Times were tough in the small New England fishing village where Marcie lived. No one had any money, and work was hard to find. So the villagers rejoiced one glorious fall when an unexpected bounty of scallops filled their little bay. For young Marcie, a week of harvesting scallops also brought an unexpected adventure and a lesson about love that she would never forget. The Scallop Christmas , illustrated by rising star Astrid Sheckels, was the winner of the 2009 Maine Lupine Honor Award, given annually to a picture book of outstanding merit. Sheckels adds color, vitality, a crispness and life to all 32 pages of her new book. --The Greenfield (MA) Recorder "Once in a great while something different comes along that is truly absorbing and moving and tells this tale of the Christmas spirit in words and illustrations in a way that is both very familiar and very new. Such a book is The Scallop Christmas, by Jane Freeberg and Astrid Sheckels ... young readers will not only get a deep enjoyment from the happy ending of the tale, in the process they will have learned something about scallops, courage under pressure and the rewards of patience." --Nan Lincoln, The Bar Harbor (ME) Times "This nostalgic tale of a very special gift - not the special Christmas present itself but the love it symbolizes - is the first children's book by Jane Freeberg. Set in a Maine coastal village, the story of a family working together during the Depression provides a glimpse into the past with its description of scallop harvesting, as well as a good lesson about what really matters. Astrid Sheckel's watercolors create a strong sense of time and place." --Elizabeth Kennedy, About.com Children's Books, Best Children's Books of 2009 Author Jane Freeberg lives on Georgetown Island in Midcoast Maine and has lived in the state for thirty years. The Scallop Christmas is based on a true story told to her by her friend Marcia, who lived most of the story. She states, "It rattled around in my brain for thirty-five years, and when it came to mind, I'd think, 'That's a great story. I ought to write it down. I'm so glad I did." Astrid Sheckels was born and raised in the farming town of Hatfield, Massachusetts. She cannot remember a time when she wasn't listening to, telling, or illustrating stories. She grew up with her father's and grandfather''s stories, so it's not surprising that Astrid herself enjoys telling stories―though she prefers to tell hers visually, using illustrations to give a story more depth and dimension. Astrid began expressing herself artistically at age two when she decorated her family's new wall-to-wall carpeting with wax crayons. Home schooling and private art instruction laid the foundation for her artistic education, which was formalized at Greenfield Community College. Astrid is a member of The Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Her first two picture books featured her illustrations: the award-winning The Scallop Christmas (by Jane Freeberg, 2009) and the award-winning The Fish House Door (by Robert Baldwin, 2010). For her third picture book, the award-winning Nic and Nellie, she is both author and illustrator. Astrid Sheckels was born and raised in the farming town of Hatfield, Massachusetts. She cannot remember a time when she wasn't listening to, telling, or illustrating stories. She grew up with her father's and grandfather''s stories, so it's not surprising that Astrid herself enjoys telling stories―though she prefers to tell hers visually, using illustrations to give a story more depth and dimension. Astrid began expressing herself artistically at age two when she decorated her family's new wall-to-wall carpeting with wax crayons. Home schooling and private art instruction laid the foundation for her artistic education, which was formalized at Greenfield Community College. Astrid is a member of The Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Her first two picture books featured her illustrations: the award-winning The Scallop Christmas (by Jane Freeberg, 2009) and the award-winning The Fish House Door (by Robert Baldwin, 2010). For her third picture book, the award-winning Nic and Nellie , she is both author and illustrator. Used Book in Good Condition