Thanks to Mike’s Butcher Shop for their support. Hosting a dinner party? Simply looking for something quick and easy? From fresh cuts to grill-ready kabobs, you’ll find everything you need at Mike’s.
West St. Paul resident Melissa Rousu wrote a children’s book exploring wildlife and the bond between a grandfather and grandchildren. Grandpa Loved Wild Things is a story about Rousu’s late grandfather, Bill Drazkowski, who was a resident of Winona and a nature photographer and raptor rehabilitator.
“Putting yourself in a natural environment helps you to slow down and make memories with those you love.”
Melissa Rousu
About Melissa Rousu
Rousu lives in West St. Paul with her husband Mike and daughter Samantha. She’s lived here for 17 years, though Mike is a third generation West St. Paul resident. Rousu is the director of Strategic Initiatives at the Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence.
Grandpa Loved Wild Things is available on Amazon. Rousu will also be selling the book at WSP Pride.
A Conversation With Melissa Rousu About Grandpa Loved Wild Things
We talked with Rousu about her book, her grandfather, and nature in West St. Paul.
What motivated you to write a children’s book?
My grandfather was an amazing man. He taught me and my brother so much about birds and wildlife during his time as a raptor rehabilitator, and I wanted to continue his legacy by teaching children a bit about birds as well. Also new members are joining our family and they will never get a chance to know him, so this is a small way to teach them a bit about our amazing grandfather.
What memories stand out from your time with your grandfather?
The first story I mention is about the snowy owl. I remember being 5 and going through the woods—through what felt like feet of snow—to find a snowy owl that a member of the Winona Bird Club (which he founded) reported seeing. That was a lot of our childhood, a report of a bird sighting and we were off to see if we could find it and he could get a photograph of it. He was an accomplished nature photographer. While we went to find the reported bird he would tell us interesting facts about the animals. It was his passion and he shared it with us every chance he could get.
How has your grandfather’s love of nature influenced you?
Every time I see a bird I am reminded of him and the special way we grew up. Most children aren’t able to help release a bald eagle or great horned owl back into the wild and watch that freedom they gain after flying again following an injury. Those are memories and experiences that I will never lose. From founding the Winona Bird Club to creating brochures about birding on the Mississippi, he also sought to teach others about the beautiful creatures that live in our state. The amount of people who have reached out since publishing the book to talk about how he influenced their life or how nice he was or how much he taught them has meant the world to me.
How autobiographical is this story? Real talk—were you the granddaughter who almost fell out of the canoe?
Yes I am! This is a story of my life growing up around amazing animals and an amazing man. That is why I included the photos at the end of the story to show that he was real so there are photos of “my” raccoon climber as well as a few of bird releases.
West St. Paul has a lot of parks and preserved nature—especially at Dodge Nature Center. Does that influence your pride in West St. Paul?
I love that we not only have a lot of opportunities to explore nature in West St. Paul but that as a community we take pride in that access. I added a page to the book for kids to draw or write their own experiences finding wild things. My hope is this book leads kids and families back outdoors to see what nature holds and make those lifelong memories.
Do you make getting out in nature a priority? Where do you like to go? Do you rescue critters?
I wish I could do the amazing rehab work my grandfather did but unfortunately that was left with him. I love getting out and wandering around our amazing parks and especially Dodge Nature Center. To me there is a great importance to cherish nature and preserve it for future generations to explore. My daughter and I love to go hammocking at local parks and just talk and enjoy the scenery.
Why is it important to notice and care for wild things?
It’s important because they will disappear. Putting yourself in a natural environment helps you to slow down and make memories with those you love. Like nature, time with those we love is also fragile. I hope that is also a message people take away from the book.
Do you plan to write more books?
Yes, I plan to do Grandpa Loved the Farm about my husband’s grandfather and one called Grandpa Loved the North Shore about our time as a family in Grand Marais.
Thanks to Melissa Rousu for sharing with us. You can find Grandpa Loved Wild Things on Amazon.
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