V Is for Von Trapp: A Musical Family Alphabet

From "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens" to "Doe, a deer, a female deer," many people have grown up humming the tunes or singing the lyrics to the songs from the beloved movie The Sound of Music. But what is the real story behind the brave von Trapp family? V is for von Trapp: A Musical Family Alphabet gives a behind-the-headlines look at this real-life singing family made famous in the classic movie. Starting with their idyllic early life in Austria where their love of music and performing began, author William Anderson takes readers along on the family's courageous mountaintop escape from Nazi authorities to their new life in America and the famous von Trapp family lodge in the Vermont hills. Meet determined Maria, the dashing Captain, and their talented children; the famous von Trapps whose life story captivated thousands and continues to inspire with its legacy of hope and achievement. Author, historian, and lecturer William Anderson did extensive research and interviews with the von Trapp family. His previous book with Sleeping Bear is M is for Mount Rushmore: A South Dakota Alphabet. William lives in Lapeer, Michigan. Linda Graves is the illustrator of over 30 children's books, published worldwide. She was born in Eureka, California, and graduated with a degree in illustration from San Jose State University. Linda is a member of the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and lives in the woods of Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

William Anderson is delighted to write about South Dakota, where his ancestors pioneered in the 1880s. A century later, he helped restore Laura Ingalls Wilder's South Dakota homes, and received the state's Robinson Award for historical writing. His books include: Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography; River Boy: The Story of Mark Twain; and The World of the Trapp Family. In 2002 he was invited to Laura Bush's White House conference on the frontier. M is for Mount Rushmore: A South Dakota Alphabet is his first book with Sleeping Bear Press.

As a speaker, William Anderson has traveled across America. But he says his favorite summers were spent in South Dakota. His home is in Michigan, where he teaches and writes.

Linda Graves is the illustrator of over 30 children's books, published worldwide. She was born in Eureka, California, and graduated with a degree in illustration from San Jose State University. Linda is a member of the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and lives in the woods of Berkshire County, Massachusetts.