Muskrat Will Be Swimming

Publisher's description (Tilbury House, 2006): 
Young Jeannie loves her community but feels sad and frustrated when classmates call her a lake rat. Jeannie confides in her grandfather who, through story, reminds her of the importance of the muskrat. With lyrical text and exquisite illustrations of wetland life, this book places traditions into the context of modern life. A wonderful book with many cross curricular connections.

Author biographies (Strong Nations): 
Cheryl Savageau grew up a "lake rat" on the shores of a lake in Massachusetts, where she spent a lot of time swimming, canoeing, and walking the shoreline. She is French and Abenaki. She lives in New Hampshire now with her husband Bill and three cats. Cheryl is a poet, quilter, and storyteller, and teaches part-time at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

Robert Hynes's murals at the Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., launched his career, and he has illustrated several dozen adult and children's books for the National Geographic Society and other publishers. He lives in Rockville, Maryland.

Resource format: Picturebook

Age recommendation: grades 1-5

Keywords: creation story, wetlands, traditional and modern life, land-based learning, courage, grandparents, storytelling, place, lake, cottage, pond, land, fishing, environment, nature walks, animals, muskrat, judgement, grandpa, hurt feelings, resilience, family, learning, kinship, Skywoman, creation, identity, confidence, ceremony, muskrat

Year of publication: 2006

Publisher information: Tilbury House