Books by Shelley Gill
Shelley Gill is the author of 25 children's books celebrating the wilderness and stark beauty of Alaska.
Within the fun and excitement of her stories, children also learn about the natural environment.
Browse a selection of her books below.
Alaska's Three Bears
One of the most beloved Alaskan children's picture books of all time, Alaska' Three Bears is a classic retelling of the three bears fairy tale, Alaska-style. Readers young and old will meet Alaska's three bears in this one-of-a-kind adventure. Join the polar, grizzly, and black bears as they travel across Alaska's vast wilderness. Author Shelley Gill and illustrator Shannon Cartwright bring young readers the real story of the three bears, filled with facts on America's best-loved bruins. Perfect story time reading plus nonfiction facts about bears for children ages 3 and up.
Kiana's Iditarod
Kiana is no ordinary dog. Born and bred to race, she leads her team of huskies on a journey unlike any other. The Iditarod -- known traditionally as Alaska's 'Last Great Race' - spans 1,049 icy miles from Anchorage to Nome. From the treacherous terrain to the bitter, blowing winds, the trail is full of obstacles Kiana and her team must overcome in order to reach the finish line. Along the way, they encounter packs of wild wolves, a mighty moose, and other sled dog teams fighting for first place. Can Kiana summon the strength of her team and lead them to victory? Author Shelley Gill brings her firsthand experience as the fifth woman to complete the Iditarod race to this crackling adventure story, while Shannon Cartwright's vibrant color illustrations bring Kiana and her team's extraordinary efforts to life for young readers.
Big Blue
Kye knows everything there is to know about whales, and dreams of swimming with a blue whale. When she travels to Mexico with her mother, Kye is closer to her goal than ever. Will her wish of swimming with Big Blue come true?
Thunderfeet
"In the land where caribou now roam, there once lived strange and amazing creatures..."" Discover Alaska's dinosaurs when you travel back through prehistoric time in Thunderfeet. Take a trip through 70 million years of history from the day of the dinosaurs to the migration of North America's animals across the Bering Land Bridge. Ages 5 and up. Includes a glossary for curious kids with more information about dinosaurs and other prehistoric critters. Thunderfeet is dedicated to all of Alaska’s animals. We hope the Last Frontier will stay a wild place.
Alaska's Dog Heroes
In Alaska, dogs really are a person’s best friend. These true canine stories from the last frontier describe remarkable acts of intelligence, stamina, loyalty, and heroism by Balto, Togo, Tekla, Stickeen, and more of Alaska’s famous dogs. From traversing mountains in winter with deliveries of life- saving medicine to fighting off bears and finding lost children, each beautifully illustrated and exciting story comes from the pages of Alaska’s history.
Sitka Rose
Strap on your safety harness, because this tall tale is the wildest ride in the lower 48! Readers will experience the adventure of a lifetime as they follow Rose from Sitka Sound to Nome to the Northern Lights over the peaks of Denali.
Prickly Rose
Prickly Rose is tired of being left behind when her legendary big sister, Sitka, goes off on yet another adventure. Determined to follow in Sitka’s huge footsteps, Prickly sets off—with tumultuous results. As she tromps across Alaska, Prickly fires up a volcano, gives the earth a mighty shake, and whips up a tsunami. Even little sisters can have a big impact in this original Alaskan tall tale.
Swimmer
This thrilling story of the Chinook salmon beautifully illustrates nature's circle and the cycle of life. The story of the Chinook salmon is nothing less than a miracle of nature. She hatches from a tiny pearl-colored egg and begins her adventure - a 10,000-mile journey from the gravel bed of Caribou Creek to the Pacific and back. This book is part of the PAWS IV Publishing series and was originally published in 1995. Special thanks to biologists Bill Bushur, Henry Yuen, Suzi Lozo and Richard Barnes and elder Elena Charles and all the kids and parents from Newtok, Atmautlauk, Napaskiak and Kwethluk who helped me understand yaaruiq.
