‘The Big Island’ book cover is shown. The work, from 1968, is the subject of the next U.P. Notable Book event. celebrated artist John Schoenherr illustrated the book. His son Ian will be featured at the event, which starts at 7 p.m. on May 11. (Courtesy image)

By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — A book first published in 1968 is the focus of the next U.P. Notable Book List virtual event.

The Crystal Falls Community District Library. partnering with the U.P. Publishers and Authors Association, said the May 11 event will feature Ian Schoenherr, whose father, John Schoenherr (1935 – 2010), illustrated “The Big Island: A Story of Isle Royale” by Julian May. The picture book about wildlife on Isle Royale is available again thanks to the archivists at the University of Minnesota Press.

The event will start at 7 p.m. Eastern time via Zoon. Participants are asked to contact Evelyn Gathu in advance at egathu@crystalfallslibrary.org or 906-875-3344. The UPPAA suggests participants borrow a copy of the book from a local library or purchase from a local bookseller in advance to get the most out of these events.

John Schoenherr won the 1988 Caldecott Medal for U.S. children’s book illustration, recognizing “Owl Moon” by Jane Yolen, which recounts the story of the first time a father takes his youngest child on a traditional outing to spot an owl, the UPPAA said.

He was posthumously inducted by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2015. Schoenherr may be known best as the original illustrator of the dust jacket art of “Dune,” a 1965 science fiction novel by Frank Herbert that inaugurated a book series and media franchise. In John Schoenherr’s obituary in The New York Times, it was noted that he was the first artist to depict the “Dune” stories “with its vast windswept deserts and huge menacing sandworms.”

The obituary read, “It is no small thing to make a worm look terrifying. Mr. Schoenherr did so evocatively, rendering Mr. Herbert’s sand creature as a rearing, pipelike organism whose jagged, gaping maw revealed a terrible blackness within.”

He had previously illustrated the serializations of the novel in “Analog,” an endeavor that secured him a 1965 Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist.

John Schoenherr also was a wildlife artist and children’s book illustrator, with over 40 books to his credit, the UPPAA said. Most of his black-and-white illustration work used the scratchboard technique, and he was long known as the only commercial artist who specialized in it. His paintings were often egg tempera, another unusual medium. John Schoenherr also completed paintings for NASA.

The UPPAA said that his knowledge of zoology was useful in creating alien creatures. He was a member of the American Society of Mammalogists, the Society of Animal Artists and the Society of Illustrators.

In the U.P. Book Review, Hannah Brinza said “The Big Island” is a “timeless tale continues to educate and inspire young minds today.”

Isle Royale is considered one of the most remote national parks, located in Lake Superior. The book, she said, tells the story of Isle Royale’s most popular four-legged creatures, the moose and the wolves.

“The Big Island is a classic read for any budding young nature enthusiast and explores the concept of a balanced ecosystem,” Brinza said. “With an effective blend of local history and a love of nature, Julian May writes about how the moose and wolves came to live on the island. She also tells about how people first came to the island and about the time period that Isle Royale became a national park.”

Brinza said the book delves into the park rangers’ methods of intervention on behalf of the overcrowded and starving moose population and how the best solution was found when wolves arrived on the island naturally to establish a balanced environment. Thus, The Big Island helps readers understand the predator-prey relationship of the moose and wolves of the island and their roles “in the great circle of life,” she said.

“Stunningly realistic illustrations of moose, wolves and other island wildlife cover the pages of this exceptional book,” Brinza said.

The University of Minnesota Press provided a testimonial about the book from the blog “Michigan in Books” that mentions the art as well as the words:

“This wonderful picture book works so well because the striking artwork and the narrative’s simple, well-chosen words perfectly complement each other. The result is a classic children’s introduction to Isle Royale National Park.”

More information about the U.P. Notable Book list, U.P. Book Review, and UPPAA can be found on www.UPNotable.com

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.