Once upon an Isle: The Story of Fishing Families on Isle Royale: Paintings and Companion Stories [Hardcover]

Howard Sivertson (Author, Painter), Timothy Cochrane (Afterword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1992

Howard Sivertson's autobiographical first book focuses on the life he was born into - growing up in a fishing family on the remote island of Isle Royale. In these 40 paintings he depicts seasons and holidays, boats and the buildings. All show the world of family togetherness as it used to be.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 111 pages
• Publisher: Wisconsin Folk Museum; 1st edition (June 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962436933
• ISBN-13: 978-0962436932
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 11.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #839,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Little Book, April 18, 2001

By 

David D. Swayze (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once upon an Isle: The Story of Fishing Families on Isle Royale: Paintings and Companion Stories (Hardcover)

It is the happiest of chances for us that a boy who lived a very unique childhood grew up to be an illustrator. Howard Sivertson spent a good portion of his childhood living in a fishing colony on primeval Isle Royale, a remote wilderness paradise in northern Lake Superior. Though it is now a U. S. National Park, Isle Royale was for more than one hundred years home to commercial fishermen, a hardy breed who spent most of each year battling primitive living conditions and the unforgiving freshwater sea. Sivertson remembers much beauty and humor in life among the small tough Scandanavians. Prone to seasickness, Sivertson left the family fishing trade to make a living as an illustrator. Now in his later years, he has brought his childhood idyll to life in his lovingly rendered paintings and the simple stories which accompany them. Though this book may almost strike you as a childrens' story, the beauty and childlike simplicity of it cannot fail to move you.