My new picture book biography of Peter Lassen is getting closer to complettion. Everything is in the hands (and computer) of my friendly neighborhood graphic designer, Carla Resnick. Pretty soon it will be off to the printer and then a big box o’ books will come to my door.

Here are the front and back cover illustrations by Steve Ferchaud, without text:

Front cover

Back cover

Gary Kurutz, retired but very busy curator of the California State Library, gave me a quote to put on the back.

Through comprehensive research and gifted writing, historian Nancy Leek brings out the magnetic life of this intrepid Danish pioneer who crossed the country to settle and tame the rugged and remote land of northeastern California. Like Captain Sutter, he was generous and welcoming to immigrants and respected Native Americans only to be murdered in 1859 on his way to the newly discovered Nevada silver mines.

––Gary F. Kurutz, curator emeritus, California State Library and executive director, California State Library Foundation

I am very pleased to have the endorsement of an eminent scholar of California history. I’m looking forward to having that book in my hands shortly!