Children’s Picture Books
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Antler Bear Canoe
By Betsy Bowen, local author and artist
This is our favorite family book from canoe country.
Shingebiss: An Ojibwe Legend
By Nancy Van Laan, illustrated by Betsy Bowen
A Wild Neighborhood
By John Henricksson, illustrated by Betsy Bowen
Short stories written and illustrated by local authors about the animals of canoe country.
Fearless John
By Kelly Rauzi, illustrated by; Mila Horak
This story, by local authors is about the origin of the Beargrease sled dog marathon that crosses the Gunflint Trail every winter.
Canoeing with the Cree
By Eric Sevareid
This is a classic canoe adventure story.
Tales from Jackpine Bob
By Bob Cary
These stories are entertaining for all ages.
Root Beer Lady
By Helen Hoover, illustrated by her husband Adrian.
The story of Dorothy Molter, one of the last people to live on Knife River in the BWCAW
The Gift of the Deer and The Long Shadowed Forest
By Helen Hoover, illustrated by her husband Adrian.
Helen Hoover tells the story of her family living on Gunflint Lake without electricity, phone, or a car.
Intermediate Older Kids Books
Broken Blade and Wintering
By Will Durbin
Hatchet
By Gary Paulsen
These three historical fiction stories are set in the area.
Adult Books
A Paddler’s Guide to Quetico Provincial Park
By Robert Beymer
The Quetico is the Canadian side of the BWCA.
Magic on the Rocks: Canoe Country Pictographs
By Michael Furtman
An interesting story of the pictographs of the area.
Listening Point, Of Time and Place, Reflections of the North Country, Open Horizons, Runes of the North, The Singing Wilderness and The Lonely Land
By Sigurd Olson
These classics have just been re-released in paperback. Sigurd Olson, of Ely, was a solid advocate for the BWCA.
The Wolf, The Ecology and Behavior
of an Endangered Species
By L. David Mech
Mech is the local wolf expert.
Woman of the Boundary Waters and Gunflint Reflections on the Trail
By Justine Kerfoot
Justine lived in the BWCA and ran Gunflint Lodge for 51 years. Her reflections are fascinating.
A Life in Two Worlds
By Betty Powell Skoog with Justine Kerfoot
An informal history of the families and individuals that helped shape the Gunflint Trail, BWCA and Quetico in the early days
Guide Books
The Pederson guide books
Quality books used for identifying trees, flowers, insects, birds, scat,
tracks, mushrooms, mammals, etc…
Canoe Country Camping
By Michael Furtman
Specific tips for BWCA camping.
Canoe Country Wildlife, Canoe Country Flora
By Mark Stensaas
These are great BWCA guide books for both children and adults.
Curious Visitor’s Guide to the Wildlife
of the North Woods
By Don Grossnickle and Mark Crawford
The best book on the flora and fauna of Canoe Country. This book is a must for parents, educators and curious folks.
Be Expert with Map and Compass
By Bjorn Kjellstrom
This is it. THE book to teach you how to read a map and compass.
A Boundary Waters Fishing Guide
By Michael Furtman
This small book is a good one to take with you if you plan to fish.
The Back-Country Kitchen, Camp Cooking for Canoeists, Hikers, and Anglers, The Seasonal Cabin Cookbook and The Joy of Blueberries
By Teresa Marrone
