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Finding Alaska: The Life and Art of Shannon Cartwright
Bears breaking into your cabin. Washing your hair in a cold creek. No TV or computers. And using an outhouse at -40F. Nobody said life in the Alaska wilderness is easy but that's how Shannon Cartwright has become one of Alaska's most popular artists-- her simple rural lifestyle gives her time to discover what makes Alaska special. Finding Alaska brings her personal story to light and contains a selection of artwork from each of her 23 books published to date. There also is a selection of her earliest unpublished artwork. And, for the first time, she shares her story of moving to Alaska as a young woman in search of her future and what she discovered along the way. Whether you have been actively collecting her work or just discovering her for the first time, Finding Alaska is sure to inspire you to visit Alaska.
- GenresNonfiction
80 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2009
6 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 10, 2023
Enjoyable read about Shannon Cartwright's personal story about her subsistence lifestyle in rural Alaska while illustrating 23 childrens books. Included are many of her illustrations, commentaries on "how each book came to be" and photos of her lifestyle. I was fortunate enough to see her outside our train as we passed by her 'stop' along the Anchorage to Fairbanks run - the train stops regularly to bring her supplies, pick up books, etc. Such a rugged individual with a unique artistic talent to bring Alaskan traditions to life for children via watercolor. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
June 30, 2023
This is more of a book for a teenager or adults who loves art & children books, Shannon Cartwright’s books specifically, and/or Alaska. My kids weren’t super interested at their current ages, but I LOVED it. The history behind her life, her inspiration behind her books & illustrations, all of it. So fascinating, interesting, and inspiring. Highly recommend.
March 25, 2023
Easy quick read. I was on an Alaska tour and the author-illustrator dropped off books on the train ride from Healy to Talkeetna.
I admire her perseverance and ability to be so creative in such a climate.
I admire her perseverance and ability to be so creative in such a climate.
August 11, 2021
A little biography, a little art of illustrating. She creates kid's books. I loved this, which I read after visiting Alaska and passing her house, on the train. Quick, easy, colorful read.
September 3, 2018
During my first trip to Alaska and the Yukon I wanted to find a book that would pictorially represent the essence of Alaska. Little did I know that I would be drawn to an autobiography about an illustrator of children's books. The illustrations were charming and joyful and showed much of the nature I associated with my vacation. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Shannon Cartwright was a native Michigander like myself. She tells of her eventual move to Alaska and how she embraced its beauty and wilderness. There is a great sampling of illustrations from her various children's books. But you also learn what it is like to live in this majestic state.
November 24, 2009
I love Shannon Cartwright books and so it was fun to read about her life and about each of the books she has done.
February 23, 2011
Awful I just hate reading other BORING peoples life I mean diary of a wimpy kid was better because he ( meaning the author ) wanted it to be funny and it had a point.
NEVER FINISHED.
NEVER FINISHED.
January 25, 2016
Wasn't quite as good as the hype but still a good read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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