Fabulous story and good illustrations. ( )

Wonderful true story by naturalist John Muir about an experience he had with Stickeen, a dog he knew briefly. Initially, Mr. Muir thought the dog sort of stand-offish, but the dog showed lots of heart and courage. ( )

This edition, retold by Donell Rubay and illustrated by Christopher Canyon, was thrilling and beautiful and heartwarming and heartwrenching. A picture book for ages 4-12, published in 1998, sometimes shelved in non-fiction because the original story is indeed an episode from the life of Muir. Thorough author's note. ( )

Non-Fiction: Picture Book
Muir, John Stickeen: John Muir and the Brave Little Dog. Illust. by Christopher Canyon. Dawn Publications, 1998. Unp. Intermediate-Adult
Heartwarming true story of Stickeen, a brave dog who went on glacier exploration adventure with John Muir in Glacier Bay in the 1880’s and courageously overcame the dangerous situation they found themselves in. Simplified and retold for children using much of Muir’s original first person descriptive wording. Theme is friendship. Beautiful, impressionistic paintings accompany text.
AK: Glacier, Glacier Bay, SE Alaska
Activities: Ask children if they have ever been up close to a glacier? What was it like? ( )