WELCOME TO STREAMRIFFS
Books for Little People
Blogs for Big People
Children’s Books by Lori Peelen
Meet the Author
As a kid, you could always find me with animals, books, or both. I collected every stray kitten I could lure home, and tried to rescue every wild creature in distress, much to my mother’s dismay. I also hauled around picture books, begging people to read to me, and trying to read to my dog and cats.
At school I was so shy, always skittering off like a wild rabbit to play by myself. When the bell finally rang, I couldn’t wait to get home to play with my younger brother outdoors, climbing trees, riding bikes, and exploring the stream near our house. At night, if I could make him sit still a minute, I read picture books aloud to us both.
When I grew up, I also grew much braver. I learned to love the company of other human beings, as well as that of animals and books. I got married and had three wonderful boys, who are now all wonderful grown-ups. Today, I live with my husband, two lazy cats, a wily Saint Bernard, and all the wild creatures that share our property. Recently, two pint-sized, bob-kittens startled me while I hung out clothes- they stalked a gaggle of wild turkeys down the hill in front of me. Seeing such tiny, determined little wild-kitties up so close was magical.
My favorite days are spent working on stories that celebrate nature and wild things, rambling in the woods, puttering in my garden, and trying to lure our grown-up kids over for dinner. All day I happily anticipate curling up with a good book when my work is done. I’m convinced that a good book can save the day — if not the world.
Happy Streaming
Our two most precious assets, kids and creeks, with destinies entwined. The kids of today are the defenders of our waterways tomorrow. By enjoying more stream-time than screen-time with our kids, we help protect both our waterways, and our children's wild spirits.
Reaching Halfway to Heaven: California Redwoods and the logger who loved them
Story by Lori Peelen, illustrations by Kathy Goetzel
When I was a kid playing in the forest, I stuck my arm into the hollow of a tree and discovered a diary inside, which led me to learn the story of an early California logging pioneer. Reaching Halfway to Heaven is the true story of a long-ago boy who dreamed of becoming a botanist, but, when hard times hit his family, had to leave school to help support them. In the north woods of California, the most reliable work available was logging-- which meant cutting down the trees he so loved.
Still, dreams have a way of finding their way, in spite of daunting setbacks. Wade became a successful lumberman, an early conservationist, and a self-taught botanist, creating a woodland garden that people still visit today. Learn about early logging practices in California, the importance of redwood trees to our environment, and the Sturgeon's Mill Living History museum and gardens in Sonoma County, California. Stunning illustrations by Kathy Goetzel bring this true story to life. Reaching Halfway to Heaven is a great choice for elementary school unit studies, encompassing history, life science and conservation themes, as well as encouraging kids of all ages to cherish their dreams.
Also available for purchase on Amazon.