New in November 2012!

Let’s just set aside the Alaskan reality shows for now. Yes, they’re entertaining, but sometimes the sustained hype is wearisome. Still we watch!

You want reality? Here’s the real deal: my newest book from Alaska Northwest Books, The Alaska Homesteader’s Handbook: Independent Living on the Last Frontier.

I partnered with Palmer, Alaska, resident Nancy Gates to interview forty-four Alaskans for this how-to book, so each “chapter” is a mini-profile coupled with a tip from that person for getting along in the wilderness. From tying useful knots, to putting in a winter waterhole through the river ice, to field-dressing your moose . . . you’ll be amazed at what these pioneers, old and young, have to teach! And all of the how-to segments are beautifully illustrated by Natalie Gates.

Build an outhouse, lay the perfect campfire, overwinter your chickens. What works on the Last Frontier will work in your neck of the woods. So take a lesson or two from these Alaskans. Get yourself a copy and buy one for each of your friends!

They’ll be in your favorite bookstore or online bookseller. Just ask for ISBN 978-0882408118.

TRAVELIN’ TRISH

I’ve had the busiest school year to date, with trips to the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and to Alaska. I visited public and private schools, as well as libraries and bookstores. Here’s where I’ve been this year:

MIDWEST: Winslow Elementary, Indiana; Alan Shepard Elementary, Illinois; Kankakee Valley Montessori School, Bourbonnais, Illinois; Limestone School, Kankakee, Illinois; Kankakee Public Library, Illinois.

SOUTHEAST ALASKA: Southeast Island School District schools—Hollis, Thorne Bay, Kasaan, Port Protection, Coffman, Naukati, Edna Bay, and Whale Pass; Craig Elementary, Craig; Craig Public Library, Craig; Hydaburg School, Hydaburg; Ketchikan Public Library in association with Parnassus Books, Ketchikan; Holy Name School, Ketchikan; Tongass School of the Arts and Sciences, Ketchikan; Point Higgins School, Ketchikan; Juneau Public Library; Riverbend Elementary, Juneau; Gastineau Elementary, Juneau.

ANCHORAGE: ReadAlaska Book & Craft Fair, Anchorage Museum; Police Navidad, Dena’ina Convention Center; Ocean View Elementary; Bear Valley Elementary; Aurora Elementary; Northern Lights Elementary, Bowman Elementary.

MAT-SU VALLEY: Shaw Elementary, Wasilla; Tanaina Elementary, Wasilla; Fred & Sara Machetanz Elementary, Wasilla

FAIRBANKS / NORTH POLE: Gulliver’s Books, Fairbanks; Santa Claus House, North Pole; Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop, Fairbanks; Salcha School, Salcha; Weller Elementary, Fairbanks; Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Library, Fairbanks; Barnes & Noble, Fairbanks; Cold Spot Feeds, Fairbanks.

OREGON: Boeckman Elementary, Wilsonville; Watts Elementary, Scappoose.

And more good news: I’ve recently learned that a favorite book of mine, GROUCHO’S EYEBROWS, has been named for the Alaska Battle of the Books 2012-13 reading list! That also means more opportunities to get out there and visit students next year. Start planning and let me know if you’d like me to visit your school or local library. Click on the School Visits tab for more info.

Groucho's Eyebrows by a Watts Elementary artist!

A flurry of readings ahead!

ReadAlaska and Police Navidad on the horizon!

It seems I’ve just returned from Southeast, and I’m packing again to head back north. This time, I’ll be traveling to Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, North Pole, and as far as little Salcha, Alaska.

First on the schedule is the annual READALASKA BOOK & CRAFT FAIR, a Thanksgiving holiday weekend tradition held at the Anchorage Museum for many years. On Nov. 25, 26, and 27, you’ll find me signing and selling my books at the Tricia Brown Books table upstairs in the atrium.

I’ll be joined by four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King, who’s selling his newly released second edition of Cold Hands, Warm Heart, a wonderful collection of his adventures on the trail (which I edited, by the way). He’s added three new stories to this expanded edition, along with dozens of new photos.

Another big event scheduled for Sat., Nov. 26, is POLICE NAVIDAD, a free, family-oriented gathering at Anchorage’s Dena’ina Center on 7th. There’s Breakfast with Santa, entertainment, games, food, and lots of kid activities. Jeff King and I will break away from ReadAlaska for a reading at Police Navidad. We’ll be on stage from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., so please make it a date!

Jeff and I also will be reading later that day (at 1 p.m.) at the Anchorage Museum auditorium. The Museum Gift Shop is hosting our reading and will supply lots of books for the signing that follows immediately after the reading.

In the weeks that follow, I’ll be visiting schools and libraries all along the railbelt. Click on “The Places I’m Headed” to see where we might be able to meet each other during my winter book tour! See you soon!

From Musher's Night Before Christmas; illustrated by Debra Dubac

Jeff King's new book!

