"It was a wonderful, collaborative process to be a part of." That is illustrator Sarah Brokke's response to working with author Gary Boelhower on the book A Common Thirst, published in 2020 by Beaver's Pond Press.
"I was very fortunate to be working with an author that had some clear ideas," says Brokke, "but was also open to my perspective." Given the characters of the book (sheep and goats) Brokke found herself conveniently teaching in Ireland in 2018. "I spent probably more time than I should admit with the sheep."
Depending on your point of view, the animals aren't the only characters. "The landscape itself is a character in this book, and the environment is a character as well."
Brokke, who primarily works as a painter, took the opportunity to translated her love of drawing through this book. With colored pencils, Brokke says that the actual act of drawing is easier to see. "Perhaps it would maybe encourage [readers] or inspire them a little bit to pick up a pencil or some colored pencils... the more art we have in the world, the better off we are."
A Common Thirst is available at The Bookstore at Fitger's, Zenith City Books, and online. More information about the author can be found on her website.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 1033 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.