A full-color photoessay captures life among members of the close-knit community on Monhegan Island, a small island off the coast of Maine, from the tranquil isolation of their winters to the huge influx of tourists during the summer season.

In this lavishly illustrated book, the authors have gathered a fascinating selection from 148 artists, some relatively unknown, others due for rediscovery, and many whose work is respected worldwide, such as Rockwell Kent, George Bellows, Edward Hopper, the Wyeths (N.C., Andrew, and Jamie), and Robert Henri.

Monhegan Island, Maine has historically attracted a number of different visitors and workers, each with their own unique reasons for being there. The natural beauty of Monhegan Island has continuously attracted generations of artists, day-trippers, and summer sojourners. White Head, Pulpit Rock, and Cathedral Woods are names that resonate throughout New England and beyond. Long before the first ferry full of seasonal visitors arrived, the Monhegan Island fishermen had established a permanent community on the island, scratching out an existence on a remote offshore outpost. As early as 1890, prominent artists Robert Henri and George Bellows, followed by Rockwell Kent and Jamie Wyeth, captured the magnificence of Monhegan. They shared the cliffs and coves with the lighthouse keepers, carpenters, lobstermen, and the island people.

The McLanes have delved into a wealth of primary sources, using old tax assessments, court records, and early maps, to spin their tales of the early settlers of Maine's islands and their descendants. Here is history as it too seldom is in textbooks: colorful, human, downright irresistible. Each volume is replete with rare vintage photos and dozens of maps and will delight all who love islands, or simply a good read.

*A dreamy Maine night time fantasy. *A hedgehog, six ducks & a red ukulele travel through the evening skies of Maine's MONHEGAN ISLAND from dusk to dawn in this bedtime fantasy picture book set on and above the Island. *Carol-Lynn Rössel's charming detailed digital illustrations were drawn from her own composite photographs of Monhegan & the fuzzy travelers. *She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Artists, New England chapter. *Her delightful TEDDY BEAR designs, both handmade & commercially produced, have delighted children & collectors internationally. *A red ukulele appears in most paintings & the reader is encouraged to find it. *This book will delight young & old travelers to the magical islands off the New England coast, especially those who love the UKULELE. *Many beloved MONHEGAN LANDMARKS as well as nifty maps of the island are pictured. *The author has designed many charming illustrated journals, some featuring the characters in MONHEGAN MAGIC, especially HEDGERIETTA the hedgehog. They include four Maine/New England based ones, published by Yetta Nother Press in paper or hard cover editions, 150 pages each: *MONHEGAN MEMORIES *INSPIRATIONS. a journal *DOCK TALES. A Journal *MAINE MEMORIES *All are available from Amazon.com

Anthony Bailey was a staff writer for The New Yorker for 35 years and is the author of 18 books, including The Inside Passage.