Pictured Life: And True Stories from Northern and Upper Michigan

By Anneke Letitia Van Ooyen Crans

In a new world the day before she turns five, Anneke finds herself walking down a pathway leading to her new school in the United States of America.

That’s when she sees a lock and a large brass door handle.

Anneke opens the door, and her life unfolds in this tale highlighting the immigrant experience. Her story takes you through her family’s struggles and toils, and shines a spotlight on the schools, barns, houses, magnificent architecture, and the astonishing sights of nature in Northern and Upper Michigan.

She recalls her adventures singing in the auditorium of North Bessemer School, where four teachers lived on the second floor of the school, and how students memorized verses from the Bible. She also recalls the class bully and the unforgettable blizzard of 1938.

Forward and backward, this story is filled with pictures and reveals a community that finds beauty in nature and strength in each other.

Recommendation - LaVerne Blickley
“Part immigrant memoir, part colorful visuals of natural beauty, this book will speak to and draw forth your own experiences and dreams. The author generously shares through astonishing award-winning pictures and imagery the immigration journey as a young child through adolescence into adulthood. Family life in all its successes and tragedies, its promises and realities, anchors this book into a strong sense of nature’s grandiose strength and endurance. Your own heart and mind will be moved by memories past into reminisces of more recent events and on to inspirations for future road trips and vacations.”

Exquisite– John Van Ooyen
Anne has inquiring and exquisite eyes for nature’s moment, caught by her camera. Anne’s photos bring out the beauty hidden in nature. Anne’s photos are beautiful!

Timeless – Anneke
The promise of new lands, education for immigrant children, large barns of meaningful, architectural design – tell the story … walking, canoeing – discovery, observing. Immersed in nature – use your imagination viewing colorful diversity within nature of wildflowers, birds and insects. “Pictured Life” will stimulate your imagination, as memories of past are relived.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jan 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781665728652

Anneke Letitia Van Ooyen Crans

Anneke Letitia Van Ooyen Crans is a music instructor and flautist, who recently felt renewed as an artist when she began exploring photography and writing. Her photography has been shown in many venues and has received numerous awards. She has performed as principal flutist in local orchestras and bands, has been a choral director, a director of middle and high school bands, and an adjunct professor at GVSU. She earned her bachelor of arts in music education from Calvin University, and a master of arts in music education and flute performance/pedagogy from WMU.

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