Mindy Dwyer
reviews

The Salmon Princess, An Alaskan Cinderella is another fine addition to the growing literal wonders from Mindy Dwyer. Dwyer, who has moved to Port Townsend, WA has two talents: she can write a form of prose/poetry that sings directly to the soul, and she can create art that delights. Here, she adapts the Cinderella story to a timeless Alaskan setting. This Cinderella goes to the dance wearing a dress that shimmers with woven silver like salmon scales, given to her by an eagle. She wears the dress of course over her rubber fishing boots. This story does not naturally lend itself to the soaring style Dwyer likes to employ in her illustrations. but she has managed to keep the fire and magic that characterize her visuals. Detailed studies in sophistication and composition, each illustration advances the story while it makes a home in the viewers eye. Her work has the dignity and beauty that is rare in any form of art.
-Dan Hayes, THE STATEMAN JOURNAL, SALEM, OR, Sunday November 20, 2005

³Dwyer has mastered her craft beautifully-clear, bright colors; washes that add texture to so flat a medium; and colorful characters that bound across the earth and sky.²
-Arts Review, Anchorage Daily News, Oct 1997

³Aurora is a beautiful story, beautifully told.²
-Children¹s Bookwatch Dec 1997

²This fanciful exploration of the origins of Aurora Borealis, the northern lights, is a scrumptious delight."
 -Publisher¹s Weekly Nov 1997

³With an interesting layout (Coyote In Love) and typography supporting an appealing tale, this is a worthy addition to collections.²
­School Library Journal, July 1997

³Dwyer (Alaska's Three Pigs) hasn¹t given up on her amazing compositions and this time she reveals a penchant for wicked visual puns!²
       -Dan Hays, Statesman Journal, Salem, OR

²Dwyer¹s (Quilt of Dreams) softly shaded watercolors exude cheeriness and warmth, and her patterns create a coziness befitting her subject.²
-Publisher¹s Weekly, Oct 2000

³The bright luminous illustrations (Aurora) that accompany this charming story make the magic of the northern lights seem as simple as a gift to a young girl. Aurora is a beautiful story, beautifully told.²
-Children¹s Bookwatch

³Readers will smile at Coyote¹s arrogance and the star¹s sassy rebuff. The illustrations are painted in vibrant purples, turquoise and blues offset by soft greens and yellows. Coyote¹s stylized figure reflects the pointed shape of his beloved star. With an Interesting layout and typography supporting an appealing tale, this is a worthy addition to collections.² -School Library Journal

³This beautiful illustrated children¹s book (Quilt of Dreams) weaves a traditional tale around the value of working hard to create something that is artful, the power of traditions and the value of respecting and honoring family elders. This book has value for the elementary school library and it is the kind of book that mothers and grandmothers would enjoy reading to daughters and granddaughters.²
-School Arts

³In heartwarming fashion Dwyer (Quilt of Dreams) brings together lots to talk about: the importance of tradition, the history of quilting in this country and the idea of creating a tangible object as a way of remembering a loved one.² ­Booklist

³The crisp, white landscapes (Winter Is) are complemented by purple and blue backgrounds, and Dwyer¹s watercolor technique gives the impression of swirling snowflakesŠA poetic choice for seasonal storytime.²
- School Library Journal

           " Mindy¹s books have sparked an interest in Asia; Coyote In Love was recently reprinted in Korean and there is interest to print
Aurora as well as Sweet Dreams in Japanese."

 

Awards

2000-Children¹s Book Council; Not Just for Kids Anymore

2000-The Valerie & Walter¹s Best Book for Children

1999-Bonnie; Best of the North Award

1998-Bookbuilders West, Award of Excellence

1995-Woodie; Silver Award for original illustration

1996-Society of Newspaper Design; Award of Excellence

 1996-Career Opportunity Grant; State of Alaska