Creekfinding
Creekfinding: A True Story is a 2017
The book depicts the restoration of the creek with the help of an excavator, which is introduced as a "creekfinding machine". It was published by the University of Minnesota Press on March 1, 2017, and was well received. Critics praised its focus on environmental conservation as well as McGehee's scratchboard illustrations, and in 2018 it received a Riverby Award, which recognizes nature-related books for children, from the John Burroughs Association.
Background and publication
In 2002,
The restoration of the original 1,280-foot (390 m) stream took place over the next seven years.
Creekfinding: A True Story depicts Osterholm's restoration of Brook Creek and the return of wildlife to the area.[5] The author, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, decided to write a book about Osterholm after reading a November 2011 article about his project published in The Gazette.[6] She spoke with Osterholm as she wrote Creekfinding, although she did not visit Brook Creek in person until after the book was completed.[7] Martin was already friends with the illustrator Claudia McGehee, and asked McGehee to provide the illustrations for the book. According to McGehee, while "traditionally author and illustrator don't connect during the creation of a picture book," the two collaborated throughout the development of the book, including researching the ecosystem of the creek.[6]
Dedicated to "those who take care of our green places", the 36-page book was published by the University of Minnesota Press on March 1, 2017.[8][9] In addition to the story, the book includes remarks from Martin, McGehee, and Osterholm.[8]
Synopsis
The book introduces the excavator as a "creekfinding machine" that can help uncover lost creeks.[10] It shows a vibrant creek being diverted as a farmer uses a bulldozer to fill it with dirt for growing corn. Decades later, Mike learns about the former creek and decides to restore it despite the skepticism of others. He marks the creek's former path and an excavator is used to dig into the ground to locate it. Mike waits until the winter to have trucks deliver rocks to line the creek, so that the ground is frozen by then and the trucks do not damage the soil.[11] Plants, insects, and sculpins return to the creek, and the trout are delivered in another truck. Two years later, the trout lay eggs that hatch during the winter. The book concludes with the flourishing ecosystem and a thanks "to Mike and the big machines that found the creek".[10]
Writing and illustrations
The narrative is organized into discrete sections, with titles such as "Scraping and Digging" and "Time for Trout".
McGehee said that she visited Brook Creek before creating the illustrations because she "wanted to re-create the textures and colors [she] saw, so readers could 'walk' alongside Brook Creek as they learned about its restoration".
Reception
Critics praised Creekfinding for its focus on environmental conservation. Reviewing for School Library Journal, Barbara Auerbach wrote that the book would "inspire the future caretakers of our planet",[9] and several reviewers described it as a "heartening" depiction of the creek's restoration.[8][11] A reviewer for Publishers Weekly also praised the note from Osterholm at the end of the book that encourages readers to take action and help restore degraded parts of their environment.[5] Reviewers also wrote positively about McGehee's scratchboard illustrations. Kirkus Reviews noted that the detailed pictures, with "curving lines filled with life", would still be visible if the book was read to a small group, and Auerbach described the artwork as "stunning".[8][9]
The book was listed on the New York Public Library's "100 Best Books for Kids" in 2017.[14][15] It received a Riverby Award, which recognizes nature-related books for children, from the John Burroughs Association in 2018.[14][16]
References
- ^ a b c Kilen, Mike (April 19, 2017). "This Iowa landowner brought a creek back to life". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ a b Anderson, Dennis (June 29, 2017). "Dr. Michael Osterholm's commitment cures ailing trout streams". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ Clymer, Adam (August 21, 2005). "Finding Trout in Iowa's Restored Streams". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 25, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ a b Schulte, Annette (November 30, 2011). "A manmade miracle of nature". The Gazette. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Review of Creekfinding: A True Story". Publishers Weekly. December 19, 2016. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Giorgio, Katie Mills (March 26, 2017). "Iowa City author and illustrator team up to create new picture book". The Gazette. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ^ Palmquist, Vicki (April 13, 2017). "Creekfinding with author Jacqueline Briggs Martin". Bookology. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Review of Creekfinding: A True Story". Kirkus Reviews. December 14, 2016. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Auerbach, Barbara (February 1, 2017). "Review of Creekfinding: A True Story". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8166-9802-8.
- ^ Gale A479078067. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- Gale A511524477. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ McCorquodale, Pallas Gates (March–April 2017). "Review of Creekfinding: A True Story". Foreword Reviews. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ a b "Local author to read from new children's book today in I.C." The Gazette. March 3, 2019. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ^ "New York Public Library Announces Its Best Books of 2017 for Kids and Teens". New York Public Library. November 20, 2017. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ^ "About the Literary Awards". John Burroughs Association. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.