New Releases by Tricia Brown

This is the amazing true story of Bobbie the Wonder Dog, a legend in his own time who warmed the hearts of a nation. The Scotch collie mix was lost on a family trip from Oregon to Indiana in 1923 and walked all the way home, a six-month and almost 2,800-mile journey, to return to the people he loved. "Brown takes a sensational news story and focuses on the devotion of one remarkable dog to bring this amazing story to young readers for the first time. Porter’s illustrations combine rich colors and vintage details to bring Bobbie to life on the pages through all of his adventures and hardships. A dog story as incredible now as it was nearly a century ago, gives Bobbie the Wonder Dog all the makings of a timeless classic." —Midwest Book Review "Porter''s detailed and dramatically lit paintings trace Bobbie''s difficult solo trip back to Oregon, crossing through snowy forests and rain-soaked fields. An end note reveals additional details about Bobbie''s remarkable life, fleshing out a quietly inspiring story that''s just as engrossing now as it was some 90 years ago." —Publishers Weekly Bob was an average-looking collie puppy in every way, except for his bobbed tail . . . and maybe that’s why the Brazier family named him Bob, or Bobbie. But he was average in no other way. In 1923, Bobbie joined Frank and Elizabeth Brazier for a cross-country drive from Silverton, Oregon, to Indiana, Frank’s home state, where they planned to visit family. During a stop in Indiana, Bobbie was chased off by loose dogs, and after a week of searching and placing newspaper ads, the broken-hearted Braziers had to give up and start the drive home. Six months to the day after he was lost in Indiana, a very thin Bobbie was spotted on a Silverton sidewalk, his coat matted, his paws raw from wear. Unbelievable as it seemed, the three-year-old dog had WALKED almost 2,800 miles to get back home. Though weak and tired, Bobbie went berserk with joy when he was reunited with his family, and from that day, all of their lives changed. In the weeks and months that followed, his story tore across the country in newspapers and even in a hardcover collection of pet stories. He was the main attraction at an Oregon home-builders convention in Portland, where thousands lined up to pet him, and he starred in a short feature film. Also, the Braziers eventually heard from people along Bobbie''s homeward-bound route, places where he’d stopped long enough to recoup, and then he was gone again. These stories verified their thinking. Bobbie had done the impossible. When Bobbie died, he was buried in Portland, Oregon, by the Oregon Humane Society. Rin Tin-Tin was there to lay a wreath at his funeral, which was officiated by the mayor of Portland. This incredible story is all true, and the origins of Lassie Come Home are said to be traced to the story of Bob of Silverton, also known as Bobbie, the Wonder Dog.

The patience of a little musk ox is sorely tried when he suffers an itch that he cant scratch. Theres not a tree in sightnothing to rub against for reliefso he wanders away from the herd looking for a branch, a rock pile, anything. On his journey, he meets with three individuals: a buffalo, a wolf, and a Native woman. Through his interaction with each one, he learns something new and affirming about himself before returning to the herd. Endnotes include information about how musk ox were native to Alaska until they were decimated by hunters in 1865, then reintroduced in the early 1930s; biological/behavioral details about the animals; and info about the cottage industry among Native villages in which women knit the qiviut (KIV-ee-oot), the rare underwool, into beautiful, warm garments. Learn more two-page section provides facts and information about the animal and about qiviut, the softest wool in the world which comes from musk ox.

Charlie loves to watch his relatives and friends get thrown high in the air during the traditional Inupiat blanket toss. But secretly, he''s afraid to try it himself. At the Whaling Festival, he''s ready to step up and overcome his fears. Warm humor and good energy fill the pages in this inspiring story while authentic details of Alaska Native life are shared to anchor the story in place. Glowing illustrations depict Charlie’s family and village friends as they prepare for the big celebration while action scenes capture the excitement and spirit of the Festival. Exhilarating moments are expressed in the text with fun to read aloud phrases that little ones will enjoy.

