Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story is a great gift choice for nature loving kids and adults. (Purchase options below, or support your own independent bookstore!)
For KIDS–pair this beautiful picture book with woodland creatures (the stuffed kind!) & nature craft stamps for making their own nature greeting cards.*
For ADULTS–pair the book with Gwen Frostic’s own nature greeting cards, still available, and a donation to a cause benefitting our environment.*
*See bottom of page for environmentally conscious GIFT IDEAS to pair with the book for Earth Day, Easter, spring or any holiday! (Along with sources.)
Book illustration by Eileen Ryan Ewen
This picture book biography (Sleeping Bear Press; 2018) tells the story behind Gwen Frostic’s famous artwork. A pioneering woman, she was a nature artist and early environmentalist from Michigan. Gwen sketched in nature, then created striking linoleum block prints. Gwen’s beautiful greeting cards and books were known world-wide.
After a debilitating illness as a child, Gwen learned to be persistent and independent—never taking no for an answer. She did not allow stereotypes around disability or age define her, and Gwen defied the low expectations assigned to women of her era.
Gwen created artwork for famous Detroiters and for display at the World’s Fair and helped to build WWII bombers. Then Gwen moved her highly successful printmaking business to the wilds of northern Michigan.
illustration by Eileen Ryan Ewen
For most of her 95 years Gwen dedicated her work and her life to opening people’s eyes to the wonder and beauty of our natural world.
(Ages 6-9. Sleeping Bear Press; July 2018)
Author: Lindsey McDivitt
Illustrator: Eileen Ryan Ewen
Nature’s Friend was selected as one of the CCBC Choices 2019 (best-of-the-year list of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center).
Honored as a 2018 MICHIGAN NOTABLE BOOK.
Recognized as a Sigurd F. Olsen Nature Writing award recommended title.
Plus it’s on A MIGHTY GIRL’S TOP 20 BOOKS for 2018.
Illustration by Eileen Ryan Ewen
BOOK PURCHASE OPTIONS Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story is available for purchase wherever books are sold.
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GIFTS TO PAIR WITH A COPY OF “NATURE’S FRIEND”:
Examples of Gwen Frostic greeting cards
Gwen Frostic’s nature greeting cards and other delightful gifts created from her art are Available here. (The current owners maintain Gwen’s original, unique shop in Benzonia, Michigan. The beautiful cards are printed from Gwen’s own linoleum-blocks on her Heidelberg printing presses.)
linoleum block carved by Gwen Frostic
The charities below are all nature conservation focused. (They are well rated, 3 or 4 stars, on Charity Navigator’s site.) Click on name to reach website.
Earth Justice—“Because the earth needs a good lawyer”
Friends of the Earth fights for a more healthy and just world.
The Nature Conservancy—their priorities include purchasing land to protect it & tackling climate change.
NRDC—Natural Resources Defense Council has worked to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities since 1970.
Sierra Club—adopt a wild animal & receive a beautiful stuffed critter!
World Wildlife Fund offers a “tub of cubs” and a “bucket of frogs” for kids with donation.
illustration by Eileen Ryan Ewen in Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story.
Free NATURE’S FRIEND RESOURCES–for teachers, librarians and parents:
Print Nature’s Friend activity sheets for kids
Take a quick tour of Gwen Frostic’s entrancing home and shop via Destination Michigan on PBS
Reviews of Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story:
Booklist — Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story
Reviewed on 14 June 2018
Although Gwen Frostic (1906–2001) grew up with physical disabilities, her mother encouraged the girl to become active, strong, and independent. Her artistic talent and her love of nature led her to a career creating decorative brass and copperware until her materials were needed for the war effort in the 1940s. Then she designed tools for the aircraft industry by day and made linoleum prints at night. Later she moved to “the top of Michigan’s mitten,” where she created, printed, and sold greeting cards celebrating nature.
pic courtesy of Paul W. Hankins
American Library Association Booklist Reader–excerpt:
Frostic’s journey wasn’t always easy; she grew up with physical disabilities, and during WWII, her dedication to designing military aircraft disrupted her art. The story is well told; throughout, McDivitt infuses the text with nature metaphors that would’ve pleased outdoors-loving Frostic. When Frostic signs up for mechanical drawing classes, for example, McDivitt writes: “the men squawked like angry blue jays” and ” . . . Gwen gathered up knowledge like a bird builds a nest.”
Lindsay McDivitt opens this biography with a quotation from Frostic that truly exemplifies her life and spirit: “I never knew I couldn’t do something.” Doing something—often while breaking new ground for women—is just how Frostic spent her life. I love how McDivitt captures this quality, recounting Frostic’s unusual achievements as a small business owner, a WWII-era airplane-factory tool designer, and a determined seeker of education and training . . . at a time when women were often forbidden from both.
Eileen Ryan Ewen’s charming watercolor illustrations extend the story, incorporating wonderful small details on each page. Most scenes reflect Frostic’s love of nature, from her early childhood to her later years in her western Michigan workshop. Each page turn reveals a new warm and intricate scene to linger over. This book is a joy to spend time with.
Excellent back matter includes photographs of Frostic and her workshop, additional information about her, and directions for creating your own nature print.
