Hats off to a pair of sisters from L’Anse who have teamed up to write and illustrate a children’s book.

Author Frances D. Maki, and local illustrator Sarah L. Smith are two Anishinaabe and Lakota sisters. The children’s book is written in both Anishinaabemowin “Ojibwe” and the English languages and features rhyming, nature, and colorful pictures.

According to a recent Mining Journal story on all of this, Maki, is the mother of four children and two grandchildren. She lives on the L’Anse Indian Reservation. She is both Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) and Lakota Sioux. Her love of reading began at a young age. She began writing stories for her children when they were small and continues to write today for her grandchildren and future generations.

Smith, meanwhile, is the mother of five children and three grandchildren. She also lives on the L’Anse Indian Reservation. She is both Anishinaabe (ojibwe and Lakota Sioux. According to a press release, Smith has painted acrylics since she was a young girl and is currently learning the Ojibwe language, Anishinaabemong, through the University of Wisconsin. ‘Garden Party’ was published by her business, 8th Fire Consulting, LLC.

These sisters serve to underscore the immense talent found in the Upper Peninsula. Anyone interested in purchasing ‘Garden Party’ is invited to book signing event at 5 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the Ojibwa Community Library in Baraga. Books will be available for sale at the event.

The book is also available through IngramSparks. Individuals can place an order online at anishinaabelakotasisters.com.