ONE SUMMER UP NORTH

A double-page spread depicts an interracial family in a station wagon, small in scale against the vastness of the surrounding forest. (One parent has brown skin and straight, black hair while the other parent presents White; the child has straight, black hair and light-brown skin.) A canoe sits atop the vehicle, a pop of red against the greenery. The page turn takes the passengers further down a dirt road. A sign declares the land the B.W.C.A Wilderness of the Superior National Forest. On the next page, the family of three—wearing life jackets and with hiking packs heaped around—is in the canoe, rowing past lily pads and into a lake. Their adventure continues as they portage their canoe and find a campsite before rain and night fall. For a few days, the family continues their excursion—tender moments aplenty—until finally changing course to go back the way they came. Though the outdoor setting and story will have wide appeal, Owens’ attention to detail adds a distinctly Minnesotan flair. In particular, the careful inclusion of local flora and fauna—such as blueberries, birch trees, bald eagles, and moose—suggests firsthand experience. The wordless text evokes the peaceful quiet of being outdoors, culminating in a particularly beautiful spread of a starry sky. The illustrations, rich with textured lines and a distinctive color palette, effectively capture the majestic scenery. Double-page spreads with landscape orientation heighten the sense of distance traveled.

A trip worth taking.