Publisher's Note

How the Birds Got Their Songs won a 2025 Heartland Booksellers Award

Travis Zimmerman and Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik, author and illustrator of the Minnesota Historical Society Press book How the Birds Got Their Songs, have won the 2025 Heartland Booksellers Award in the Children’s Picture Book category. In both English and Ojibwemowin, the book narrates a contest judged by the Great Creator, and highlights one bird whose cleverness results in the most beautiful (if most hidden) song.

Travis is the site manager at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post in Onamia, which is part of the Minnesota Historical Society’s network of historic sites and museums. Sam, his cousin, is an artist located in Duluth whose work is widely exhibited; his book Following My Spirit Home was also published by MNHS Press. 

How the Birds Got Their Songs was inspired by a treasured story handed down through generations in the Zimmerman family, and is based on traditional knowledge from the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. “I'm honored that so many people enjoyed this story passed down from my great-grandmother. It was great to work on this book with my cousin to preserve our family’s history and to connect the next generation to their heritage,” said Travis.

“Working on this project with Travis and Sam has been an absolute joy,” said Shannon Pennefeather, Managing Editor at the Minnesota Historical Society Press. “We’re thrilled by this recognition of the value of Indigenous storytelling in children’s literature and grateful to independent booksellers who have embraced this beautiful book and helped to place it in readers’ hands.”

This prestigious annual award is given by two professional organizations, the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association (MIBA) and the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association (GLIBA), to celebrate stories that reflect the culture and voices of our region. Finalists in five categories (Picture Book, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, YA/Middle Grade) were selected by booksellers, and were open to voting. Winners in this category for previous years include such prominent authors as Jacqueline Woodson, Kao Kalia Yang, and Philip C. Stead. Winners in other categories for 2025 include John Green, Nghi Vo, Marcie R. Rendon, and Anton Treuer. See the full list here.

Travis and Sam will attend the award ceremony at the Heartland Fall Forum in Indianapolis, October 14 through 16. 

New Releases

The new cookbook from rising media star Stephanie Hansen releases in September, the same month that the Minnesota History Center opens its newest exhibit, Julia Child: A Recipe for Life, an immersive look into a culinary icon and television personality. Throughout the year, our cookbooks will be featured in connection with the exhibit—learn more here.

True North Cabin Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes from a Cozy Kitchen

Stephanie Hansen

Join bestselling cookbook author and popular media personality Stephanie Hansen at her midwestern table to celebrate food, family, and friends with charming tales and delicious recipes for the colder months of the year. Whether you've dog-eared every page in Stephanie's first True North Cabin Cookbook and are eagerly awaiting more inspiration or this is your introduction to Stephanie's signature style, "Volume Two" has something for everyone—and can just as easily stand on its own as complete the set. 

“We always say: Stephanie’s a total firecracker! From the moment you meet her, you feel that spark, that warmth, that joy. And this book? It’s so her. Think comforting Midwest classics, stories that make you smile, and flavors that bring people together. It’s like sitting around the table with an old friend—full of heart, full of flavor, and with just the right amount of sass.” —Alia Elkaffas and Radwa Elkaffas, creators of Food Dolls and authors of Pretty Delicious

“True North Cabin Cookbook is my idea of a very good time. From Hot Pickle Dip to Juicy Lucy Cheeseburger Tater Tot Hot Dish to Baked Ziti with Meatballs to Beer Cheese Wild Rice Soup, I want to cook (and eat!) everything . . . preferably while sipping on a Cranberry Old-Fashioned, with Stephanie by my side, regaling me with stories.” —Jessie Sheehan, author of Snackable Bakes and The Vintage Baker

“Stephanie has perfectly curated all of these recipes: on every page, all I see is cozy and homey! This book is great for accessible yet unexpected weeknight dinner inspiration, featuring a bunch of unique combinations that highlight flavors you and your loved ones already enjoy.” —Hayden Haas, author of Simply Delishaas

