My Coyote Nose and Ptarmigan Toes: An Almost-True Alaskan Adventure
By Erin McKittrick, illustrated by Valisa Higman; Little Bigfoot, an imprint of Sasquatch Books, $10.99
What it's about: Children's book follows a family expedition into the Alaska wilderness, where a boy's imagination lets him approach challenges with a sense of adventure and fun. This matches the life of Seldovia's McKittrick and her family, which has taken numerous expeditions on foot, skis and packraft across some of the most remote areas of Alaska. Some of those adventures have been recounted in We Alaskans.
Early on, the book points out: A moose doesn't mind the mud, a coyote doesn't get lost and a ptarmigan doesn't get cold. So why should a boy? The story depicts the power of imagination, the lure of adventure, the resilience of a child and the value of a family exploring the great outdoors.
Higman is a cut-paper artist and McKittrick's sister-in-law whose work is strongly influenced by growing up in Alaska.
Excerpt: We walk and we walk, and it's terribly long. My legs are so tired — I hope they grow strong. My herd is beginning our lengthy migration. I know I can make it to our destination…
I am a caribou, running all day. I have endurance to go all the way.
A bent-over struggle through bushes so thick. Dad's huffing and grunting — mom's caught on a stick. With twigs in her eyes, Sister lets out a shriek.
I cock my head sideways and open my beak, to chirp and to warble — I sing as I flutter, hearing behind me a crash and a mutter. I speed through the tunnels of brush like an arrow, 'cause no one can bushwack as well as a sparrow.
The rain tumbles down, and the trail's turned to goo, with puddles and marshes we have to get through. I wallow in deep for a mouthful of plants. My chin's dripping mud, and the seat of my pants is soaking-wet sloppy — my mom is upset.
But I am a moose, and I love being wet. So I lift my legs high as I stomp through the muck and shower my mother in oozing brown quck.