Designed by Patrick McDonegal, Juneau Public Libraries

I’m traveling to Ketchikan, Prince of Wales Island, and onward to Juneau in the coming weeks, with a full schedule that includes visits to a dozen schools and libraries. I’m sure looking forward to it! Check “The Places I’m Headed” to see if our paths might cross. I had to show off this promotional poster for our event at the Juneau Library Public – Downtown. I love it. And, this is a rare opportunity to meet both the author and illustrator (Jim Fowler) of Patsy Ann of Alaska.

Next month, I’ll be touring schools, libraries, and bookstores in Anchorage, the Valley, Fairbanks, and North Pole. And let’s not forget ReadAlaska Book & Craft Fair at the Anchorage Museum—it’s during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Hope to see your there, too. Stay tuned!

Sled dogs to the rescue!

Rudolph’s nose light is worn out, and Nome, Alaska, the last stop on Santa’s round-the-world delivery run, is socked in with a bad snowstorm.

Learning about Alaska at Gold Beach, Oregon

Ready to Visit YOUR School or Library

This summer, I’ve been busy working on some book editing projects for a couple of publishers, but I’m also working on new books for coming seasons.

I’m excited about three fresh-off-the-presses books to share, and I’d love to visit your favorite bookstore, school, or library for a reading or signing. I have multi-media presentations for each of these books:

The World-Famous Alaska Highway: A Guide to the ALCAN and Other Wilderness Roads of the North (Fulcrum Publishing, 2011). For those of you who are planning a trip up the Alaska Highway this summer, it’s not too late to pick up the 4th edition. And now is the time to begin your planning for a trip in 2012.

Patsy Ann of Alaska: The True Story of a Dog (Sasquatch Books, 2011). This is a fun read-to-me book for pre-K to 2nd- or 3rd-graders. It’s a wonderful tale of a dog that belonged to a whole community in Depression-era Juneau.

Musher’s Night Before Christmas (Pelican Publishing, 2011). I’m setting up Fall visits now all over the country for this new version of an old classic.

So drop me a line and let me know when you’d like me to come. Things are shaping up now for September through December! Write me at triciabrown49@hotmail.com to set up a visit!

Illustrated by Jim Fowler

We just got some good news on this brand-new book! The Alaska Association of School Librarians has selected Patsy Ann of Alaska as a Battle of the Books choice for K-2 readers in the 2011-12 school year. If you want a head start on your reading, it should be in bookstores in about another month, and it’s available for pre-order today, so you can reserve a copy now.

Also, do contact me if you’d like me to visit your school or library, please! I’d be happy to share this or any other of my children’s books with your students. Just drop me a line at triciabrown49@hotmail.com.

I got another good report along with that news of Patsy Ann. One of my other kid books, The Itchy Little Musk Ox, was picked as a Battle of the Books alternate! I’m always happy to hear from teachers, parents, and grandparents, who report how often they’ve read the story with their favorite children. That one was beautifully illustrated by Debra Dubac of Anchorage.

North Pole, Alaska

HELLO,

SANTA CLAUS

HOUSE!

Last week I had a great time visiting three elementary schools in the Fairbanks/North Pole area, and read Alaskan Night Before Christmas to more than a thousand children during three busy days. The kids needed little prodding to get them into the spirit of the season, and a few assemblies burst into “Jingle Bells” at the end of my presentation. What a fun time!

On Tuesday afternoon, I stopped by Santa Claus House, where I bought a few special gifts for the family, and paused for a photo with Santa himself. While the two of us smiled for the camera, the big guy was talking through his teeth, asking about my parka and saying his wife would be needing a new one in about a year. “It’s a Laura Wright Parky,” I answered, and told him how and where to get one for his lady. I get more comments on that coat! And having kids mistake me as Mrs. Santa is a treat, too. But sometimes it backfires.

On this trip to Fairbanks, I joined my sister when she bought her Christmas tree. We were leaving Alaska Feed as a father and son were coming in. The dad had already entered the store when the little boy looked up at me in my parka and said in a hushed voice, “Mrs. Santa!” Rather than answering, “No, no, that’s not me!”, I just asked, “Have you been good?” Instantly, I wished I hadn’t. The boy’s smile had disappeared and his eyes dropped to the floor. (“Oh, no!” I thought. “Why did I say anything?”) And then the tender-hearted child was gone inside the store. I wish I could have told him that I know he’s a good boy, because only a good boy would have responded that way. But my opportunity had passed.

I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas, surrounded by family and thankful for the best Christmas gift ever: God’s son come in the flesh.

Coco, not Kotzebue

-20 IN FAIRBANKS

But the temps didn’t seem to both Coco at all. She and her handler Opal Welton came over to my sister’s place for a visit, and we took turns taking pictures, of course! Coco started digging in the snow and snacked on some of that tasty grass.

The experience turned bizarre and wonderful when Coco came into the house for a walkabout. Opal said just make sure she doesn’t see any mirrors or her window reflection, or Coco’s natural curiosity might get a little too aggressive. Reindeer ankles make a fascinating clicking sound with each step. I’ve heard that those who’ve been fortunate to witness a caribou migration are blown away by the sound. We just sang, “Up on the house top, click-click-click!”

Winter guest