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Storytellers and Artists
Over the years, Mackinac Island Press has had the good fortune of working with some amazingly talented artists, writers and storytellers from around the world. Please scroll down to find our more information about your favorite Mackinac Island Press storyteller or artist or click on the links below to jump directly to their page.
 Anne Margaret Lewis
Anne Margaret Lewis has been writing children's books
since the sixth grade when she 'wrote, designed and published' her
first children's book.
She has always written stories based on what she visualizes
and this artistic talent has fostered a cute little Elf named Emit
looking for Christmas, a King of the fireflies, and the great Gitchi
Gumee.
Her stories have charming characters, inspirational
themes and subtle, yet important messages. Her books are for children.
After a 2nd grade teacher read Lighthouse Fireflies to her class,
they broke into a spontaneous applause. One boy in Ohio wrote Lewis
and said he would 'vote for Has Anyone Seen Christmas? as many times
as it took until it won the Buckeye Children's Book Award.'
Her unique ability to find and work directly with
the illustrators has helped showcase the illustrators of her books
as Wendy Popko's moniker is a "Creative Freestyling Monet"
and Kathleen Chaney Fritz's work is being called 'museum quality...
whimsical... and awesome.'
Her books have received national recognition, with
Has Anyone Seen Christmas? not only a national bestseller, but was
also an American Booksellers Association Book Sense Selection and
Gitchi Gumee won the 2006 Midwest Booksellers Association Children's
Book of the Year Honor Book. She is also the author of Lighthouse
Fireflies, Tears of Mother Bear, Hidden Pumpkins, Hidden Cherries
and this fall is releasing, with Wendy Popko, Hidden Michigan.
Anne loves to read to children all over the country,
but most of all she loves to read to, and read with, her own children;
Caitlin, Matthew, Patrick and Cameron.
 Buck Wilder
Buck Wilder had a humble beginning. He had just released
Buck Wilder’s Small Fry Fishing Guide when a local elementary
(Michigan) school asked him to give a talk to their students.
He said he would come if they gave him a hand-baked
cherry pie. The best pie-maker in town made the pie and the kids
saw a presentation they never forgot. Buck Wilder is about the outdoors
and nature and the animals, but most importantly, Buck Wilder is
about life.
The kids loved his books and soon the local store
sold and continued to order and re-order. The teachers told another
school about his dynamic presentation, so he went to another school,
again for a pie, and then another and another. He’s now been
to almost every school in Michigan developing a reputation as one
of the countries best speakers for schools. He’s sold over
250,000 copies of his first books, Buck Wilder’s Small Fry
Fishing Guide, Buck Wilder’s Little Skippers Boating Guide,
and Buck Wilder’s Small Twig Hiking & Camping Guide.
Buck is releasing four new books this fall (2006);
Buck Wilder’s Animal Wisdom
and
Buck Wilder’s Adventures (early readers)
Book #1 Who Stole the Animal Poop?
Book #2 The Work Bees go on Strike
Book #3 The Ants Dig to China
Here are just a few of the words that have been used
to describe Buck Wilder and his books…“Sensational…a
cross between a Boy Scout and Harrison Ford from Raiders of the
Lost Ark… unique… phenomenon… passionate…
a great teacher… informational reading helps strengthen reading
skills…adventures teach lessons…he reels the kids in…”
“I can’t wait to share these books and
their messages with the kids all across the country,” Wilder
said. “I was so busy before, I rarely left Michigan, but my
kids are off to college and it’s the right time to share Buck
Wilder and his lessons to as many people as I can.”
He is doing a national book tour this fall and another
next spring, stopping at schools and bookstores all over the country,
including being a featured speaker at the California Reading Association
Conference and the keynote speaker for children's bookstores at
the Great Lakes Booksellers Annual meeting.
 PaleoJoe
www.paleojoe.com
PaleoJoe, a paleontologist from Midland, Michigan,
has been all over the country digging for dinosaurs—Allosaurus,
Apatosaurus, Woolly Mammoths and more. He has educated children
and communities by giving over 200 school presentations to 12,000
school children, by setting-up traveling exhibits for museums. He
has now written a major children’s picture book, Hidden Dinosaurs,
illustrated by Jim DeWildt. He has also teamed up with gifted writer
Wendy Caszatt-Allen for a new chapter book series entitled PaleoJoe’s
Dinosaur Detective Club. This series is targeted for children from
elementary through early junior high. The first book in the series
is The Disappearance of Dinosaur Sue and the second book is Stolen
Stegosaurus.
“I love to teach kids about dinosaurs and paleontology.
You can see their excitement and how hungry they are to learn more,”
said PaleoJoe, who in 2001 won the prestigious Katherine Palmer
Award from the Paleontological Research Institute for his outreach
programs to children and communities. “I am excited about
these books because we get to teach kids about science and the thrill
of discovery and learning. To see the look on kids’ faces
when I get to share my love of dinosaurs and paleontology…well,
it doesn’t get any better than that for me.”
