Tales Of Connecticut, From A To Z

DANBURY — What do the American Robin, Phineas T. Barnum and wooden nutmeg seeds have in common? They are among the many treasures offered by Connecticut and now collection in a new book that appeals to readers of all ages.

In September, Sleeping Bear Press released N is for Nutmeg: A Connecticut Alphabet, the latest title in the publisher’s best-selling children’s pictorial series “Discover America State by State.”

Author and Wilton resident Elissa Grodin will be at Barnes & Noble Booksellers on Sunday, November 16, at 3 pm. She will be reading from and discussing her book. The store is in Danbury Square on Backus Avenue (telephone 730-2700).

From the daring exploits of Nathan Hale and Knowlton’s Rangers during the early days of our nation to the origins of “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” N is for Nutmeg (ISBN 1-58536-124-0, September 2003; ages 4-10, 40 pages, hardcover, $17.95) offers a guided A to Z tour through our fascinating state. While it will be shelved as a children’s book, adults can just as easily enjoy learning or being reminded of historic elements of Connecticut, its official bird, song and even insect, and other tasty tidbits related to The Nutmeg State.

Author Elissa Grodin’s poems and accompanying informative text celebrate the traditions, locations, natural treasures and famous sons and daughters of Connecticut. After reading Ms Grodin’s poetry and text there’s even “A Quinnehtukqut Quit” in the book’s closing pages. You’ll need to read the book to learn what Quinnehtukqut means.

Artist Maureen Brookfield (how ironic is that for a surname on this project?) completes the book with delicate and evocative watercolors, providing playful color as she takes readers on a visual tour across the state.

Elissa Grodin is an engaging writer who loves to tell the tales of her adopted state. She grew up within a large family in Kansas City, Mo., and was 15 years old when she started to write short stories. While living in London in the late 1970s, she wrote for The Times Literary Supplement and New Statesman.

After moving to New York City she studied at the School of Visual Arts. Mrs Grodin met her husband, the actor Charles Grodin, while interviewing him for American Film magazine. She wrote N is for Nutmeg to introduce even the youngest readers to Connecticut’s history and culture.

Maureen K. Brookfield is known for her delicate, realistic watercolors. She attended Parsons School of Design, The Art Center of Northern New Jersey, and has studied with several nationally known artists. Her work has been widely exhibited and is represented in numerous private collections.

Although she has worked in many mediums, watercolor has become the favorite of Ms Brookfield. A resident of Marshfield, Mass., the illustrator is active in local and regional art associations. She is also the illustrator of E is for Empire: A New York State Alphabet, also published by Sleeping Bear Press.

In 1998 Sleeping Bear Press published The Legend of Sleeping Bear. Not long after, it was designated as the State of Michigan’s Official Children’s Book. Since then Sleeping Bear has launched a thriving children’s series of state alphabet books and award-winning legend series books.

Sleeping Bear has published alphabet books for 33 states (including the Connecticut title). There are also alphabet books following the themes of cowboys, soccer, hockey, national parks, America, Canada, the world, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and counting books for Tennessee and Texas.