Danger: The Dogyard Cat
In 1985 Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the grueling 1049-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. She won after risking her life in a dangerous winter storm that swept across the sea ice of Norton Sound, pinning her team down for hours. Now she introduces us to her cat, Danger, the coolest lead cat in Iditarod history, in this whimsical and musical tale of the far north. Libby lives with 11-year-old Danger and 57 sled dogs a few miles out of Nome. Ages 5 and up.
Up On Denali
From its origins as a trick played by Raven (the scientific version involving plate tectonics is also included) to the flora and fauna and human explorations, this colorful children's book reveals every facet of Alaska's great Denali mountain. Employing the Gill-Cartwright signature style of mingling fiction and fact, this book is brimming with fun and fascinating information and wonder about the tallest, coldest, wildest mountain in America.
Alaska
Blending poetry and humor, Alaskan author and adventurer Shelley Gill explores the 49th state's history, culture, wildlife, and geography. Explosive volcanoes, extreme climates, massive mountains, shimmering Northern Lights, and dog-mushing races are just some of the sights captured in crisp photographs.
If I Were A Bear
From Shelley Gill comes this colorful, rhyming board book that playfully features bears found in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Beautiful watercolor illustrations of bears of all sizes are sure to delight readers young and old. Toddlers will love this fun introduction to bears, in this beautifully illustrated board book that shares facts about these amazing animals in an imaginative way.
If I were a polar bear
my ears would be small,
my feet would be furry,
I'd have barely any tail at all.
If I Were A Whale
From best-selling children's author Shelley Gill comes this colorful, rhyming board book playfully featuring whales found in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans. Toddlers will love learning about whales swimming in the deep blue sea in this beautifully illustrated board book that shares simple whale facts in an imaginative way.
If I could be anything, do you know what I’d be? I’d be a whale in the deep blue sea.
Scooping up fishes and flipping my tail, I’d be a minke or beluga whale.
If I Were A Bird
Toddlers will love this fun introduction to birds, in this beautifully illustrated board book that shares facts about these amazing animals in an imaginative way.
If I were a bird
you know what I'd try?
Flying wing tip to wing tip
in a forest flyby!
I could be an ebony raven,
wind lifting my wings,
tumbling past treetops,
upside down of all things.
Hawai'i
Join Patrick and his father as they tour the Aloha State. They kayak around the Big Island, drive to Haleakala Crater, visit the paniolos on Parker Ranch, and so much more. Learn historical, natural science, and cultural information as well as some Hawaiian words and fun facts.
The Big Buck Adventure
One little girl and one very big dollar set out on a great adventure at the store. However, what seems like a pleasant afternoon of shopping soon turns perplexing as the challenge of her buying options becomes overwhelming. She doesn't know what to do. There are so many choices, but she only has one buck. A fun and perfect example of how we use math in our daily lives.
The Alaska Mother Goose
Alaska's favorite children's book offers both new and old favorites with a northern flair. Meet all the wild critters of the North in this charming book of nursery rhymes. Ages 3 and up. Printed on recycled paper. This book includes a Glossary of terms, providing interesting facts and explanations about the animals that call Alaska their home. Curious kids can learn more about: snow geese, musk oxen, sea otters, Arctic (white) foxes, collared lemmings, Coho salmon, and more!
Gabe
Author Shelley Gill was seventeen-years-old in 1972 and a free spirit protesting the Vietnam War, marching for civil rights, and finding her way in a changing world. While volunteering in the medical tent at the first Rainbow Gathering in Granby, Colorado, Shelley met Gabe--a blue merle husky mix puppy abandoned by his owner. Gabe quickly became Shelley's best friend and protector. They travelled the country together, hitchhiking to New Orleans, traveling on to Indiana, to New York City, and to the Rocky Mountains. Finally they landed in Alaska and stayed.
Shelley Gill has lived full-force, grabbing life by the horns and not letting go. Her spirit and attitude are ever-present in this autobiography, which is a snapshot of a turbulent time in American history, as well as a love-letter to cherished dog.