For sled dog-racing fans worldwide, the most important calendar day is the first Saturday in March, when teams convene for the start of mushing''s Superbowl--the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race(R). Every year, as it has since 1973, this ultimate challenge begins in the state''s most populated city, Anchorage, and then dives into the Alaska Bush on a historic trail that wends over mountain ranges, along frozen rivers, and onto the Bering Sea ice. The finish line lies 1,000-plus miles away in Nome, beneath a giant, burled archway. There, dogs and their drivers are greeted by masses of locals, vacationing fans, officials, media, and other mushers who intimately know what that team has just endured. To simply finish is the goal for entrants; to win is the accomplishment of a rare few. Indeed, more people have climbed Mount Everest than have finished the Iditarod(R).

Groucho’s name is obvious to Kristie when she names her new kitten. He’s as white as a cloud everywhere except for those two black smudges above his eyes. What other name could she have given him? Kristie and Groucho become fast friends and playmates, reading together, snuggling under the quilt, and playing hide?and?seek, tracking games in the snow of a far north winter. When Grouch wanders away one wintery day, Kristie must rely on her Alaskan outdoor skills and woodsy savvy to follow various animal tracks. Young readers join her in a search for those precious black eyebrows in a scary, snowy world full of moose, fox, and other creatures of the wild.

The Alaska Homesteader’s Handbook is a remarkable compilation of practical information for living in one of the most impractical and inhostpitable landscapes in the United States. More than forty pioneer types ranging from their mid-nineties to mid-twenties describe their reasons for choosing to live their lives on Alaska and offer useful instructions and advice that made that life more livable. Whether it’s how to live among bears, build an outhouse, cross a river, or make birch syrup, each story gives readers a window to a life most will never know but many still dream about. Dozens of photographs and more than 100 line drawings illustrate the real-life experiences of Alaska settlers such as 1930s New Deal colonists, demobilized military who stayed after World War II, dream seekers from the ’60s and ’70s, and myriad others who staked their claim in Alaska.

When Nome, Alaska, is snowed in on Christmas Eve, Santa enlists the aid of a dog musher who lives on the Iditerod Trail. Includes facts about Alaska and dog sled racing.

Calling something ""World Famous"" doesn''t make it world famous, but the Alaska Highway actually is known around the world. Mention the name or its familiar nickname, ""The Alcan,"" and somebody in the crowd has driven it or has always wanted to ""do"" the highway. And why not? This amazing road through the northern reaches of Canada and into Alaska has cast a spell on the motoring public for more than sixty years, ever since it was hurriedly built in 1942. After World War II, with the opening of the road to civilians, Alaska was finally a drive-to destination, and the stream of tourists hasn''t stopped. The Alaska Highway spans the northern reaches of Canada into Alaska. This illustrated guide highlights this amazing stretch of road that has cast a spell on the motoring public for more than 60 years.

Children of the Midnight Sun was chosen as one of Parenting Magazine''s 1998 Books of the Year and School Library Journal''s Best Books of 1998. For Native children, growing up in Alaska today means dwelling in a place where traditional practices sometimes mix oddly with modern conveniences. Children of the Midnight Sun explores the lives of eight Alaskan Native children, each representing a unique and ancient culture. This extraordinary book also looks at the critical role elders play in teaching the young Native traditions. Photographs and text present the experiences and way of life of Tlingit, Athabascan, Yup''ik, and other Native American children in the villages, cities, and Bush areas of Alaska.

Describes what life is like for Imram, a Moslem boy who is an American.

A tour guide to the landmarks and interesting sights of San Francisco.

Text and photographs depict the celebration of Chinese New Year by Chinese Americans living in San Francisco''s Chinatown.

Explores the universal enjoyments of childhood that all children can realize and share with a handicapped child.

A young Vietnamese American girl describes her family and school life, Saturday activities, and celebration of TET, the Vietnamese New Year.

"Extends a warm invitation to share (Frankie Valdez''s birthday and) to samplehis culture''s traditional festivities".--Booklist.