How many pennies would it take to build a hospital? Once upon a time in Northern Wisconsin, some students wanted to find out.
Snowshoe Kate and the Hospital Built for Pennies, the latest book from local author Margi Preus, recounts the life and times of a woman who broke gender stereotypes by becoming a rural doctor who made home visits to patients throughout the north woods in a time before a local hospital was built.
During a lesson on numbers a group of school students (many who were brought into the world by Dr. Kate) decide to collect pennies. After accruing so many, the students decide to keep collecting and focus their efforts on raising enough money to build a hospital.
Illustrations by Jaime Zollars lean into the number aspect of the books. On one two-page spread, Zollars has drawn 300 babies - about a tenth of the babies that Kate delivered. On another two-page spread is - purportedly - one million pennies.
Margi Preus will be at Zenith Bookstore from 11am-noon on November 1st for a story time and a mini penny parade. Margi will also be at Fitger's Bookstore on November 15th. The book can be purchased at most bookstores and online through the Abrams Books website.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
