Storyteller's Journey

Animals of Alaska

Since embarking on my storyteller's journey I've learned what most inspires me is an interesting setting, and the creatures that reside there. Alaska was extraordinary.

By the end of our 2017 trip to Alaska, and Denali National Park in particular, I knew that one day we'd create a children's book inspired by the park and its beautiful animals. That book will soon be published!

During our time in Alaska we took a bus tour deep into the Denali National Park. Our guide told us that she'd not led a more successful tour in many years; we saw so many animals, some of them are rarely seen.

The Willow Ptarmigan is the state bird of Alaska. We saw several near our cabin on Tonglen Lake, outside the park. These birds, like the Snowshoe Hare above, turn white in winter.

This Caribou created a lovely photograph against the snowy hillside. Michael (my artist/husband) has thoroughly enjoyed using oil paints to compose our illustrations.

By far the most thrilling thing we saw were these Dall Sheep. It's not easy to capture a photo of the elusive creatures, but as I mentioned above, we were extremely lucky on our tour through Denali National Park. This species of sheep is a big reason that the park was established in 1917. The naturalist Charles Sheldon, was so taken with them that he lobbied Congress to establish Mt. McKinley National Park. (Now Denali.)

That bit of history, as well as the amazing animals of Alaska, is what inspired the story for our next Lindstrom Wintertime Tale set in 1927. 
(All photographs copyrighted by Victoria Lindstrom or Michael Lindstrom.)

Check in here on Writ of Whimsy for more details soon!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Lollapalooza - (n.)
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person or event; an exceptional example or instance.
Example: The charitable response to the crisis was a true lollapalooza of generosity.

Bibliophile's Corner

Dancing Hands
How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln
by Margarita Engle
and Rafael Lopez

Flap Copy Description:
As a little girl, Teresa Carreno loved to let her hands dance across the beautiful keys of the piano. If she felt sad, music cheered her, and when she was happy, the piano helped her share that joy. Soon she was writing her own songs and performing in grand cathedrals.
Then a revolution in Venezuela drove her family to flee to the United States. Teresa felt lonely in this unfamiliar place, where few of the people she met spoke Spanish. Worst of all, there was fighting in her new home, too - a Civil War.
Still, Teresa kept playing, and soon she grew famous as the talented Piano Girl who could play anything from a folk song to a sonata. So famous, in fact, that President Abraham Lincoln wanted her to play at the White House! Yet with the country torn apart by war, could Teresa's music bring comfort to those who needed it most?

My Thoughts:
This beautiful picture book is the winner of the Pura Belpre Award - and no wonder: Margarita Engle's text tells the inspirational true story about a determined young Latino girl, and the book is wonderfully illustrated by Rafael Lopez. I found the book extraordinary with its setting in both Venezuela and the U.S. during the Civil War, and even including President Abraham Lincoln. I highly recommend Dancing Hands to readers aged four to ten! (Piano teachers would love it too!)

Click here to learn about the award-winning author, Margarita Engle.
Click here to learn about the award-winning illustrator, Rafael Lopez.

Storyteller's Journey

Collaborating during Covid-19

For the past two months I've been staying at home like most of my fellow Americans. During this time of Covid-19 I've attempted to see silver linings whenever, and wherever, I can.

One big silver lining has been the extra time my artist-husband, Michael, and I've had to collaborate on our next illustrated children's book. While his day job still keeps him busy (he's considered an essential worker), our weekends have offered much more time at home together; prior to the pandemic he would have been out and about painting plein air landscape scenes on Saturdays and/or Sundays.

Here, he's painting a scene of the Fairbanks Train Station in 1927. It's part of a story that was inspired by our trip to Alaska in 2017. While I won't reveal any more details regarding the book right now, we'll have a cover reveal next month, including the title and an illuminating synopsis of the new Lindstrom Wintertime Tale!
I'm so incredibly thankful that Michael has agreed to be the illustrator for this collection of our children's books. The illustrations are nearly complete!

Have you discovered any silver linings during your time of isolation?

Whimsical Word of the Week

Holus-bolus - (adv.)
all at once; altogether.
Example: The residents of the community seemed to contract the virus in an almost holus-bolus fashion.

Bibliophile's Corner

Echo Mountain
by Lauren Wolk

Flap Copy Description:
When the Great Depression takes almost everything they own, Ellie's family is forced to leave their home in town and start over in the untamed forests of nearby Echo Mountain. Ellie has found a welcome freedom, and a love of the natural world, in her new life on the mountain. But there is little joy, even for Ellie, as her family struggles with the aftermath of an accident that has left her father in a coma. An accident unfairly blamed on Ellie.
Determined to help her father, Ellie will make her way to the top of the mountain in search of the healing secrets of a woman known only as "the hag." But the hag, and the mountain, still have many untold stories left to reveal and, with them, a fresh chance at happiness.

My Thoughts:
Since I'm a fan of Lauren Wolk's previous novels for young readers (Wolf Hollow and Beyond the Bright Sea), when I learned of her recent release - Echo Mountain - I couldn't wait to purchase a copy. I wasn't disappointed! Ms. Wolk's characters are, once again, multi-faceted, flawed, and unforgettable. Her plot is woven in an unpredictable pattern that is both entertaining and satisfying. The rural mountain is a remarkable setting for her extraordinary tale of courage, healing, and restoration. I highly recommend Echo Mountain to readers aged eight to twelve, & to anyone who enjoys a good read set in the natural world.

Click here to learn about the author, Lauren Wolk.

Storyteller's Journey

Flowers as our Friends

"The earth laughs in flowers."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends." Okakura Kakuzo

"Where flowers bloom, so does hope."
Lady Bird Johnson



In the midst of social distancing this spring, I've found joy and comfort spending time in my garden. While I always enjoy my garden, my flowers seem to mean more to me during this Covid-19 Pandemic: They seem to offer hope and inspiration on my storyteller's journey.

HAPPY MAY DAY!