Come and join me while I talk a bit about David Mulford’s Crab Lake children’s book series. I’ve been fortunate to receive two of Mr. Mulford’s books regarding Crab Lake from Ashlie Pollard with Brown Books Publishing (thank you, Ashlie!) to review and discuss!
The books:
First up is ‘Jeannie’s Crab Lake Christmas,’ which introduces the reader to Crab Lake in Wisconsin. Jeannie and her family head to Crab Lake each year, but this was the first year she made it there during Christmas! The animals at Crab Lake, including deer, beavers, otters, and even bears are all ecstatic that Jeannie is there!
She quickly discovers that the animals can TALK! Imagine that! The animals show Jeannie all around their home and tell her what they do when she’s away and how much they look forward to her visits. The animals and Jeannie promise to always keep in touch, and Jeannie makes sure to always visit during the holidays.
The book is full of adventure, fun, and opportunities to learn and teach as well! Definitely a great book to go and check out if you have any kiddos in your life who love Christmas and animals!
Then I read ‘Mountain Lion at Crab Lake,’ and like re-visiting an old friend, just like Jeannie, the animals at Crab Lake come to life for another fabulous adventure! But this time, everyone is pretty terrified as a newcomer has shown up in town; a mountain lion is in town and as we all know, that is usually NOT so good for local wildlife, as they could be dinner!
The animals quickly let Jeannie know about the newcomer and try to determine how best to approach him and make sure he’s not there to harm anyone! They decide to invite him out for a meeting! The whole forest practically shows up, with Jeannie advocating for her animal friends.
Mr. Mountain Lion’s tale of losing his family and having to leave his home is not your typical mountain lion’s background! I thoroughly enjoyed how Mr. Mulford painted this character as a sweet and gentle soul who quickly fits in with the forest animals, and Crab Lake is certainly big enough for them all, including Mr. Mountain Lion!
This is another captivating story that all kids will enjoy, and I’m thrilled to have! I’ve read it a few times to my boys! They love the illustrations within too!
Check it out on the Crab Lake Books website if you’re interested in this adorable series. You may notice that there is a third installment out there, ‘Jeannie’s Crab Lake Winter Tales,’ which I haven’t read, but if it’s anything like the other two, I’m sure it’s a winner!
After I read (and re-read as they’re so dang cute!) these books, I reached out to Ashlie to see if I could ask Mr. Mulford a few questions, and he obliged!
Here is our Q&A!
Me: How did your family and friends react to your book series when you first came up with the idea? I’ve been fortunate to read ‘Jeannie’s Crab Lake Christmas,’ and your most recent release, ‘Mountain Lion at Crab Lake.’ (These books are SO fun – I’m going to have to go out and buy ‘Jeannie’s Crab Lake Winter Tales!’)
Mr. Mulford: My family and friends reacted positively to each story over the long period of 29 years that I wrote the stories. In fact, it was family members who pushed me to begin publishing the stories.
Me: You and your wife, Jeannie, (the main character in your stories) head to WI in real life as often as possible. Is Crab Lake a place that is in one of your families? Did you just happen upon it once upon a time?
Mr. Mulford: I first visited Crab Lake, near Manitowish Waters, WI on a Camp Manitowish canoe trip in 1950 at age 13. I thought Crab Lake was the most beautiful lake of all the lakes I had ever seen and still feel that way.
Me: What is your favourite quote? Why?
Mr. Mulford: “Well… I am a vegan. I do not kill because I do not eat meat… and I am lactose intolerant. My brothers call me Old Softie.
“What? …. What? ……” Came the high-pitched voice of Pudgey Bear. “Vegan? Can you believe it? Lactose intolerant? Old Softie?” And Pudgey began to dance!
Quote from the Mountain Lion at Crab Lake
Me: Being a former U.S. Ambassador, you’ve probably seen tons of interesting places throughout the years; are you able to pick a favourite?
Mr. Mulford: My favourite place is wherever Jeannie is.
Me: These books are so much fun; I love the camaraderie among all of the woodland creatures! How did you come up with this story-line?
Mr. Mulford: We always thought animals could talk so it seemed natural that Pudgey Bear should speak to Jeannie that cold winter night.
Me: How long, from beginning to end, did it take you to get the ball rolling on your books and begin to get them written and published? Do you have any more planned for release regarding Crab Lake?
Mr. Mulford: Once I had the idea I wrote one story each of 29 years, and gave each story to Jeannie as a gift at Christmas. Then, in 2014, I set about getting the first story published. So far, 7 of the 29 have been published in 3 separate books.
Me: What about other types of books? Will you be writing anything about what it was like to be a U.S. Ambassador or your current living space, Arizona? The differences between the two locales in the U.S. would be incredible!
Mr. Mulford: I have written 3 other books, 2 on Zambia’s transition to independence in Central Africa in 1964. My third book is a memoir of my long and diverse career around the world, published in 2014 under the title of ‘Packing for India: A Life of Action in International Finance and Diplomacy’.
Click here for one of the books on Zambia and here for the other; and click here for Packing for India.
Me: What are you looking to accomplish in say, the next five years?
Mr. Mulford: Keep learning, keep writing, keep fit.
Me: What wisdom would you like to impart to the young generation of readers your books are aimed towards as they continue to grow?
Mr. Mulford: Study history, work to be creative and don’t be afraid of anything.
Me: What is your favourite thing to do in your spare time, if you have any?
Mr. Mulford: Be with Jeannie, anywhere.
Me: What influenced your decision to choose the career path that you did?
Mr. Mulford: If you read Packing for India you will see that the exciting thing is having various career paths.
Me: What would you say to your younger self if you could go back? Any advice or helpful tips?
Mr. Mulford: I don’t go back, except for enjoying pleasurable memories.
Have you read any cute stories like this before? Think you’ll check these out? Let me know in a comment if you don’t mind!
I’ve reviewed quite a few kids books now if you’re curious. There’s two reviews on this post here about manners, and in addition, I also reviewed the majority of the Doggy Defenders series by National Geographic (who doesn’t love Nat GEO!?) Plus, this adorable book about sisters, Livi & Grace.
Love ya,
Kelly Ann
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I wish I’d read these books as a kid!!