 Wendy Popko
Wendy Popko illustrated Has Anyone Seen Christmas?
and The Fairy Painting, and is an accomplished mural artist. Her
work is featured in the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Benson Ford, the children’s
rooms at the Manoogian Mansion, one of the Former Detroit Pistons
and many other well known families throughout Michigan. Wendy has
also designed rugs for Stark Carpet and has had some of her paintings
featured and sold in The Elizabeth Stone Gallery. Her work has also
been featured at the Junior Leagues of Detroit and Birmingham, Michigan,
and appropriately she had been the artist at the fairy tea parties
at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.
Wendy was born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan. She
resides in the Detroit area with her husband Michael and her two
cats, Pinkiss and Jack.
"Wendy's presentation at our elementary school
was outstanding. Her discussion appealed to elementary students
of all ages, teachers and parents. It was a fascinating presentation
on how a book is published from beginning to end. I would highly
recommend this assembly to elementary school students," said Principal
Sally Klatt.
 Charles Ferguson Barker
Charles Ferguson Barker wrote and illustrated The
Day the Great Lakes Drained Away. He is a geologist and artist who
studied Geology at Arizona State University and Boston University.
He also attended the University of Michigan’s field geology
course in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After college, he worked on the
research Vessel SEAMARK, mapping the sea floor offshore California.
Charles Ferguson Barker has been working in the environmental consulting
field for 20 years and teaches Geology at Wayne State University
in Detroit. He is a member of the Michigan Science Teachers Association,
the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association and the Michigan
Reading Association.
He and his wife Peggy live in Plymouth, Michigan with
their little dog, Duncan.
"On behalf of the students and staff at Conant
Elementary School, I want to take this opportunity to thank you
for introducing Charles Ferguson Barker to us. His Great Lakes presentation
was informative and interesting - it was a wonderful way to celebrate
Michigan Week!" Carolyn Wheeler, Media Specialist
 Stacey DuFord
Stacey DuFord wrote The Fairy Painting. She is a former
morning radio personality and stand-up comedian. She was a contributing
writer for a national comedy radio service. Her humorous article,
“Nine months: A month by Month Account of My Pregnancy,”
appeared in Detroit Metropolitan Woman. She has worked as a freelance
television reporter on the ABC-affiliate WXYZ-TV, in Detroit. She
also has hosted several television specials and a cable talk show.
Stacey currently hosts the Now You’re Cooking
with Farmer Jack cooking segment on WXYZ-TV and is the TV and radio
spokesperson for Renewal by Andersen Windows. She lives in Beverly
Hills, Michigan, with her husband and two children.
"Stacey's school visit was wonderful! I had many
positive comments from parents and teachers, and the children were
so excited!" Carolyn Raleigh, Librarian, South Arbor Academy
"The message I learned was to believe in yourself.
I've wanted to be a writer as long as I can remember and I think
she wrote a great book." Andikan Archibong, fourth grade student
 Tracy Gallup
www.tracygallup.com
Tracy Gallup - Tracy has worked as an artist for twenty-six
years after receiving a BFA degree from Eastern Michigan University
and a MFA degree from Syracuse University.
She has designed a line
of dolls which have been sold at gallery, boutiques and museum shops
across the country. Ms. Gallup's book, King Cat, is clever, funny,
cute and has a certain magic to it that is hard to describe but
is immediately recognizable. King Cat is a favorite storytime book
for bookstores, classrooms and most importantly, bedtime.
Ms. Gallup will be releasing three new books with
Mackinac Island Press in the spring of 2007 and is quickly garnering
national attention and comparisons to some of the classic author/illustrators
of children's books.
 Wendy Caszatt-Allen
Wendy Caszatt-Allen is an author, poet, playwright,
and teacher. She is a graduate from the prestigious Interlochen
Center for the Arts and Michigan State University.
She is currently
finishing her PhD in Language, Literacy, and Culture at the University
of Iowa.
She released The Adventures of Pachelot: The Last
Voyage of the Griffon in early 2007 with Mackinac
Island Press and is set to follow it up with another rollicking sea adventure, The Adventures of Pachelot: Fort Brokenheart.
 Kathleen Chaney Fritz
For over 20 years Kathleen Chaney Fritz' original
oils, watercolors and limited edition prints and posters have been
gracing shops and galleries and both private and corporate collections
throughout the country. Kathleen paints a portrait of the Midwest.
She captures an essential spirit of the Great Lake States, whether
it is the carriages of Mackinac Island or a scene from the National
Lakeshore. Art is her lifelong journey.
A graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design, Kathleen
worked for many years as a free-lance illustrator. Following the
overwhelming success of her first poster-a commemorative watercolor
for the prestigious Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair in 19860-she
decided to focus on her career in fine arts. Her husband, John Fritz,
formed their own company to print, promote and package her work.
Kathleen and her husband John live and work at their
home nestled in the woods of historic Ada, Michigan.
To see more of Kathleen Chaney Fritz' art and order
prints from Tears of Mother Bear, go to www.Chaney-Fritz.com.
 Jim DeWildt
Jim illustrated Hidden Pumpkins, Hidden Cherries and
Hidden Dinosaurs. Jim's unique artistic talent lies in his ability
to render masterfully in watercolor, oil, acrylic, ink and pencil.
His work can be found across the country and overseas from private
collections to prestigious corporate brochures.
An honor graduate of the Kendall College of Art and
Design, he spent two years in the U.S. Army before beginning his
highly successful career as an artist, illustrator and graphic designer,
spanning over 30 years.
Jim and his wife, Manie live near Traverse City, Michigan
and love to spend time with their four grown children.
Susan Hammon
Susan graduated from Central Michigan University with
a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and has been teaching
second grade in Frankfort, Michigan for the past eight years. She
grew up in Northern Michigan and has always been passionate about
connecting lessons inside the classroom to the beautiful natural
world that surrounds her students.
Susan is excited to be able to
blend her love of Northern Michigan with her writing to create stories
that enrich children's lives. She lives in Frankfort with her husband,
Steve and their two young sons, Evan and Luke. Authoring children's
books has been a life-long dream of Susan's and she is thrilled
to be co-authoring Hidden Cherries.
Mary Frey
From the real to the surreal, the illustrator of Lighthouse
Fireflies has enjoyed drawing and painting, even as a child growing
up in Romeo, Michigan. Mary graduated from Siena Heights University
with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in art and French. Her work has been
sold all over the world. She has created paintings that include
Amish scenes, the grandeur of the Great Lakes, and Michigan’s
lovely coast. With the whimsy of nature and the beautiful scenery
to inspire her, she sells her prints and originals at her studio,
M. Frey Studio www.mfreystudio.com, overlooking the harbor and “Fishtown”
in the charming lakeside village of Leland, Michigan.
Mary lives in the Leelanau Peninsula of Michigan with
her husband Tom and her family.
 Janis Campbell
Janis is usually uncovering stories for the Detroit
Free Press where she writes for “Yak’s Corner,”
a magazine for young readers. She has worked for the newspaper for
12 years.
Janis grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan, and graduated
from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism.
For nearly 20 years Janis has been vacationing in
charming Frankfort, a tiny town she calls one of the state’s
“hidden treasures.” Last year, she moved to Frankfort
with her husband and two children. She continues to contribute to
Yak’s Corner but also keeps busy working on book projects.
This is her first book for Mackinac Island Press.
 Joel Schoon Tanis
The One, The Only Magnificent Me! is brilliantly illustrated by award-winning artist Joel Schoon Tanis. A Holland, MI native and Hope College graduate, Joel is a celebrated painter who has shown his work around the United States – from Michigan to Florida to Colorado to Washington D.C. Joel has also shown his work as far away as Kenya where he did an art show in Nairobi to raise money for the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. His murals can be found in many schools, children’s hospitals, and churches (including murals in both Kenya and Zambia). His work is also in the collections of many celebrities, including Walter Cronkite.
Joel also has the unique ability to paint live for television and have finished pieces done in 2 hours or less, while also being an engaging and entertaining guest.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, he is also the creator of Come On Over!, a children’s television program that recently won 6 regional Emmy awards, including one for Joel as host of the show. The mission of Come On Over! is to model creativity and imagination in the lives of today’s children through interactive programming that raises their level of play, fun, and exploration. The show has had such special guests as Jars of Clay, Fred Willard (Everyone Loves Raymond, Best in Show), Ruth Buzzi (Laugh In, Sesame Street), Luis Avalos (Electric Company), Vicki Lewis (Newsradio, Finding Nemo), and Dana Snyder (Aqua Teen Hunger Force). For more, please visit www.comeonover.com.
 Dan Haseltine
The One, The Only Magnificent Me! is the debut children’s book by Dan Haseltine, the lead singer and primary lyricist for the fantastically popular band Jars of Clay. Jars of Clay is a multi-platinum and multi-GRAMMY winning band with 17 No.1 radio hits, numerous awards and nominations, 11 movie soundtracks to their credit, and legions of fans around the globe.
But most importantly, Dan and the band are making a difference in the world, as they founded the Blood:Water Mission in early 2002. The first effort of this non-profit was the “1000 Wells Project” which, to date, has brought clean water and sanitation to more than 250,000 people in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. |
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Storytellers and Artists
