Picture book marries work of Bowen and Root

It's an unusual book for a university press to publish, a big children's picture book about life (and belches) in a northern bog. In the hands of Grand Marais printmaker Betsy Bowen and Minneapolis author Phyllis Root -- author of more than 30 books for children -- it is a beautiful thing.

"Big Belching Bog," published last week, is a science book, really, but a science book wrapped in Root's poetic words and Bowen's unmistakable illustrations. "If you come to the Big Bog go slowly (you can't hurry a bog) and listen," Root writes. "The bog might share some of its secrets with you. You might even hear the biggest bog secret of all."

What child wouldn't turn the page after that?

The book launch will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 16 at Red Balloon Bookstore, 891 Grand Av., St. Paul, with a woodcut printing demonstration by Bowen, and Root telling fun facts about bog life. Root also has events at 1 p.m. Oct. 23 at Wild Rumpus, 2720 W. 43rd St., Mpls., and at 1 p.m. the same day Bowen will be at Sivertson's Gallery in Grand Marais.

Also ...

•"Minnesota's Hidden Alphabet," photographs by Joe Rossi and text by David LaRochelle, will be published this fall by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. Rossi's photos find the alphabet in nature -- the wrinkles of a mushroom, viewed close, make an "N," and the tip of a vine curves like an "S." Rossi is a longtime photographer for the St. Paul Pioneer Press who now lives in northern Minnesota. LaRochelle lives in White Bear Lake. Their publication party will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 13 at Wild Rumpus, 2720 W. 43rd St., Mpls.

•Milkweed Editions' book lovers' ball will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 at the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The fundraiser will feature authors John Reimringer, Larry Watson and Jessica Anderson. Tickets ($155-$255 for individuals) are available at milkweed.org.