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C.W. Gusewelle's new book, The Cabin - Away from it All, was published in time for Christmas this year. The author was good enough to let me do the cover and a few inside illustrations. From the publisher's description:

Join C.W. Gusewelle as he opens his cabin door -- and his heart -- to the reader in this moving collection of columns from his hideaway in the Missouri's Ozarks.

The cabin's influence on Gusewelle, columnist with The Kansas City Star, cannot be overstated.  In his 20s, after returning from the military, Gusewelle spent a solitary winter there, working to grow his skills as a writer. 

Part of each day he spent at the typewriter, part cutting stove wood to keep warm, and part hunting game for food.

Decades later, it remains his refuge.

Inside these pages are countless memories of family, friends, creatures great and small, and the inspiring message of man's necessary alliance with nature.

It's encouraging to hear the response to "The Secret of St. Nicholas" as I talk with its author, Ellen Nibali, and people who have read it around the country. The story is one that's accessible to young and old alike....based around a theme of doing good deeds in secret. The Nicholas in the story doesn't set out to be a hero, but his generosity changes the world around him nonetheless. – lec

Just looking out on the street at the comings and goings. The Secret of St. Nicholas is now available at www.fairlandbooks.com. It's being read to children all around the country right now, and we hope the Christmas season will bring continued interest.

The children I've read the book with have offered many time periods when they believed St. Nicholas was young, from the 11th century to the early 20th century. They have also guessed his homeland as England, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Sweden.....even New York City!

So Ellen Nibali's book has served to correct the record, at least for the scores of children who have viewed my presentations of the book. They offer anticipated endings, too, which shows me the story is keeping them engaged all the way through.

While working on books of a much more cheerful nature, I've also worked out a few illustrations to go with a condensed version of "Frankenstein." This one had to capture a lot of things happening all at once.

The natural settings of the books I'm engaged in right now are a welcome change. They feature jumping deer, deep woods and mountains, a remote cabin, blueberries and a turkey gobbler.