6 hours ago4 min read

Nature's Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story - Book Review

Gwen Frostic was a nature loving, resident of Michigan. She became a world-famous artist despite disability.

Lindsey McDivitt's book Nature's Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story is a non-fiction book which offers encouragement and hope to the reader. As a child, Gwen Frostic was not expected to be able to do things like learn to write because of a disability. In spite of that, Frostic (1906 - 2001) became a world famous printmaker of nature.

McDivitt's book is peppered with quotes from Gwen Frostic herself. Often expressing parts of Gwen's story with similes related to animals and other parts of creation is a wonderful way to help the reader see things from a nature lover's perspective.

I have loved learning about Gwen Frostic's life and as a child I met her at her printmaking studio. This book is a beautifully illustrated biography of this Michigan artist.

At the close of the book is a section called "More about Gwen Frostic" and one called Sketch or Print with Nature.

Here's some of her background.

"Gwen Frostic was a physically disabled artist and businesswoman. Despite the odds, she became a very successful artist, writer, nature lover, and entrepreneur. She was born Sara Gwendolen Frostic in Sandusky, Michigan, on April 26, 1906, but was always known as Gwen. At eight months of age, she was sickened by a fever of unknown origins, later thought to be polio. Shortly thereafter, she became lame, her mouth drooped, her hands were stiff, and she spoke with a slight slur. “Experts” saw a limited life for her, in both length and quality. Her parents, Sara and Fred Frostic, did not agree. They did not coddle Ms. Frostic, and instead imbued in her an independence and toughness which served her well through her extraordinary life. She went to school and was expected to do household chores, just like her siblings. Later in life, she reprimanded those who called her handicapped. " (https://www.nps.gov/places/gwen-frostic-studio.htm, 1/1/2025)

Core Value: Resilience

A core value shared is that of resilience, recovering after a difficulty or change.

Gwen Frostic recovered from illness that affected her ability to use her hands and speak. Yet, she and her family did not give up. Instead she worked hard to learn to write and make art. When her family moved to Detroit, she made art using materials like copper. When the United States entered World War II, metal was used for manufacturing equipment for armies. That would be a setback, but Miss Frostic then began to help design tools for airplanes using her technical drawing skills. She moved to northern Michigan to take in nature and share its beauty with others through the prints she made. In her own words, Gwen Frostic said, "I never knew I couldn't do something."

The English word resilience is based in Latin. It comes from re- meaning "back" and salire meaning "jump" or "leap." These parts formed the Latin word "resiliens, present participle of resilire 'to rebound, recoil.' (https://www.etymonline.com/word/resilience)"

When tough things happen in life, will we rebound like Gwen Frostic, or give up? Let's be resilient. A basketball player must keep her head in the game after an opponent makes a shot, then she can rebound. Where would you like to become more resilient?

Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

One deep truth I see in this book is that every person has a purpose only they can do. Clearly Gwen Frostic was called to make art, in spite of physical difficulties. This book shows that every person has value and can bless others. It is good to treat every person with love and respect. Gwen Frostic's life is a testimony to finding beauty in nature.

A Video with Discussion Questions

Here's a link to my video which introduces the book, Nature's Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story.

After your family finds a copy of the book to read, I offer some discussion questions for your children to answer.

If you'd like to order prints, which are still being made at the Gwen Frostic studio, here is a link to their website: https://www.gwenfrostic.com/

Here is a calendar with Gwen Frostic's print on it.

An Activity After Reading the Book

After reading about Gwen Frostic's life, I hope you and your family are encouraged to use beautiful art to brighten other people's days. We can do things like make and write cards to give a message of hope to people in our lives. As a family you can head outside and sketch the beauty your see. Then come inside and copy your art onto paper to make a card for someone! Write a special note to someone and mail it to them.

The Purpose Behind This Book Review

My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews here, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference! Keep reading with purpose!