Montana books helping fund Glacier Institute

Best-selling children's author Bruce Larkin has created four Montana-related books and is donating 50 percent of book sales to the Glacier Institute in an effort to increase national park awareness and education.

"We feel very fortunate to be the recipient of this generous grant," said Mary Robertson, Glacier Institute board member. "Glacier National Park is something every child should get to experience."

Larkin has more than 400 children's books in print. He recently published "Glacier Park Things," "Glacier Park Predators," "Yellowstone Animals" and "Carlos and Juan Visit Yellowstone."

"I wrote these books with the intention of getting children excited about Glacier Institute," Larkin said. "I really love Montana and am thrilled to be able to help other people experience its beauty."

Books are being made available to all Montana schools at a discounted rate of $1 per book.

The Glacier Institute will receive 50 cents for each book purchased. Based on Larkin's previous success with book sales all over the United States, he expects to raise tens of thousands of dollars every year with this offer.

"Our programs have traditionally done very well in the West," said Glen Jensen, marketing director for Wilmington Book Source, the exclusive distributor of Larkin's children's books. "We know that once teachers find out about the Montana books and Bruce's donation to Glacier Institute, they will get excited and help make the program a huge success."

Books are available at www.wilbooks.com.

The Glacier Institute serves children and adults as an educational leader in the Crown of the Continent ecosystem with Glacier National Park at its center.

Emphasizing outreach and field-based learning experiences, the institute provides an objective understanding of the area's ecology and its interaction with people.