Book excerpt: Unrivaled by any other state for sheer size, Alaska is a land of mystery and wonder to many Americans. Bordered by water on three sides, it remains a remote and last frontier...until now. L is for Last Frontier: an alphabet book written by Carol Crane, takes readers on an informative adventure through the "land of the midnight sun." Lecturer and book reviewer Carol Crane was recently described as "A walking, talking bibliography of children's books." Her twenty-five years in children's literature supply the essential experience to bring Alaska's vast wildlife and culture to children. Alaska's sheer size lends to its diversity, but Carol Crane employs a two-tiered approach and produces a seamless sampling of the state's culture and wildlife. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a rhyme for younger readers: T is for Tundra, a treeless arctic plain. Short warm summers, in winter, a frozen terrain. On the same page, older students can read the sidebar text to gain a richer understanding of the same topic. About the Author: Carol Crane advocates education through reading. She travels extensively and speaks at state reading conventions across the United States. Her thematic approach to learning has been widely accepted and successfully used by many reading teachers. Eight years ago, she founded "Bed, Breakfast and Books," a summer institute for teachers and media specialists across the country. L is for Last Frontier is Carol's 4th book with Sleeping Bear Press. She lives with her husband, Conrad, in Bradenton, Florida. About the Illustrator: Renowned wildlife artist Michael Monroe was the winner of the 1997 Michigan Duck Stamp award.