecting the boundaries between the wild and the human ways of life and based on years of work as licensed wildlife rehabilitators, Gijsbert and Robbyn recommend readers "do not try this at home."" Saving Samantha" is Gijsbert's fourteenth book with Sleeping Bear Press. He has also illustrated the best-selling "The Legend of Sleeping Bear, The Legend of Leelanau," and most recently "The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell. "He and Robbyn live with their daughters in Bath, Michigan, on a 40-acre farm.

In this retelling of an Ojibwe Indian tale, a mother bear loses sight of her two cubs as they all attempt to escape a forest fire by swimming across Lake Michigan.

After being shown the wonders of nature by Granmother Lom, two children venture out in her boat alone, find themselves in danger, and are rescued by a mysterious bird.

The true story of a young German girl, Mercedes Simon, and of the American pilot, Gail Halvorsen, who shared hope and joy with the children of West Berlin by dropping candy-filled parachutes during the Airlift.

For years Jasper, a moon bear, lived a miserable existence, held captive in a cage by bear farmers in rural China. The farmers extracted the bile from Jasper's body and sold it to be used in traditional medicines. It's a horrific practice and conducted on thousands of moon bears each year. But now Jasper has the chance to be free and live a life away from pain and torture. In 2000, Animals Asia, an animal welfare organization, rescued Jasper and other captive moon bears, taking them to its Moon Bear Rescue Centre. Here veterinarians attended to the bears' wounds, hoping to give them some chance of a peaceful existence in the animal sanctuary. But after so many years of abuse Jasper's wounds, both physical and mental, are extensive. Can Jasper mend his body and mind and finally enjoy the life he was meant to live?