Gold Medal, Best Picture Book (All Ages), 2013 Moonbeam Children's Book Award

Everyone gets homesick. And Nic is no different. She's so excited about spending the entire summer on a small New England island with her grandparents that she counts down the days through winter and spring. But when the grand adventure finally begins, she finds tears and loneliness instead of joy and freedom.

Astrid Sheckels' picture book Nic and Nellie is a gorgeously illustrated, heartwarming story of a girl and her beloved dog, Nellie, who slowly learn that new places really aren't so scary, and that often friends can be found around every corner, even in old row boats, tidal ponds, and stinky mud flats.

Nic and Nellie

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Astrid Sheckels cannot remember a time when she was not telling or illustrating stories, especially ones involving imaginary animals. A native of western Massachusetts and growing up in an artistic family, Astrid spent her childhood playing outside, using her imagination, and drawing. Her Scandinavian roots are evident in her artwork, which she describes as a “mix of classic realism and whimsy.” She studied Fine Art at Greenfield Community College and works as a full-time artist. She is a member of the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Astrid is the author/illustrator of “Hector Fox and the Giant Quest”, the first book in the whimsical Hector Fox series. Her debut as an author/illustrator is the award-winning "Nic and Nellie" (2013). As an illustrator, her other award-winning Islandport Press titles are "The Scallop Christmas" (Freeburg, 2009) and "The Fish House Door" (Baldwin, 2010).
"The story of Nic and Nellie is charming. Nic and her dog Nellie have gone away on Nic's first solo vacation to visit her grandparents in Maine. Nic's character moves from the anxiety of being away from familiar faces and places, to having a wonderful time and making new friends. What a great book for a child going on their own first camp or vacation trip! But, for me, it was the illustrations of Maine that hit home . . . I connected with her art on a deeply personal level. I think anyone who has a bit of the Maine coast lodged in their heart would do the same. If you think you're in that group, then go out and find a copy of Nic and Nellie. You won't regret it."
—Sarah Tuttle, Local Love: Books for Children in New England

"For any child who's off to sleepaway camp or who's ever felt homesick, this book deserves to be packed in their suitcase as a reminder of new adventure can be . . . A beautifully illustrated picture book that reminds us how fleeting summer can be, but how its adventures that take us out of our comfort zone can last a lifetime. "
— Pamela Brill, The Talking Walnut

"Like many classic children's books, Nic and Nellie is a story about learning from one's environment and growing up (but not growing up too much). Nic's summer ends up being the summer we all want to remember from our childhoods — a season of sunshine and berries, of play and love, of children and dogs, of bonfires and song and laughter . . . The Maine island on which Nic's grandparents live is achingly beautiful. For Nic and for readers, it becomes a place to be revisited often."
— Tinky Weisblat, The Greenfield Recorder

Nic and Nellie

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