P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>For centuries, Oak Island, located off the shores of Nova Scotia, has been the center of folklore involving a hidden treasure, but this story is not a typical treasure tale or pirate adventure. Instead, it focuses on the not-so-secret treasure that Oak Island offers: a delightful environment to play and daydream in, and an escape from the hustle and bustle of the real world. Illustrating that life’s most valuable riches are often gifts from nature, this book teaches children the folly of placing too much value on material things. Organic pencil drawings and sketches help convey the richness of the environment and inspire kids to go out and look for the magic that surrounds them in nature.

Mary Anne Donovan's profile page

Travis Hiltz's profile page

Mary Anne Donovan was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She grew up on the cusp of the downtown cultural and artistic district in a neighborhood known to locals as Georgetown, where the colorful streets and characters inspired her to write creatively at an early age. While dabbling in prose and creative writing, Mary Anne completed a Bachelor of Science from Memorial University. She pursued a career in the Biotechnology field, which brought her to Chester, Nova Scotia, and led to publication in several scientific journals. After the birth of her second daughter and countless weekends spent at the beach, hiking, adventuring with small children and enjoying life’s simple moments, Mary Anne combined her passions for nature and writing in Oak Island — A Tale of Two Treasures. She lives in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia with her husband and two toddling jewels, Sophie and Norah. Travis Hiltz is an illustrator. He lives in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

"Oak Island is a lovely first book by Lunenburg's Mary Anne Donovan and her husband Travis Hiltz. The real treasure, Donovan writes at the end of her delightful rhyming journey, 'is not just below, it's the island itself.' Hiltz's coloured-pencil artwork has a playful feel that made me smile as I read the story." “The Chronicle Herald (July 31, 2011)

"The book is an excellent way to teach young children to value the beauty of the natural world. Donovan's writing is meandering without being boring, detailed without being daunting." “Our Children