A Bear Named 399 & Friends: New Children's Book Introduces Readers to National Parks

TORONTO, May 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for Spring, a new children's book is helping young readers fall in love with National Parks, a famous bear, and several other majestic species that call Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks home. Written by author and photographer Dana Warnquist and illustrated by Warnquist's sister, artist Joi McCarthy, A Bear Named 399 & Friends (ISBN 9781365417221, Lulu Press, $15.50) is the story of young Erik, who meets Bear 399 and several other iconic American animals on his family's summer vacation.

Against the backdrop of McCarthy's beautifully realistic oil and watercolor illustrations, Warnquist weaves the tale of Erik and his younger sister Sara, who travel from Colorado to Wyoming one summer to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Along the way, Erik meets Bear 399, Grand Teton's most famous resident, who teaches him about Grizzly Bears and introduces him to her friends in Yellowstone, including Buffy, an American Bison; Teddy the Bald Eagle; and Loki the Gray Wolf. Each gives Erik--and readers--insight into his or her species. Interspersed throughout the story are fascinating facts about the parks and the wildlife that call them home.

"I wrote A Bear Named 399 & Friends in honor of 100 years of the National Park Service," Warnquist explained. "Our National Parks are treasures that are available to all of us, and it's important for young readers to know what a rich cultural resource each of America's 59 National Parks is. Our hope is that through Joi's illustrations and my story, we can pique children's interest in learning more about the parks and protecting their inhabitants."

Warnquist based the cast of characters in A Bear Named 399 & Friends--and to some extent, the story itself--on her own family and their road trips to National Parks when her children were young. A fine art nature photographer and supporter of the National Park Service, Warnquist has pledged to donate all proceeds from the book's sale to environmental protection and wildlife conservation programs. The book is available for purchase from Lulu Press, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

About Dana Warnquist
Conservationist, photographer and author Dana Warnquist was chosen as a semifinalist in the 47th Annual Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine in 2011. Originally from the U.S., she now calls Toronto home. Through her photographic art, Warnquist hopes to inspire an appreciation for natural beauty, help increase awareness about environmental protection, and further conservation efforts. A Bear Named 399 & Friends is her second book; her first, Roary the Lion, was published in English and Spanish (Roary, el león) in 2016. She is currently at work on a photo book. Learn more at http://www.danemarkphotography.com.

Contact:
Dana Warnquist
416.554.4483
[email protected] 
http://www.danemarkphotography.com

SOURCE Dana Warnquist