Book launch: September 21, 1:00 PM, American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis (ticketed event)

Events

Twin Cities Metro

9/11/2025, 6:00 PM, Lori Sturdevant, Martin Sabo: The Making of the Modern Legislature, Hagfors Center, Augsburg University, book launch, free, registration required, Minneapolis

9/21/2025, 1:00 PM, Stephanie Hansen, True North Cabin Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes from a Cozy Kitchen, American Swedish Institute, book launch, ticketed event, registration required, Minneapolis

10/1/2025,  4:00 PM,  Wendi Zelkin Rosenstein, The Lincoln Del Cookbook: Best-Loved Recipes from the Legendary Bakery and Deli, Edina Senior Center, free, registration required, Edina

10/4/2025, 1:00 PM, Frank Bures, Pushing the River: An Epic Battle, a Lost History, a Near Death, and Other True Canoeing Stories, Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul

10/8/2025, 7:00 PM, Lori Sturdevant, Martin Sabo: The Making of the Modern Legislature, Subtext Bookstore, St. Paul

Greater Minnesota

9/13/2025, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Molly Beth Griffin, Rings of Heartwood: Poems on Growing, Anderson Center, Minnesota Children's Book Festival, Red Wing

9/18/2025, 7:00 PM, Ka F. Wong, Enmity and Empathy: Japanese Americans in Minnesota during World War II, Content Bookstore, Northfield

9/25/2025, 5:30 PM, Ben Schierer, Perpich: A Minnesota Original, Minnesota Discovery Center, Chisholm

10/10/2025, 9:00 AM, Patty Wetterling and Joy Baker, Dear Jacob: A Mother's Journey of Hope,  Day at Home, Region 4 South Mental Health Consortium, Alexandria

10/12/2025, 9:00 AM, Patty Wetterling and Joy Baker, Dear Jacob: A Mother's Journey of Hope, Central Minnesota Aging with Attitude Expo, Sauk Centre

National

9/26/2025, Patty Wetterling and Joy Baker, Dear Jacob: A Mother's Journey of Hope, South Dakota Festival of Books, keynote address, ticketed event, Spearfish, SD

In the Media

David LaRochelle and Colleen Muske, How to Draw a Tree, "'How to Draw a Tree' teaches us to slow down and observe," KAXE 91.7 Radio.

David LaRochelle and Colleen Muske, How to Draw a Tree, "Literary calendar for week of Aug. 17," Pioneer Press.

Lori Sturdevant, Martin Sabo: The Making of the Modern Legislature, "Biography details the life of N.D. native & late Minnesota Congressman Martin Sabo," AM 1110 The Flag.

Stephanie Hansen, True North Cabin Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes from a Cozy Kitchen, Foreword Reviews.

Stephanie Hansen, True North Cabin Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes from a Cozy Kitchen, "It’s Taste day in the Cambria Kitchen, and local makers will be dishing up fun," Minnesota Star Tribune.

Frank Bures, Pushing the River: An Epic Battle, a Lost History, a Near Death, and Other True Canoeing Stories, "Literary calendar for week of Aug. 31," Pioneer Press.

Ben Schierer, Perpich: A Minnesota Original, "Lake Agassiz Regional Library announces fall event series," Frazee Forum. 

Thomas Peacock and Allison Horner, The Naming of Aki, "Readers and writers: A reading list for a thrilling fall," Pioneer Press. 

Stephanie Hansen, True North Cabin Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes from a Cozy Kitchen, "Stephanie Hansen’s two-decade journey to becoming ‘kind of famous,’" Minnesota Star Tribune. 

Ka. F Wong, Enmity and Empathy: Japanese Americans in Minnesota during World War II, "Ka F. Wong Author Talk - Northfield," Fairbault Daily News. 

Noteworthy

Allison Horner's illustrations for our October children's picture book, The Naming of Aki, have been chosen by a jury at the Society of Illustrators to be included in The Original Art 2025 Exhibition of Children's Book Illustration. The ceremony will be held on November 14, 2025, at the Society of Illustrators in New York City.

