On December 15, more than 100 copies of a newly published local book, “A Children’s History of Grand Marais, Minnesota: Ice Cream & Fish,” written and illustrated by Cook County children, will be donated to four Cook County organizations as fundraising incentives. Each will receive 32 free copies of the softcover, full-color book created by youth enrolled in Minnesota Children’s Press’ August Pandemic Publishing Project Outdoor Book Camp and the Cook County YMCA day camp. Minnesota Children’s Press (www.minnchildpress.org) is donating one book for each of 32 years of sobriety of its publisher, Anne Brataas, who celebrates her sober birthday on December 15.
The plan is for each organization to sell or give away the books in exchange for a free-will donation, with each organization using 100 percent of proceeds for funding local needs of their choosing.
Anne explains it this way: “Local organizations know what their clients and customers need most, and this is a simple, direct way to help raise money to try to meet needs at such a challenging time. For me, going into alcohol treatment in the dark of December 32 years ago was a challenging time, so if a few pop-up book fundraisers can lighten the way and lift some spirits now, what a wonderful way to honor the work of children and all who contributed to this book and the Grand Marais community.”
The donated books are gratitude offerings for the following organizations’ early support of Minnesota Children’s Press and will be available for COVID-19- safe pickup and donation at: Cook County YMCA, Drury Lane Books, Minnesota Children’s Press front porch, 421 West First Street, Grand Marais, for donations intended for Cook County History Museum and Grand Marais Library. The mission of Minnesota Children’s Press is to help rural children author, illustrate, publish and sell books they create to fund civic causes.
Two organizations— the Cook County History Museum and Drury Lane Books––also have memorial significance. The late Bob Pratt and Joan Drury were tireless and enthusiastic advocates of young children developing skills in historical research and storycraft. This fundraiser aims to celebrate their generous spirits.
Contact: Anne Brataas, 218-387-5666, cell or text; email anne@ minnchildpress.org
A generous grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation helped fund Minnesota Children’s Press’ summer Story Scouts Outdoor Book Camps to mentor children in research, interview techniques, writing, editing and illustration.
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