From family work to children's book

Valley Life editor

Years ago, Avril Johannes and her family helped rehabilitate animals and wildlife for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. It was a rewarding experience, and now children are getting to enjoy her family's work through a different project.

Johannes and her daughter, Jan Branham, released "Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe: Four Alaskan Ravens," a children's book based on their experience rehabilitating four birds at their family home. It comes on the heels of their first children's book together, "Squeaks," about a squirrel the family helped raise.

"We rehabilitated wildlife for 20 years, and that's what the kids always remember about growing up," Johannes said. "It's sort of thrilling to share those stories with my grandchildren now."

Their newest book is about four ravens that Johannes writes, "in the fun-to-have-around department, Eeny Meeny Miney and Moe won hands down."

The birds were never caged, and lived both inside and outside the family's home. They ate anything that was offered to them, including dog food, cat food and table scraps. During their rehabilitation, the four ravens even learned some English -- they were able to say "hello" to visitors, and imitated many of the sounds they heard, including honking geese, the sound of water dripping from a tap and a car revving its engine.

"Children are naturally drawn to animals," Johannes said. "Animals are perfect for children's books."

Johannes and her daughter work on the text first, and then consult with illustrator Tessama C, who lives in Palmer and illustrated "Squeaks." The relationship is perfect, Johannes said.

"To me, it's fascinating to tell her what I want and then to see the finished product," Johannes said. "That's so impressive to me -- she captures exactly what we want."

The test audience is also part of the family.

"We run it past Jan's two boys, and they tell us what they like and what they don't like," Johannes said. "They were just tickled to find out a picture of their mom is on the back cover."

Johannes and Branham started the project last winter, and got the artwork coordinated in the spring.

The book, published by Todd Communications of Anchorage, was received back in October, just in time for the start of the Christmas shopping season.

"We do the Colony High School bazaar with the books, and it is perfect timing getting them back now," Johannes explained. "That worked out well for 'Squeaks.'"

Like "Squeaks," "Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe" will have one very important reader in a few weeks.

"We sent the last book to Laura Bush for her literacy program, and she sent us back a real nice certificate. We're sending her a copy of this book, too," Johannes explained.

In addition to being at the Colony High School bazaar, Johannes said they are hosting a book signing at Annabel's books in Wasilla on Dec. 11.

"Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe" is also available at Cook Inlet Books in Anchorage, as well as at Waldenbooks and Fred Meyer.

The mother-daughter team is already considering its next project -- it will probably be about either a fox that had to have its leg amputated, or about Mr. Stubbs, a hawk owl.