PIERRE — It took Black Hills artist Susan Turnbull six months to illustrate a 100-year-old children’s tale.

Turnbull presented her work to the book’s prime audience, children, in Pierre on Friday.

“Everybody seems to really respond to the illustrations because there’s an emotional connection,” she said.

Jeff Bunn | Capital Journal Black Hills artist Susan Turnbull shows her illustrations to a Jefferson Elementary School class Friday afternoon. Turnbull illustrated a 100-year old children’s story written by a doctor on Pine Ridge Reservation. Advertisement

“There’s so many things that are happening with all the different animals in the story, and the emotions are so apparent. That is part of what I love doing. Everybody loves the illustrations. Of course, the story is very funny — a lot of lessons to be learned.”

Turnbull was at Buchanan and Jefferson Elementary showing her illustrations of Charles Eastman and Elaine Goodale Eastman’s “The Raccoon and the Bee Tree,” written 100 years ago on Pine Ridge Reservation where Charles was working as a doctor.

The book is the fourth in the South Dakota State Historical Society Press department’s Prairie Tales series. Each book is a fairy tale set on the plains and prairies of South Dakota.

“This particular story just made me laugh,” Turnbull said. “Having my grandkids listen to it, we just had a blast thinking about what would happen. I drew a couple of sketches and sent them along with my application. I was really pleased they decided they would have me do the book. It was really an honor.”

Saturday, Turnbull was at Prairie Pages signing the book.

Speaking with elementary school students, the Rapid City resident said she hopes students learned that talent takes time to cultivate.

“This question today was, ‘Did you always draw perfectly?’ I love to say, ‘No, not at all,” she said. “Even after all the years of drawing, I start out with sketches. I erase. I change my mind. I move things around. I want them to understand everything takes work and perseverance.”

The book is intended for third- to fifth-graders, said Martyn Beeny, associate editor for South Dakota State Historical Society Press.

“The kids have loved it so far,” Beeny said. “They’re full of questions. They’re loving the illustrations.”

Heath Larson, Buchanan principal, said the visit was treat.

“This was a great opportunity for the kids to listen and ask questions regarding how ideas for writing and illustrating are formulated,” he said.

Kevin Mutchelknaus, with Jefferson Elementary, said he hoped the visit spurred student creativity. 

“Our hope was to open the world of imagination up to students, and for them to learn how using your imagination you can create images through the written word,” he said.

For information about Turnbull visit www.susankturnbull.com; for more information on the Prairie Tales series visit www.prairie-tale.com.