Karen Schneider, a columnist for the Sun Journal, and artist Donna Seabury-Peterson have published a children’s book inspired by Seabury-Peterson’s husband, Joe, former harbormaster for Maine’s Harpswell Islands, and their cat, Skiff.

“The Adventures of Skiff, the Harbormaster’s Cat” tells the story of Joe’s and Skiff’s rescue of a lost baby seal. With help from Ollie the osprey and Sammy the seagull, Joe and Skiff return the small fellow to its parents.

Featured are soft watercolor illustrations of coastal life, including a whimsical crab and a clever rendering of a map of Quahog Bay showing where the story takes place.

The author and illustrator, both early childhood educators and grandmothers, collaborated on the book for children ages 3 to 8 while working together in the Older Toddler Program at Bowdoin College’s Children’s Center.

Peterson, an accomplished artist who previously owned a graphic design business after teaching art for many years in Massachusetts, is now retired and lives in Cundy’s Harbor.

Schneider, who has written for the Sun Journal’s Living section for more than 11 years, resides in Bath.

“The Adventures of Skiff,” produced by Sun Press of Lewiston, is available at Gulf of Maine Books and Bowdoin College’s bookstore in Brunswick, The Bath Book Shop and Pitter Patter in Bath, and Island Candy on Bailey Island. People may also purchase a signed copy for $12 plus shipping by sending an e-mail to the author at iwrite@suscom-maine.net.


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