We love this book! From Jane Freeberg's heartwarming story to Astrid Sheckels' GORGEOUS illustrations, it is hard to believe that The Scallop Christmas is a first book for both of them, although Jane says the book has really been 30-plus years in the making. She based it on a true story told to her by a friend years ago. She says: "When it came to mind, I'd think, 'That's a great story. I ought to write it down.' I'm so glad I did." So are we.

The book takes place in a New England fishing village where 10-year-old Marcie lives. Time are tough, so villagers rejoice when an unexpected bounty of scallops fills their little bay, and Marcie's father, the town schoolteacher, closes school for a week so everyone can take part in the harvest. For Marcie, scalloping with the family brings unexpected adventure and an unforgettable lesson in the truly important things in life.

We peg this as an early "read to" or a young reader book. We encourage you to take a sneak peek at a book we think is destined to be a classic. Jane and Astrid have numerous signings scheduled for this fall in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Visit our Author Events page to find out where and when.

We celebrate the harvest season and Thanksgiving this year with another tasty delight from legendary illustrator Dahlov Ipcar. Turkeys, pigs, crows, and rabbits come to life under Dahlov's imaginative and fanciful eye in Hardscrabble Harvest, as a young couple scramble to reap a harvest before mischievous animals can have their fill. Though farm life's difficulties are depicted ("The farmer plants early in the spring. He'll be lucky if he harvests a thing!") so are sharing the joys of a bountiful harvest ("Jellies in the cellar. Honey in the comb. Winter is a-coming, home sweet home.")

This is our fourth reissue of an Ipcar classic, following The Little Fisherman, My Wonderful Christmas Tree, and The Cat at Night.
Dahlov will appear twice more in the Midcoast Maine area this fall to sign books; Please check our Author Events calendar for the latest information. You can also take a sneak peek inside the book.

People make the pilgrimage to Grand Lake Stream, Maine, to decompress, connect with nature, and escape the pressures of modern society. Master Maine Guide Randy Spencer describes this process with lyricism and wit in Where Cool Waters Flow, a look at the four seasons of life out on the trails, lakes, rivers, and roads.

Although this is Randy Spencer's first book, he's been telling stories for years through music as an accomplished singer and songwriter. We've got his CDs Old Maine Guide and Footprints in the Sand available as well. Find out for yourself: Listen to some audio clips from the albums and take a sneak peek at the complete prologue from Where Cool Waters Flow.

First Maine, then New Hampshire, and now Vermont - with the launch of Leon Thompson's Not Too Awful Bad: A Storyteller's Guide to Vermont, our northern New England storyteller's guide collection is complete. Thompson, a journalist and humorist from St. Albans, delivers up a hilarious "guide" to the Green Mountain State as only an insider can. He tackles Vermont's history, culture, seasons, attractions, vernacular, and much, much more. Learn how to spot a Hipbilly or Redneck, how to prepare for mud season, and what it means when a Vermonter says "it's hard tellin', not knowin'."
Leon will be appearing at bookstores across the Green Mountain State this fall and winter so check out his schedule on our Author Events calendar. And if you want a sneak peak, you can read Leon's introduction here.

Islandport authors and illustrators are on the road, meeting and greeting folks this fall and throughout the holiday season, from New York City to Boothbay, Maine, to Greenfield, Massachusetts. Please come out, say "hi," and get a signed copy of their book. You can get the complete schedule on our Author Events calendar, but here are a few highlights we're really excited about:

Our beloved Dahlov Ipcar, at 92 still going strong, will be in Brunswick on Nov. 6 and in Bath on Dec. 5 promoting Hardscrabble Harvest.

We're excited that The Scallop Christmas pair, author Jane Freeberg and illustrator Astrid Sheckels, will be together at L.L. Bean on Nov. 28. Jane will also be at the Maine Holiday Fair at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay on Dec. 12 along with storyteller John McDonald.

Meanwhile, Astrid will be at both the World Eye Bookshop in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and Barnes & Noble in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on November 21.

Are you a fan of Islandport books? Enjoy books in general? Make sure you become a fan of the Islandport Facebook page to get regular updates on our books, authors, illustrators, and more. Our Facebook page now features not only the Islandport blog, but regular blog entries from Paging Amy, Rebecca Rule, and Randy Spencer.

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