by Karen Konnerth (Author)
Kate, a tall-tale heroine born on a Mississippi River shanty boat, frustrates her ma's attempts to tame her until she astounds everyone by defeating a hurricane through the blaring cacophony of a truly American instrument--the steamboat calliope. A fact-based tale in the tradition of Paul Bunyan, Kate's adventure invites the reader into a unique aspect of American history while bringing to life a strong girl who never gives up and finds her true voice.
Author Biography
Karen Konnerth's extensive work as a professional puppeteer became the foundation for her specialization in arts-integrated teaching and visual storytelling. From Indonesia to Patagonia, South Africa to Oman, Italy to rural Louisiana, and everywhere in between, Konnerth shares and nurtures stories for and by children to cultivate a curious, imaginative, and open-eyed world. Konnerth lives just across the river from the New Orleans French Quarter and hears the steamboat calliopes every day.