The Scallop Christmas - Hardcover

by Jane Freeburg (Author), Astrid Sheckels (Illustrator)

Times were tough in the small New England fishing village where Marcie lived. No one had any money, and work was hard to find. So the villagers rejoiced one glorious fall when an unexpected bounty of scallops filled their little bay. For young Marcie, a week of harvesting scallops also brought an unexpected adventure and a lesson about love that she would never forget. The Scallop Christmas, illustrated by rising star Astrid Sheckels, was the winner of the 2009 Maine Lupine Honor Award, given annually to a picture book of outstanding merit.

Author Biography

Author Jane Freeberg lives on Georgetown Island in Midcoast Maine and has lived in the state for thirty years. The Scallop Christmas is based on a true story told to her by her friend Marcia, who lived most of the story. She states, "It rattled around in my brain for thirty-five years, and when it came to mind, I'd think, 'That's a great story. I ought to write it down. I'm so glad I did."

Astrid Sheckels was born and raised in the farming town of Hatfield, Massachusetts. She cannot remember a time when she wasn't listening to, telling, or illustrating stories. She grew up with her father's and grandfather''s stories, so it's not surprising that Astrid herself enjoys telling stories--though she prefers to tell hers visually, using illustrations to give a story more depth and dimension.

Astrid began expressing herself artistically at age two when she decorated her family's new wall-to-wall carpeting with wax crayons. Home schooling and private art instruction laid the foundation for her artistic education, which was formalized at Greenfield Community College. Astrid is a member of The Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Her first two picture books featured her illustrations: the award-winning The Scallop Christmas (by Jane Freeberg, 2009) and the award-winning The Fish House Door (by Robert Baldwin, 2010). For her third picture book, the award-winning Nic and Nellie, she is both author and illustrator.

Astrid Sheckels was born and raised in the farming town of Hatfield, Massachusetts. She cannot remember a time when she wasn't listening to, telling, or illustrating stories. She grew up with her father's and grandfather''s stories, so it's not surprising that Astrid herself enjoys telling stories--though she prefers to tell hers visually, using illustrations to give a story more depth and dimension.

Astrid began expressing herself artistically at age two when she decorated her family's new wall-to-wall carpeting with wax crayons. Home schooling and private art instruction laid the foundation for her artistic education, which was formalized at Greenfield Community College. Astrid is a member of The Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Her first two picture books featured her illustrations: the award-winning The Scallop Christmas (by Jane Freeberg, 2009) and the award-winning The Fish House Door (by Robert Baldwin, 2010). For her third picture book, the award-winning Nic and Nellie, she is both author and illustrator.