Books
I have always loved stories and I have written and/or illustrated several children’s books. All of the stories have been located in a wide variety of places in the world. (Greenland, Somalia, Ethiopia, the Northwoods, a barn) Cultures are influenced by their environment, so getting the details and colors of nature right is key to telling a great story.
written by Sheryl Peterson
illustrated by Kelly Dupre
The Best Part of a Sauna
Brrr! Coyote is always cold! That's because it's winter all year long. But Old Woman has something amazing called summer. It's tied up in a little bag in her tipi. Coyote and his friends Wolf, Moose, Elk, Stag, and Antelope make a plan to steal summer. But when Coyote grabs the bag, Old Woman's children chase after him. Will his plan work? Will everyone have a chance to share summer's warmth? Find out what happens in this fast-paced tale!
Edited by Sue Ahrendt
Activities and Illustrations by Kelly Dupre
Becoming a Boundary Waters Family
This project was the brain child of all the outfitters on the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, MN. I thought it was a great idea and I was honored that they asked me to help out. I was involved from start to finish and it was a lot of fun playing a part in developing this project and watching it grow. It started out as a simple website and then grew into a book, a website, and a series of presentations, all with the idea of helping people become a "Boundary Waters Family." My wish for the book is that there will be lots of folks out there who use it as a fun tool to get outside, enjoy nature, and maybe even go camping!
written by Stephen Krensky
illustrated by Kelly Dupre
How Coyote Stole the Summer
Brrr! Coyote is always cold! That's because it's winter all year long. But Old Woman has something amazing called summer. It's tied up in a little bag in her tipi. Coyote and his friends Wolf, Moose, Elk, Stag, and Antelope make a plan to steal summer. But when Coyote grabs the bag, Old Woman's children chase after him. Will his plan work? Will everyone have a chance to share summer's warmth? Find out what happens in this fast-paced tale!
retold by Said Salah Ahmed
illustrated by Kelly Dupre
The Lion’s Share (Qayb Libaax)
Originally told around campfires just before bedtime, The Lion's Share is a folk tale from Somalia told often to children. It is one of the most commonly shared stories, so it seemed like a natural for one of the few Somalian/English bi-lingual picture books to be published in the world.
The hungry animals of the Somali forest have worked together to kill a big fat camel. Now they must decide how to divide it. Will the portions be equal? Not with the lion in charge! Read this popular Somali folktale and see why, as the other animals come to understand, "the lion's share is not fair!"
by Leona Novy Jackson
illustrated by Kelly Dupre
The Littlest Christmas Kitten
From Midwest Book Review: "... a very special picturebook retelling of the Nativity story where youngsters ages 3 through 7 can feel the restless anticipation of the animals and the worried concerns of mother cat for her little lost kitten. The lost is found in the midst of a miracle on a special night when Jesus is born and the first Christmas occurs. Kelly Dupre's superb artwork wonderfully enhanced Leona Novy's original and entertaining story about the love and care mothers have for their little ones—and the birth of the Baby Jesus."
a true story from Greenland
written and illustrated by Kelly Dupre
The Raven’s Gift
Home to the musk oxen, narwhal, polar bear, and raven, Greenland—the earth's largest island—seems to hold the magic and mystery of the far north. What would it be like to visit there? To kayak along its remote shores, dogsled through its tundra, visit its tiny villages?
With charming linoleum block prints, Kelly Dupre follows the long, difficult journey of two men. In simple words, she captures the tenacity and vitality of all that they see—and subtly reveals to children what can be learned from a place like Greenland.
retold by Kelly Dupre
translated by Said Salah Ahmed
The Travels of Igal Shidad
Igal Shidad walks the drought-stricken Somali landscape, searching for a better home for his family and animals, asking for Allah's guidance and protection along the way. As he confronts obstacles, both real and imagined, this well-known figure in Somali folklore discovers that his prayers can be answered without him even realizing it.