New Haiku Book Shares Poetry of the Boundary Waters
The Northland Beckons is a book of poetry and illustrations about the Boundary Waters. Mother-daughter team Sandra and Sofia Hisakuni, the author and illustrator of the book, respectively, invite you to slow down and explore the wonders of nature through the ancient art of haiku. They draw upon their extensive experience paddling and camping through the canoe country of northeastern Minnesota and Canada. Through creative haiku, vibrant illustrations and author commentary, readers travel to the BWCA and Quetico.
Sofia’s illustrations are authentic and heartwarming. A smiling frog never looked so good, for example. Sofia told Paddle and Portage that she loves the solitude of the Boundary Waters. She’s made numerous trips to the canoe-country wilderness in recent years. During one memorable moment, Sofia became stuck in mud up to her knees on a portage. Her mother had to pull her out, she said, and it was no small task given the large portage pack Sofia had on her shoulders at the time.
Sandra has been visiting the BWCA for many years. This summer she will be working at the Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center at the end of the Gunflint Trail. Her use of poetry to describe the BWCA is captivating, including a scene where the family saw some otters on their canoe trip.
Life jacket and boots
Lying on my back I float
Like my friend otter
It is a very good day indeed to see otters playing in the water. Northland shorelines are usually rocky and deep, so I swim in my life jacket and boots. I imagine this is how an otter feels as it swirls and twirls in the water, feet poking up, nose twitching in the bright sunshine.
Paddle and Portage’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Sandra and Sofia about their new book. Audio below. Click here for a video link to the conversation.
Click here for more on the book and to order a copy.