Creative Editions Mankato (MN) USA – 2026
KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW
“Pritelli condenses a lesser-known bit of history connecting the U.S. and Russia.
In 1725, Captain Vitus Bering, under orders from Peter the Great, embarked on an expedition to find a link between America and Asia. The mission failed, but Bering was unwilling to give up, and so in 1733 began the Great Northern Expedition, charting Russia’s northern shoreline and parts of Alaska and Japan…” more
FOREWORD REVIEWS
“Narrating Russia’s eighteenth-century push toward the Bering Strait from the perspective of Laurentz, a captain’s son, this illuminating picture book brings history to life via beautiful realist illustrations that focus on wide, wild landscapes and flora and fauna. A spirit of adventure is evoked as Laurentz and his fellow travelers prepare for their trip, facing challenges including clouds of mosquitoes, scurvy, and ice that seems to stretch forever, working toward an ending that ‘is only the beginning’. “
HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY
“(…) Author and illustrator Maria Cristina Pritelli captures the setting beautifully with soft, lush artwork, making this a visually stunning picture book. While the intended audience of readers ages 8 and up may enjoy the lovely land and seascapes, the history behind the story will likely be a stretch for an audience that young. Older readers studying cartography and voyages are more likely to find it intriguing and may be led to research more about Bering’s first journey.” more
From “The Great Northern Expedition”
