Nekane, the Lamina & the Bear: A Tale of the Basque Pyrenees (Toucan Tales)

Nekane sets off into the forest to bring her uncle some fish and olive oil, but during her journey she must outwit the fog, a bear, and the lamina--a spirit who loves olive oil

Author Frank P. Araujo, PhD has lived in California since the author's great-great grandfather arrived from European Basque country during the early part of the last century. The city of Bakersfield, where Frank Araujo was born was a hub of activity for the many Basque people who had immigrated to California to work in the sheep industry. It was in this rich cultural environment that the author developed his passion for folklore. After his military service, Araujo studied linguistics and anthropology at the University of California at Berkeley and Davis. His doctoral research was conducted in California among the Basque sheepmen, after which he worked with the World Health Organization in South America. He has taught at several universities and has conducted extensive field work in Europe, Africa, South America, the Middle East and Asia.

Artist Xiao Jun Li is an international children's illustrator and recognized calligrapher in China. He was born and reared in Chi! nese Inner Mongolia and was educated at the College of Fine Arts at Tianjin. His numerous awards include the Sixth Noma Concours Award for Children's Picture Book Illustrations from the Asian Cultural Center of the United Nations in Tokyo, and the silver medal at the Sixth National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Beijing.