John Owens is a freelance illustrator and author of One Summer Up North and One Winter Up North, both published by the University of Minnesota Press and inspired by his travels to explore the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in all its seasons.

"A beautiful and welcome celebration of spring in the Boundary Waters that brings the changes of the season to life in delicately rendered illustrations. No words are necessary for readers to delight in the drama John Owens captures of ice-out, wind, waves, and the arrival of life returning to the North. This story makes me want to pack up my gear and head North!"--Lauren Stringer, illustrator and author of Winter Is the Warmest Season