• Age: 6 to 10
• Grade: 1 to 3

Why is Saskatoon called the "Bridge City"? Who were the first inhabitants of Saskatchewan? Where can you find rare plants such as the Prickly Pear Cactus and the Gumbo Evening Primrose? Discover the answers to these questions, along with other facts, in L is for Land of Living Skies: A Saskatchewan Alphabet. Readers young and old can visit the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, study the rare flora and fauna of the Cypress Hills Forest Reserve, enjoy the music at the John Arcand Fiddle Fest, or sample the delights of the Qu'Appelle Valley. From the healing waters of Little Manitou Lake to the otherworldly spectacle of the Northern Lights, everyone will enjoy this alphabetical journey that showcases the riches of Saskatchewan. Linda Aksomitis's young adult novel, Snowmobile Challenge, was a finalist for best children's book in the 2003 Saskatchewan Book Awards. L is for Land of Living Skies is her first picture book. Currently she lives in Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan. She travels frequently, giving author talks and lectures and researching future projects. Lorna Bennett attended Grant MacEwan College and the University of Alberta in the Arts/Fine Arts programs. In addition to L is for Land of Living Skies, she also illustrated C is for Chinook: An Alberta Alphabet and M is for Mountie: An RCMP Alphabet. Lorna lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

Linda Aksomitis was born on the praries, and she`s always had a wanderlust that only travel can satisfy. Both her career, which has spanned 35+ paying jobs, and hobbies, have always incorporated some form of discovery. Now that Linda is a full time writer and writing instructor she`s finally doing the job she aways wanted.

Linda`s first memories of fishing are at the side of her grandmother, who was an avid sports woman, while her most recent fish stories include pulling a 45cm (18m) shark form the gulf of Mexico. She`s driven ATV`s and ridden horseback in places from Saskatchewan to Maine and Kentucky. In addition to hitting the snowmobile trails she spent a decade with her husband on professional snowmobile racetracks through North America. A photographer as well as a writer, it was Linda`s photos of her adventures on her Internet site that started her relationship with Backroad Mapbooks. She`s found exploring what`s in her own backyard one of the most rewarding writing projects of her career.

As well as completing her Master of Vocational/Technical Education at the University of Regina. Linda has published ten books in addition to the Mapbooks for Manitoba and Saskatchewan. These include everything from nonfiction to adult short stories to children`s fiction and picture books. In addition she has also been published on radio, in periodicals,and on the web.

Linda Aksomitis' profile page

Lorna Bennett was born in Edmonton AB and took an early interest in the arts through music, dance and drawing. She attended Grant MacEwan Community College and the University of Alberta in Arts/Fine Arts. After working for many years as a designer/illustrator for the Alberta Forest Service and Environmental Protection, she left to pursue a career in the publishing industry doing children's picture books and novel covers. Many of Lorna's books have been nominated or shortlisted for major awards.

Lorna Bennett's profile page

L is for Land of Living Skies: A Saskatchewan Alphabet (Discover Canada Province by Province)