F is for First State: A Delaware Alphabet (Discover America State by State)

As the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, Delaware rightfully earned its nickname of "First State." Though small in size, it is a treasure trove of history (Fort Delaware), inventions (the Victrola), and garden wonders (Winterthur). State symbols such as the Blue Hen Chicken and peach blossom speak to the character and traditions that formed the state. Historian Carol Crane loves looking through the kaleidoscope of the past and has taken many delightful journeys through Delaware. She loves to imagine her Swedish ancestors coming to this country on the Kalmar Nyckel, building log cabins, or starting the first Swedish church in Wilmington. Carol lives with her husband in North Carolina and travels the country speaking at education conferences across the nation."F is for First State" is Carol's 11th book with Sleeping Bear Press. Elizabeth Traynor decided to be an illustrator when she was fifteen years old, while taking art classes at the Delaware Art Museum. She received her BFAin illustration from Rhode Island School of Design. An illustrator as well as an illustration professor, her work can be seen throughout the country, from book covers, newspapers and magazines, to ads and packaging. Elizabeth lives in Massachusetts and California.

Lecturer and book reviewer Carol Crane was widely recognized by many schools and educators for her expertise in children's literature. She authored over twenty books for Sleeping Bear Press and conducted in-service seminars for teachers at many schools across the country. She also instituted a summer reading program for teachers and media specialists. Carol traveled extensively and spoke at state reading conventions across the United States and lived in Michigan, Florida and North Carolina, before passing away in 2018.

Elizabeth Traynor's earliest memory of art was being five and discovering that red paint + yellow paint = orange paint. She started formal art classes at age 10, chose art as her career at 15, and has been an illustrator since graduating from Rhode Island School of Design in 1981. Elizabeth loves illustrating birds, animals, and children, but enjoys drawing almost anything. Her award-winning illustrations have appeared nationwide, and she is represented by Gerald & Cullen Rapp. She loves teaching as well, and was an Illustration and Foundation art instructor at Delaware College of Art & Design for six years. She was head of the Illustration Department for four of those years. Elizabeth returned to her birthplace, Guntersville, Alabama, in 2014, where she enjoys the low mountains & lakes, rural wildlife and balmier weather. She lives with her cat Skeeter, who thinks she is a dog, and Sammie & Bink, small dogs who think they are big and love brussel sprouts.