Written by Gabrielle Herbertson and illustrated by Lynn Garlick.
As the nights get longer and colder, what could be better than sitting by the fire or wood stove with a cup of tea, snuggled in with children or grandchildren to read this enchanting bedtime story?
To help celebrate the Winter Solstice and the coming of winter, we are excited to announce the publication of a new children’s book written by local author, Gabrielle Herbertson, and illustrated by Taos artist Lynn Garlick. Gabrielle is a longtime resident of the El Rito area north of Questa and is best known for her brilliant poetry and as co-editor of Earth Journey I and II by Herman Rednick and other works. Artist Lynn Garlick is known for her retablos, which she sells all over the world.
The book’s creation is informed by nature, the beauty of the New Mexico landscape, and a 45-year-old friendship between two long-time residents of Taos County, one an accomplished artist, the other a skillful poet. Having collaborated together on and off for almost 50 years, Gabrielle approached Lynn several years ago to illustrate her story. The pandemic provided a perfect opportunity to tackle the project in 2021.
Gabrielle’s writing speaks to the stark and beautiful reality of change and the majesty of the natural world. With tremendous care she creates an enchanted world with her words that are as much a poem as they are a children’s story. Gabrielle says, “The mysterious bond with writing began in childhood with thick-pencil stories of fairies and orphans plus dictation my incredible mom took down of little rhymes warbled before sleep…. For decades I told stories and taught writing and literature. I continue to write where I live, up against the mountains north of Questa.”
Lynn is best known for her retablos and her business Lynn Garlick Retablos. She sells her work in the United States and abroad. Creating the illustrations for Grandmother Winter was a wonderful departure for Lynn, who does beautiful oil paintings. For this book she created 16 watercolor panels to complete 32 full pages of illustrations, gathering flora and fauna from her garden and Baca Park, drying sunflowers and rose hips, and poring through photos of birds and animals to use as painting references. All the work was drawn traditionally, then painted meticulously by hand. As a child, Lynn was deeply influenced by the books passed down from her mother to her and her siblings. She has always dreamed of creating illustrations inspired by those childhood books of the Golden Age of Illustration at the turn of the 20th century.
A recent honorable mention winner of The Purple Dragonfly Book Award, Grandmother Winter, A Solstice Story, is a tale of kindness, generosity, and inclusion of all creatures. As winter approaches and nature transforms for the time of darkness and stillness, the animals and their families are drawn to Grandmother Winter at the heart of the forest. To one worried little mouse, the secret of the Solstice night is revealed — the magical rebirth of the sun.
Grandmother Winter can be purchased during the book signing or locally in Taos at Op.Cit. Books, the Harwood Gift Shop, Made in New Mexico, Benedictine Monks of Taos Gift Shop, Martinez Hacienda, CTF Décor, Dwellings Revisited, or through the website www.garlickretablos.com.
Meet the author and the illustrator at a Grandmother Winter book signing event
hosted by Questa Public Library
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 –4 pm, just in time for the Solstice and Christmas.
Buy the kids and grandkids a book and have it signed by Gabrielle and Lynn: what a thoughtful Christmas gift! Call Questa Public Library with any questions: (575) 586-2023
Grandmother Winter, A Solstice Story is a full-color book written by Gabrielle Herbertson, with hand-painted illustrations by Lynn Garlick.
44 pages (including covers)
of beautiful story and illustrations.
Suitable for ages 4 – 12
Published: March 2022, First Edition
A beautiful gift to give for under $20.
Created in Taos, New Mexico.
Made in the United States of America
May be ordered on the websites:
www.garlickretablos.com or www.faire.comor by calling (575) 758-3033.
