Settle down with your children, and read them a story about the time Squeak the mouse goes backcountry skiing! Grandma Mouse tells her grandchildren a bedtime story about Squeak's winter life in the subnivean zone, under the snow. One day Squeak walks into a skier’s backpack and is taken on a backcountry snow adventure. Squeak meets other animals that teach her about backcountry skiing and snow safety.
Here is what we love about this book. First, and consistent with the theme of Beacon Guidebooks, it is an educational book. It is perfect for children to read and begin to learn about backcountry skiing and snow travel. Our child really liked it because she now understood more about what her parents are doing when they are backcountry skiing. Second, and spoiler alert here, we learn that Grandma Squeak was telling her grandchildren a story about her own adventures when she was younger. Special black and white iIllustrations of Grandma Squeak show her on skiing and climbing adventures in her youth. This is reminiscent of backcountry ski pioneers such as Dolores LaChapelle in the Colorado Mountains, and Betty Woolsey at Teton Pass in Wyoming.
Squeak! Goes Backcountry Skiing is written by Scott Borden, and with illustrations by Mallory Logan. Mallory has also drawn illustrations for other Squeak adventure books. The book is published by Beacon Guidebooks, and is available on their website as well as on Amazon. A portion of proceeds benefits Protect our Winters.