Once upon a time a creek burbled up and tumbled across a prairie valley. It was filled with insects and brook trout that ate them, frogs that chirruped and birds watching for bugs and fish. This is a true story about a man named Mike who went looking for that creek long after it was buried under fields of corn. It is the story of how a creek can be brought back to life, and with it a whole world of nature.

In the words of award-winning author Jacqueline Briggs Martin and the enchanting illustrations by Claudia McGehee, this heartening tale of an ecosystem restored in the Driftless Area of northeast Iowa unfolds in a way that will charm and inform young readers who are drawn to a good mystery, the wonders of nature-and, of course, big earth-moving machines.

About the Author

Jacqueline Briggs Martin has written more than fifteen picture books including the Caldecott Award-winning Snowflake Bentley and, most recently, Chicken Joy on Redbean Road and Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table.

Claudia McGehee is the illustrator and author of A Tallgrass Prairie Alphabet and A Woodland Counting Book. Most recently, she illustrated North Woods Girl.

Reviews

"The main narrative reads smoothly aloud, and the pictures, though detailed, should show well to a small group. Author's and illustrator's notes and a comment from the actual creek rescuer complete the package. A heartening story of environmental restoration."-Kirkus Reviews

"A heartening picture book that celebrates the thoughtful restoration of a prairie."-Booklist

"A delightful picture book."-Cabin Living Magazine

"The story springs to life through Martin's (Alice Waters and the Trip to Delicious) buoyant, personified language. McGehee's (North Woods Girl) vibrant, stylized illustrations show nearly smiling fish, birds, and insects populating their new environment."-Publishers Weekly

"Chronicling the true story of one man's quest to revive a stream rumored to have run through the prairies of Iowa, Jacqueline Briggs Martin relates the trials and triumphs in Creekfinding, a return to nature that proves that 'a creek isn't just water.'"-Foreword Reviews

"Eloquent narrative nonfiction to inspire the future caretakers of our planet."-School Library Journal

"Reading this story aloud to my three children has already inspired change in our local ecosystem."-Wellesley Magazine

"Creekfinding is a beautiful rendering of this inspiring true story of environmentalism in action."-Little Village

"Creekfinding will have young readers thinking how they can find and support their own wilderness in the places they live."-Children's Compass Chronicle

"A great book to share with curious children."-Kids and Eggs

"A lovely and inspiring new children's book."-The Gazette

"We all need to hear stories like this one; true stories about people who have brought about change and made the world a better place through their actions. Hearing such stories lifts us up, and we are encouraged to do what we can to make our part of the world more beautiful."-Through The Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

"With patience and passion, the process paid off, in this environmentally engaging story of hope and the tenacity of spirit displayed by those who care about the Earth - their commitment restores our planet to its natural beauty. How grateful we are for their contributions."-The Missourian

"Readers of all ages will appreciate the sequence of events in restoring the creek and the anecdotal comments about frogs, and the life cycle of Brook Trout."-Oneora Reading Journal

Book Information
ISBN 9780816698028
Author Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Format Hardback
Page Count 36
Imprint University of Minnesota Press
Publisher University of Minnesota Press
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 254mm * 51mm