One Winter Up North
Who made these tracks? A deer? A hare? A fox? And far off there’s a musher, making tracks with his sled dogs. A wintery adventure that unfolds in pictures, John Owens’s delightful book gives readers a chance to discover—or rediscover—another season full of wonder in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
This is an absolutely gorgeous book. One Winter Up North truly illustrates the joy of winter camping, the comforts of wilderness travel, and the sense of awe this season brings to anyone who embraces it.
Kevin Callan, author of Complete Guide to Winter Camping
In winter the Boundary Waters, way up north in Minnesota, is not the same place you canoed last summer—but still it beckons and welcomes you. Grab a pack, strap on snowshoes, make a path (Oh! they take some getting used to!), and venture out across the frozen lakes and through the snowy woods. The vast wintery world here is so still and quiet, you might think you’re all alone—but no! Who made these tracks? A deer? A hare? A fox? And far off there’s a musher, making tracks with his sled dogs.
It’s a magical place. The bright sun brilliant on the snow, the sparkling silence—wait, is that a wolf calling? Try to answer! And when the dark descends, the stars and pine trees holding up the night, your nose gets cold and it’s back to camp, to your warm winter tent, where Father feeds the stove with wood you gathered, Mother snuggles into her big sleeping bag, and you curl up in the fire’s glow and know that in your dreams and memories you will return again and again to this one winter up north.
A wintery adventure that unfolds in pictures, John Owens’s delightful book gives readers a chance to discover—or rediscover—another season full of wonder in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Cover alt text: Whimsically drawn watercolor depicting a winter scene in the woods; at center a young person in red parka and beanie holds a wooden-framed snowshoe.
Awards
Heartland Booksellers Award — Finalist, picture book category
Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards — Honorable mention, children’s literature category
This is an absolutely gorgeous book. One Winter Up North truly illustrates the joy of winter camping, the comforts of wilderness travel, and the sense of awe this season brings to anyone who embraces it.
Kevin Callan, author of Complete Guide to Winter Camping
One Winter Up North makes me smile all the way through. I can feel the clean fresh whiteness of the snow, the warmth among the family, and the glowing light of the sun. The big open-air silence inhabits the peaceful tone of the illustrations.
Betsy Bowen, artist and illustrator
Captures the simple pleasures and quiet escape of a family's winter camping trip.
Kirkus Reviews
This detailed and loving book makes winter camping look like a blast!
Youth Services Book Review
This wordless picture book introduces new delights on every page; it will ignite the imaginations of young adventurers, reminding them that outdoor treks are possible in all seasons, if you’re prepared.
Foreword
John’s illustrations, page after page, give a dream-like view of what a winter outdoor camping adventure would be like. It reminds seasoned winter trekkers why they love it so much and gives the first-time winter campers a chance to see what it would be like to venture off during the cold season
Explore Magazine
A wordless picture book can convey much through detailed illustrations. John Owens does it right in One Winter Up North, a journey through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in winter.
Pioneer Press
“One Winter Up North” is a wordless picture book by John Owens. Featuring beautiful illustrations that follow a family on a day hike through he BWCA.
WDIO-TV
A new kids book exploring the flora and fauna of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Prairie Public Radio
One Winter Up North provides young readers with a fun winter adventure that they’ll want to take part in, too.
Northern Wilds
Full of smiling faces and bright white vistas, the book is a warm reminder that despite Minnesota's recent branding, you don't have to get all Bold North about outdoor excursions in the snowy season. With proper preparation, winter can be as relaxing as summer.
Duluth News Tribune
A wintery adventure that unfolds in pictures, John Owens’s delightful wordless book gives readers a chance to discover—or rediscover— another season full of wonder in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
The Timberjay
The book is illustrated with pencil and watercolor bringing out the lights and darks and patterns and textures, creating a visually poetic story.
KAXE Radio
Every page on One Winter Up North is covered with ice and snow. Cold rises from the pages.
Bookology
The beauty of the winter wilderness is depicted with lots of white space, blues and greens. The gold of tamaracks and the orange-red of a child’s jacket are lovely punctuations.
Star Tribune
Because there are no words in this tale — it consists only of beautiful, quiet illustrations of a winter exploration, a cabin, winter activities and exploring the woods — it’s perfect for the smallest reader (2- and 3-year-olds) to page through and make up their own story.
Goshen News
Another magical place for a young reader to discover and wonder about, imagine, ask questions, and find within the pages many wintery surprises.
Nancyboflood.com
This wordless, full colour picture book is a literary winter wonderland.
Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal
The markers of the wintry cold fill the pages of John Owens's senses-stirring One Winter Up North, and yet this wordless picture book leaves readers with the impression of engulfing warmth, due to the loving family at its center.
Shelf Awareness
