Nicholas, A Maine Tale

by Peter Arenstam, Karen Busch Holman (Illustrator)

To Nicholas, a small field mouse from Massachusetts, family is everything! A lovely leather journal chronicles all the important events of Nicholas’s family history. When it is destroyed in a flood, Nicholas sets off on a journey in search of his uncle and a copy of the precious journal. He crosses the state of Massachusetts in Book One and his adventures take him on to Maine (Book Two) following a cousin who has taken the copy of the journal with him when he traveled down east.

Nicholas discovers just how large and diverse a state Maine is as he searches for his cousin Francis. Along the way, he’ll learn a great deal about the state—the animals that live there, the geography, industries, and even the state’s history. He’ll make many new friends and perhaps even bump into an old friend on his travels across the great state of Maine.

Book Two in a four-book series about Nicholas’s adventures in the Northeast.

166 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

My unconventional career since graduating from Bates College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy has helped inform my writing life. After college, I learned wooden boat building at the Apprenticeship at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, Maine.
I took care of and sailed Mayflower II, the replica of the historic Pilgrim ship for over twenty years, and have even held roles in feature films and television documentaries related to Mayflower history.
I have designed and built a number of watercraft including a 38’ reproduction 17th century shallop for The Pilgrim John Howland Society.
As Director of Massachusetts Bay Maritime Artisans, at the Jones River Landing in Kingston, Massachusetts, I taught boat building classes for adults and children and organized an annual maritime lecture series. I am now the Executive Director of the Pilgrim John Howland Society, based in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
I have been a frequent lecturer and public speaker on Mayflower and maritime history and visit many schools and libraries throughout the country to talk to children about my work and the craft of writing.
With an MFA in creating writing for children from Simmons University, I am now crafting stories I hope are entertaining and enlightening for readers of all ages.

Reviews

[A.]

It was a cute little book. I guess it would have been better if I would have read the one from MA then read the one from Vt to see what happens next. I read this to the girls at night before going to bed.

[Amy Rhilinger]

Really loving this series. A great book gift for children with ties to New England.

[Amy]

we can't wait for the next in this series!