Review
2009 Silver Award –Association for Communication Excellence, April, 2009″…In a superb effort to make natural science interesting, entertaining, and educational, Maine author Catherine Schmitt has produced a highly readable scientific almanac and field guide focusing on the plants, animals, geology, climate and natural phenomenon of the land and sea …This is a wonderful scientific treasury that explores the enormity, complexity and inter-relationships between the land and sea and all the creatures of both worlds.” –Kennebec Journal, January 25, 2009″well written book…engages readers’ interest…moves easily between field-guide-style descriptions…each month starts with a poem…simple pen-and-ink drawings…thoughtful observations…” — Gulf of Maine Times, Summer 2008
Review
“Schmitt’s detailed research takes the form of a day-by-day journal, giving readers a feel for the change of the seasons and how nature adapts. Accentuating the…
Buy A Coastal Companion: A Gulf of Maine Almanac, from Canada to Cape Cod at Amazon
This is one of the best books I have ever read. It provides the reader with a wealth and variety of information about the natural history of the area interspersed with brief snippets of information about specific persons of interest, sometimes quotes and/or poems. All this information is presented in a diary, or almanac, form, with each day describing a specific event, sometimes historical, sometimes a natural occurrence (such as a description of the “strawberry moon”, which is the full moon for June, close to strawberry time, this year on June 18.) Other “topics” include timely descriptions of the return of swallowtail butterflies and various migrating birds, “behaviors” of periwinkles, seaglass, etc. I look forward each day to reading the item of the day and have so far learned something at each reading. This book is a “must have” for anyone who loves the northeast coast in all its seasons.
Catherine Schmitt does a superb job providing a glimpse into what life is like on the coast. To be read throughout the year, each day presents an artful yet scientific piece of coastal observation. From the life of the loon to the yellow lichen living seaside, A Coastal Companion is a must-have for seaside enthusiasts.
Catherine Schmitt is a thoughtful and talented writer. Her portrait of the Gulf of Maine, its flora and fauna, is evocative and enlightening. I highly recommend this book.