Retired elementary teacher releases third children’s book

Retired Bigfork Elementary School teacher, Sharon Lamar has written and illustrated “Wild at Heart,” a children’s book about a young girl’s unforgettable hike into the wilderness. Along the trail, she and her family are in awe of all that nature has to offer.

Teacher turned author and illustrator, Lamar strives to inspire her readers to get outside and discover nature just as she did as a youngster exploring the open spaces on her family’s farm.

Her children’s books reflect her passionate belief in connecting children with the natural world. “Wild at Heart” tells the story of a three-day backpacking trip of a young girl and her family in the Mission Mountains Wilderness. Through the young girl’s eyes, the reader can share the experience of meeting a hummingbird, savoring juicy huckleberries, fishing a mountain lake and climbing a mountain for the first time.

“As a first-grade teacher at Bigfork Elementary School, I often took my students for walks along the Swan River Nature Trail to identify wildflowers, birds, butterflies, and animal tracks,” Lund said. “The students marveled at every curiosity along the trail. Their enthusiasm about the natural world was the impetus for writing my two children’s field guides about wildflowers and butterflies. When children read my books, I hope they are inspired to get outside, connect with nature, and appreciate their natural heritage.”

The lovingly rendered watercolor illustrations reflect Lamar’s fascination with the towering mountains, dazzling wildflowers and diverse wildlife of Montana.

Lamar’s three previous children’s books include “Montana Moonshadows: A Trek in the Swan Valley Forest,” “Mountain Wildflowers for Young Explorers: An A to Z Guide,” and “Western Butterflies for Young Explorers: An A to Z Guide.”

To order a copy of her latest book or learn more, contact Lamar at lamar@blackfoot.net or visit www.farcountrypress.com.