Ann Dixon - Big Enough Anna

Illustrations copyright by Bill Farnsworth and Alaska Northwest Books. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No reproduction or transmission without written permission of the publisher. Text copyright Ann Dixon. All rights reserved. Please contact for permission to use.

Big-Enough Anna
The Little Sled Dog Who Braved the Arctic
Bill Farnsworth, illustrator
32 pages, Hardbound, $15.95, ISBN 0-88240-577-2
Softbound, $8.95, ISBN 0-88240-580-2
Alaska Northwest Books

Patricia Gallagher Award,
Oregon Reading Association, 2005.

Selected by the Alaska Library Association
for the 2004-05 Battle of the Books.

The idea for Big-Enough Anna began when I was working with Pam Flowers to tell the story of her remarkable dog mushing expedition in Alone Across the Arctic. Pam mentioned that she'd like to create a separate book about Anna, her lead dog, at some point in the future.

By the time we were done with Alone Across the Arctic, I understood why. Anna was a special character in the dramatic events of that journey. Anna stood out, not because she was big or strong or particularly fast, or even because she was clever (which she is) but because she always tried her hardest. More than once, this young dog's incredible persistence not only saved the lives of her team mates and musher, but enabled them to finish the expedition despite nearly overwhelming difficulties.

My admiration for Anna only increased as I got to know her. When Pam was away on speaking tours, she left Anna and some of her teammates in our family's care. My oldest daughter did all the feeding and cleaning; my task, certainly the most fun, was to walk the dogs. I found Anna to be observant, well behaved and sensitive to her environment. She was also loyal to her teammates - and wily. Once, when she slipped her dog collar, I nearly despaired of ever catching her. Fortunately, she didn't roam, but stayed closed to her friends, who were still attached to their doghouses, but she refused to be lured or fooled into capture. Finally, my husband managed to catch her, using a combination of food and a snare. I breathed a huge sigh of relief! Anna was safe and seemed to bear no grudges.

Anna's development from a curious puppy to an exceptional lead dog is an inspiration to all of us who ever feel the urge to give up. If she could talk, I suspect her favorite saying would be "Let's go!"

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"Destined to be a classic ... With stunning illustrations and a
heartwarming story, Big-Enough Anna will make the darkest day
lighter. If you don't have a child to buy this for, buy it anyway!"
-- Trisha McConnell, Certified Animal Behaviorist,
Host of NPR's Calling All Pets

Patricia Gallagher Award, Oregon Reading Association, 2005.

Big Enough Anna was selected by the Alaska Library Association
for the 2004-05 Battle of the Books.

For more information about this book, including a downloadable Study Guide, visit http://www.gacpc.com/kids_studyguides.htm.

For more information about the illustrator, visit www.billfarnsworth.com.

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