Kristin Hurlin’s illustrations appear in new book Michigan Fruit
From staff reports
Glen Arbor artist Kristin Hurlin’s illustrations appear in the new children’s book Michigan Fruit: An Artful Coloring & Activity Book (Artful Educators, 2011). Hurlin co-authored the book with Susan Briggs. Michigan Fruit is filled with history, lore, recipes and beautiful pictures to color, including thematic farmscapes of strawberries, cherries, blueberries, apricots, peaches, plums, pears, apples, grapes, favorite fruit recipes, and a map and list of Michigan fruit festivals.
According to the books’ foreword, “Michigan is best known as the home of the auto industry, but it is also one of the major fruit growing states in the nation. Michigan’s “fruit belt” runs along the western side of the lower peninsula near Lake Michigan. Winds from the west create a lake effect climate in this part of Michigan that is very favorable to fruit production. The lake temperature delays the first frost in the fall and also keeps the area cool in the spring, preventing early flowering and frost damage. … Summer is a festive time in Michigan! Farmers sell their fresh fruit at road side stands, farmers markets, and U-Pick fruit farms.”
A reviewer on Amazon.com wrote this about Michigan Fruit: “I looked all over for information about Michigan fruit for children and finally found this beautiful book. The authors have written the text in a very kid-friendly, informative but entertaining way. They have included lovely pictures to color that show how each fruit grows from the seed through the blossom and finally the fruit. The book includes recipe suggestions and information about fruit festivals in Michigan, as well as some history about why fruit grows so well in Michigan. This book is a gem, and will definitely help children understand why Michigan is one of the top fruit producing states in the nation. I wanted to eat a BIG fruit salad after I looked at the book! And even though I purchased this for my children, I enjoyed coloring the pictures too!”
Buy a copy of Michigan Fruit at Hurlin’s Paradiso Galley in Glen Arbor, just across M-22 from the Lakeshore Inn.
