Author Event: How the Birds Got Their Songs

Join author Travis Zimmerman and illustrator Sam Zimmerman for a signing of their children’s book How the Birds Got Their Songs.

How the Birds Got Their Songs is the winner of the Heartland Booksellers Award in the children’s picture book category and was honored at the Heartland Fall Forum on October 14, 2025 in Indianapolis.

This treasured story, handed down through author Travis Zimmerman’s family, features traditional knowledge from the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Grand Portage descendant Sam Zimmerman’s vibrant illustrations showcase his stylized artistry and deep appreciation for feathered creatures. Marcus Ammesmaki’s retelling in Ojibwemowin brings the story full circle, encouraging language learners to explore this age-old depiction of our natural world — and inviting all readers to cherish the gift of birdsong.