Red Stained: The Life of Hilda Simms by Jokeda "JoJo" Bell made the Short List for the Museum of African American History Stone Book Award. Bell's book is one of twelve on the list and was selected out of 141 eligible submissions. The Stone Book Award submissions are judged based on their scholarship and accessibility, with an eye toward identifying exceptional works that spark dialogue within and across social and racial groups. They represent the museum’s core belief that understanding the history of African Americans is integral to understanding collective American history. The winner and two finalists will be recognized at the 2025 MAAH Stone Book Award event on October 9, 2025, at the African Meeting House in Boston, MA. 

New in MNopedia

Hungry Mind Bookstore

In its nearly thirty-four years, from 1970 to 2004, the Hungry Mind grew from a tiny neighborhood bookshop to a regional powerhouse with a national reach. It became a favored venue for appearances by hundreds of authors of local, national, and international stature. Its quarterly book review, the Hungry Mind Review, reached tens of thousands of readers in all fifty states and across Canada. Its press, Hungry Mind Press, published fifty titles. It promoted the local literary arts, especially small presses, poetry and fiction, and their creators. Financial pressures forced it to close in the summer of 2004.

Letter from Moses Dickson to T. M. Fullerton, 1857

On March 24, 1857, abolitionist and St. Paul resident Moses Dickson wrote a scathing open letter to the Minnesota Weekly Times about freedom, democracy, and citizenship for Black Americans. Although it was addressed to a land agent named T. M. Fullerton, the letter appealed to all white Minnesotans to recognize the humanity of their Black neighbors. It provides a record of one man’s response to racial inequality in Minnesota (and across the United States) in the 1850s.

Forthcoming Releases

The Naming of Aki

Story by Thomas Peacock
Illustrations by Allison Horner

This retelling of a traditional Ojibwe story celebrates what First Human and First Wolf see, taste, hear, smell, and touch as they wander Aki, the Earth, to be the namers of things.

The story begins: “In the time soon after the creation, Nimaamaa Aki, Mother Earth, was new and without names, so the Creator called upon First Human to walk upon Aki, the Earth, and name all things.” First Human sets off on a journey that will take him to every corner of Aki and introduce him to all creatures, plants, landforms, and emotions. It’s a meaningful and joyful trek—and one best taken with a companion. The Creator calls upon Ma’iingan, Wolf, to join First Human so they can explore together. 

Accompanied by Allison Horner’s vibrant illustrations, this affecting retelling by elder and educator Thomas Peacock invites readers to appreciate our world and all its wonders, including the close kinship that humans and wolves share—from ancient times to today.

Pub Date: October 7

Becoming the Twin Cities: Swindles, Schemes, and Enduring Rivalries

Drew M. Ross

Whether motivated by visionary ideals or commercial gain or political ambition, many have tried to unite Minneapolis and St. Paul into one city, and all have failed. Award-winning writer Drew M. Ross uncovers the nineteenth-century history of scheming and self-dealing, social rivalries and political grudges, and utopian idealism and personal ambition that explain how Minneapolis and St. Paul became and stayed the separate cities we know today. 

Beginning with the story of Fort Snelling’s founding and Joseph Plympton’s expansion of a reserve around it, Ross follows up with the land-grabbing and moneymaking schemes of Henry Rice and Franklin Steele, explores the rivalries between local Republicans and Democrats (and their partisan newspapers), and details the battles over the locations and significance of the capitol, the state fair, and the Midway neighborhood. 

Becoming the Twin Cities examines the historical underpinnings of a beloved American metropolitan region’s unique identity.

Pub Date: November 11

Did you know MNHS has a podcast?

Bestselling Backlist

The Forever Sky by Thomas Peacock	True North Cabin Cookbook by Stephanie Hansen	Minnesota History Spring 2025 (69.5)