Kathy-jo Wargin is the author of more than 45 children’s books, including Michigan’s Official State Children’s Book, The Legend of Sleeping Bear; IRA Children’s Choice Award Winner The Legend of the Loon; IRA Teacher’s Choice Winner and New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award Winner Win One for the Gipper; Bank Street College of Education’s Best Books of 2007 List Title The Voyageur’s Paddle; and 2009 National Parenting Publications Association Honor Book Alfred Nobel, The Man Behind the Peace Prize.

Kathy-jo grew up in the beautiful and pristine north woods of northeastern Minnesota, an area known to most as “the iron range.” She was born in a small town called Tower, not far from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Her father was born in Tower; her mother born in Aurora, Minnesota. After living in both of those small towns as a young child, her family moved to another range town called Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Today, after writing professionally for more than 22 years, Kathy-jo Wargin is a frequent guest speaker for schools, educational conferences, and workshops throughout the country. She is married to photographer Ed Wargin and they currently make their home in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Scare A Bear
illustrated by John Brunello
Sleeping Bear Press, 2010
ISBN 978-1585364305

From the author-illustrator team who created Moose on the Loose comes yet another example of the high jinks and hilarity that happens when wildlife wanders indoors. In this contest of wills, who will win? And once again, by story's end, young campers will know exactly how to scare a bear!

Alfred Nobel, The Man Behind the Peace Prize
illustrated by Zachary Pullen
Sleeping Bear Press, 2009
ISBN 978-1585362813

Almost everyone has heard of the Nobel Prize, a collection of prizes awarded for accomplishments in science, medicine, literature, and peace. But few people know about the man who established the award and for whom it is named, Alfred Nobel. Alfred Nobel was born in Sweden in 1833. A quick and curious mind, combined with a love of science and chemistry, drove him to invent numerous technological devices throughout his long life. But he is perhaps most well known for his invention of dynamite.

Awards and Recognition
2009 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Children's Products: Honors Award; Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year

Moose on the Loose
illustrated by John Brunello
Sleeping Bear Press, 2009
ISBN 978-1585364275

Colorful, comic artwork highlights the hilarity that ensues when wildlife wanders indoors. Can boy best beast? By story's end, young readers will know exactly what to do when a moose goes on the loose!