North Dakota writer and musician, Jessie Veeder, released her first children’s book, “Prairie Princess” this month. To celebrate, she is touring libraries statewide to conduct a reading, signing, discussion, and creative activity for all ages. She will make a stop at the Minot Public Library on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m.

“Prairie Princess” is a celebration of rural living and our connection to the land told through the perspective of a young girl. Illustrated by North Dakota artist Daphne Johnson Clark and inspired by Jessie’s childhood on her family’s ranch in western North Dakota, “Prairie Princess” features a little girl as the expert tour guide and caretaker of the land that she knows well and highlights what it’s like to be captivated and responsible for a place. 

Veeder’s visit to the library will be focused on reading the book and discussing the inspiration behind it and what it takes to go from an idea to print. She will share some music and conduct a creative writing and art project to encourage participants of all ages to explore and commemorate the place they love most.

Veeder will be available for a meet and greet and book signing after the workshop. The book will be available for purchase at the event.

Veeder will also appear the same evening at the Carnegie Center for a concert at 6 p.m. as part of the Minot Arts Council on the Arts Concert Series. Veeder was originally scheduled to perform at the Arts in the City December concert, but had to reschedule due to weather. Both events are free to the public.

Veeder is a former columnist for The Minot Daily News and released her first album when she was 16. Since then, she has continued a successful music and creative writing career. Her 2015 album, “Northern Lights,” took her to Nashville to record with Bill Warner, a producer who has worked with artists such as Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton and many others. Veeder’s skill as a songwriter and storyteller shows in songs that remain rooted in the stories of her western North Dakota home. Her weekly writing can be found on www.veederranch.com.

For more information on Jessie Veeder’s work visit www.jessieveedermusic.com and for more information about the event contact the Minot Public Library at 852-1045.

This project is supported in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the North Dakota Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.