Watch “The Big Island: A Story of Isle Royale” with John Schoenherr

First published in 1968, this engrossing and beautiful picture book about wildlife on Isle Royale is available again thanks to the archivists at the University of Minnesota Press.

JOHN SCHOENHERR won the 1988 Caldecott Medal for U.S. children’s book illustration, recognizing Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, which recounts the story of the first time a father takes his youngest child on a traditional outing to spot an owl. He was posthumously inducted by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2015. Schoenherr may be known best as the original illustrator of the dust jacket art of Dune, a 1965 science fiction novel by Frank Herbert that inaugurated a book series and media franchise. He had previously illustrated the serializations of the novel in Analog, an endeavor that secured him a 1965 Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist. Schoenherr was also very well known as a wildlife artist and children’s book illustrator, with over forty books to his credit. Most of his black-and-white illustration work used the scratchboard technique, and he was long known as the only commercial artist who specialized in it. His paintings were often egg tempera, another unusual medium. Schoenherr also completed paintings for NASA. Schoenherr’s knowledge of zoology was very useful in creating alien creatures. He was a member of the American Society of Mammalogists, the Society of Animal Artists, and the Society of Illustrators.

Julian May’s children’s book The Big Island: A Story of Isle Royale was originally published in 1968 but the timeless tale continues to educate and inspire young minds today. Isle Royale is considered one of the most remote National Parks and is located off the coast of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, in the waters of Lake Superior. The book tells the story of Isle Royale’s most popular four-legged creatures, the moose and the wolves. The Big Island is a classic read for any budding young nature enthusiast and explores the concept of a balanced ecosystem. With an effective blend of local history and a love of nature, Julian May writes about how the moose and wolves came to live on the island. She also tells about how people first came to the island and about the time period that Isle Royale became a National Park. The book delves into the park rangers’ various methods of intervention on behalf of the overcrowded and starving moose population. It also tells how the best solution was found when wolves arrived on the island naturally to establish a balanced environment. The Big Island provides readers of all ages some valuable insight into the predator-prey relationship of the moose and wolves of the island and their roles in the great circle of life. Stunningly realistic illustrations of moose, wolves, and other island wildlife cover the pages of this exceptional book”

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