John Muir wrote Stickeen, his account of his adventures with a brave little dog, in 1880–and it is still just as thrilling over a century later. We follow Muir through a trip he called “the most memorable of my wild life,” crisscrossing icy crevasses and eventually winning over his aloof and mysterious companion, Stickeen.
Now there is a picture book adaptation that captures the spirit and adventure of the original book, while pairing it with the majestic wintry art of Christopher Canyon. Donnell Rubay’s adapted text works for both adults and children, from adventure-loving four year olds to dog-loving twelve year olds.
“Canyon’s illustrations capture all the drama and desolation of the Alaskan landscape, conveying in breathtaking imagery the tremendous courage and ingenuity required of the twosome confronted by the powerful forces of nature.” – Bloomsbury Review
If you’re looking for an adventure story to read in front of the fire or under the covers this winter, Stickeen will satisfy older and younger siblings alike.
And if one of your intrepid explorers wants to know more about the remarkable life of the founder of the Sierra Club and preserver of Yosemite, you can read more in this “autobiography” that takes John Muir’s own words to tell the story of his life, adapted by Joseph Cornell.
Happy reading!
