Coming soon! A picture book biography of John and Annie Bidwell for young readers. I want to show you some samples pages.

John Bidwell’s first days in California.

Ever since I did my book on John Bidwell in 2010, teachers have asked me for an easier book that they can use with 3rd grade classes. It’s in the works and should be available shortly. It covers the Bidwells’ lives from the time John left Missouri to journey to California, to the day Annie gave Bidwell Park to the city of Chico.

The illustrations are by Steve Ferchaud, a talented local illustrator who has illustrated many books, as well as doing pictures for magazines and newspapers. It’s been a delight to see how he can translate my text into lively, informative pictures.

John and Annie’s romance.

The book will be 8.5 by 11 inches and 32 pages, with color illustrations throughout. It includes an afterword and timeline that add more information about John and Annie’s lives. Steve and I have worked hard to make sure that the text and illustrations are as historically accurate as we can make them.

Camping with the Bidwells and John Muir.

The book will be for sale at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park and in other local outlets. I hope you enjoy it!