Big Alaska: Journey Across America's Most Amazing State

by Debbie S. Miller

Come soar across Alaska's extraordinary landscape and see its wonders through the eyes of our national emblem, the bald eagle. Alaska is our biggest state, but it is also one of the least populated, making it an enormous span of natural wonders and astonishing wilderness. This unique place is home to the tallest mountain, the most active volcanoes, and the largest land mammals in North America. See hundred-pound salmon, two-ton walruses, and thundering herds of caribou. Take wing through mountains covered with glaciers, fly under the cover of lush rain forests, and circle over barren Arctic tundras.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 21, 2006

About the author

Debbie S Miller has lived in Alaska for 40 years, and has developed a passion for writing nature books about the extraordinary wilderness and wildlife that surround our home near Fairbanks. When she looks out my office window, she may see a moose walking by, chickadees or gray jays at the bird feeder, or a fox on the prowl.

During the early years, Debbie taught school in Arctic Village, a small village in the Brooks Range. She learned about the fascinating culture of the Athabaskan Indians, the natural history of the region, and the wonders of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR. For many years Debbie's family explored this incredible place, studied the great caribou herds, and observed wolves, grizzly and polar bears, migratory birds, and other Alaska animals. Their many outdoor adventures and encounters with wildlife inspired her to write nature books for children and adults.

Debbie works closely with Jon Van Zyle, an outstanding Alaska wildlife artist who has illustrated ten of her children's picture books. Jon has lived in Alaska for 40 years and he has a deep love for the wilderness and wildlife of our state. He turns simple words into captivating paintings that authentically reflect the beauty of Alaska's environment.

Reviews

[Justin]

The big Alaska is about the trek of a Yong eagle.As it travels throw the big great Alaska it gets older and learn about the places that it go's.as it go's throw the big Alaska it learns about the different animals and there habitat.It go's throw all the different regions in the book.At the end it returns to its home land in the southeastern part of Alaska.

I thought the book was kind of good. I liked it because it was very informational.It would be a good book for someone that wants to learn about the different parts of Alaska and about the different animals of Alaska.I enjoyed reading it for the amount of time i was.over all it was a good book.

[superawesomekt · Rating 3 out of 5]

FINALLY a non-fiction book that is not a firehose or brain dump! This book is uniquely constructed to give the scope of Alaska but keeping it appropriate to the audience.

A map shows the reader the journey a Bald Eagle will take through the big state of Alaska: and each place is known for being the "biggest" in some way: big salmon, big gold rush, big volcanoes, etc. It is particularly centered on wildlife, so animal-loving children will especially enjoy this book.

This would be a wonderful book for children getting ready to move or travel to Alaska or to include in a nature or Alaska study unit.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

General overview of some of Alaska's main areas of interest including historical facts from the perspective of a soaring eagle.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bald eagle takes readers on a journey through the most noteworthy sites in Alaska. Along the way, numerous facts about this huge state are related.

I was fixing the record for this book in the library catalog and it sparked my interest enough I took a break to read it. The gorgeous illustrations give a nice little peek into this beautiful place, and I learned several facts about Alaska along the way.

This would be a great picture book resource for classes studying the 50 states, the Gold Rush, the Alaska purchase or biomes.

[Zachary Alcorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it i could do anything it would be to visit Alaska. I think it is such a beautiful state and this book just brings that in to perspective. The pictures were one of the best things because they just bring the words to life.

[LI LIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is knowledgable. it gives us many information about Alaska.Alaska is a big place to travel.This book guide us to travel in Alaska.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with good information about different areas of the state.