Book by Jan Rinik & Martin Rinik

                A magnificently illustrated celebration of natural beauty through the changing seasons in one of the most spectacular places in the world.

                "Many books have been written about Algonquin Park but the combination of exquisite paintings, drawings and photographs plus extensive factual information presented in this volume is unique. Jan and Martin Rinik communicate their love of Algonquin and understanding of its environment in ways that will fascinate longtime visitors and inspire those who have yet to experience this magnificent park."

     Ron Tozer
     Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) 

Algonquin Park: A Portrait The landscape, wildlife, and ecology of an iconic Canadian treasure Jan Rinik & Martin Rinik Foreword by Dan Strickland Formac Publishing Company April 2014, Hardcover, 213 pages, 9 x 10 inches colour photos, colour and black-and white illustrations, maps ISBN - 10: 1459503120 ISBN - 13: 9781459503120 Price: $ 34.95 To order the book contact publisher at www.formac.ca

Jan sketching at Spruce Bog Trail in Algonquin Park while working on the book	Martin at Algonquin Park Visitor Centre
Jan book signing at Algonquin Park Visitor Centre	Martin with a copy of the book in one of the Indigo-Chapters book stores in Greater Toronto area

                 Book Description

                The book ALGONQUIN PARK: A Portrait. The landscape, wildlife, and ecology of an iconic Canadian treasure is a naturalist's exploration of wildlife through the seasons of one of the most spectacular places in the world. It is a combination of asthetic qualities, and of important information with unique insights. The book is dedicated to all nature lovers and is intended to be a good educational tool, as well as a valuable souvenir especially for Algonquin Park visitors.

             Book Reviews

     "Having had the pleasure of reviewing Martin and Jan Rinik’s book proposal, Algonquin Park: A Portrait, I am very pleased to whole-heartedly endorse its publication. Anyone who has actually been in the Park, on the ground at any season, will find resonant images here, from the most delicate insects and wildflowers to powerful raptors and large mammals. What’s truly extraordinary about this particular publication is the artful combination of original paintings and illustrations, with crisp photographs of the same subject matter on full page spreads—all beautifully laid out with a moody blend of line and colour that evoke Algonquin itself. The result is a breathtaking  mural on every page that keeps you not only taking in what you’re looking at, but eager to turn to the next masterpiece. Many of my personal favourites are grouped together, all nicely embedded in the appropriate season—exactly when and where you would see these unique living things in the park. I was left wanting to grab my paddle, load up my canoe, and get back in there!"

     Monte Hummel O.C.
     President Emeritus, WWF - Canada


     "The brothers Jan and Martin Rinik have written and illustrated a comprehensive description of Algonquin Park. What makes this book a delight are the thoughtfully executed paintings, sketches and photographs that accompany the interesting text.
     The book presents the Park in each of the four seasons. Within each section are descriptions and illustrations of many of the of birds, butterflies, fungi, mammals, plants and trees that are found in the Park at these distinct times of year. This is not a book for the specialist; such books already exist and are listed in the Bibliography. Instead the authors have chosen to focus on the flora and fauna that a non-specialist visitor to the Park can expect to see.
     I would strongly recommend this book to anyone with a general interest in nature and curiosity about Algonquin Park. The book will certainly be helpful to anyone visiting the Park for the first few times, but it should also attract the attention of repeat visitors who are interested in an orderly yet quite detailed overview of the flora and fauna of the Park.
     Almost 45 years ago I made my first visit to Algonquin Park in search of the elusive Spruce Grouse. Since then I have visited the Park on a number of occasions, mostly in the winter months and mostly to cross-country ski. Reading Algonquin Park: A Portrait has rekindled my interest in this magnificent tract of land. In future I plan to explore it in seasons other than winter."

     John E. Black
     Past-president of the Ontario Field Naturalists


     "Over the years I have visited Algonquin Park on many occasions, to view wildlife, camp and photograph both the scenery and the animals. I thought I knew the Park well, but I didn't realize until now that there is so much more! Never before have I seen the Park so well depicted as in the Rinik's new book "Algonquin Park: A Portrail". The text complements the various art media and photographic works superbly. The style of writing is easy to read, understandable, informative and pleasing to the eye. I think I liked best that, as I was reading it, I was learning something on every page! This is a must have for anyone who loves Algonquin or Ontario's northlands."

     Geoffrey Carpentier
     Quest Nature Tour leader and author of "Antarctica - First Journey"


     “The book is a naturalist’s view of one of Ontario’s most iconic parks. It’s writing, while being informative and scientifically accurate, is fluid and at times poetic. The rich illustrations and vivid photography capture the beauty and wonder of nature throughout the seasons. Altogether, a work worthy of this special place.“

     George Finney, PhD
     President of Bird Studies Canada


     “This work is a rich and evocative visual exploration of Algonquin, effectively juxtaposing the enduring qualities of this iconic park with its ephemeral nature.“

     Justin Peter
     Senior Park Naturalist, Algonquin Provincial Park


     “An enthralling combination of art and science, this book manages to evoke the beauty of Algonquin Park while providing fascinating information on its ecosystems and inhabitants. The seasonal format helps the reader understand how the park changes throughout the year. It helps you prepare for a visit while inviting you to enjoy the riches the park has to offer.“

     Mike Cadman
     Coordinator of Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas


      The book review written for The Canadian Field-Naturalist Vol, 129, No. 2, 2015, pages 202-203

     Havng spent part of each of the past 50 years or so working and playing in Algonquin, I am naturally interested in books on my favourite place. Coffee table style books on the Park are many, but rather stereotyped, usually full of photos of sunsets and close ups of wolves, moose, bears, and loons. Despite spending 1000's of hours in the Algonquin wilds, I rarely have close encounters with these icons; rather it is mosquitoes, biting flies, green frogs, turtles, leeches, dragonflies, mosses, and trees that I encounter often. Those photos of winsome wolf faces seldom evoke any sense of nostalgia or reminiscence in me. I was therefore pleasantly surprised on opening this book to feel a yearning to get back to the Park, to again smell the pinery summer air, the moldy, snapping turtle essence of fall, to see babbling spring freshets, and hear frogs and those warblers whose songs I must relearn each year. This is a beautiful book, lovingly produced and lavishly illustrated, not with repeated close up photographs of charismatic megafauna, though there are some, but with landscapes, often beautifully painted or drawn. And that is not all. There are many pencil drawings of birds, mammals, insects, fish, plants, and fungi often interspersed with crisp photographs and paintings of these "other" fauna and flora. The ultimate effect of this splendid assemblage of form, colour, and scenery was to create a visceral need to get back out there, and experience that special evocation of the senses that is the Ontario wilderness. Sadly, I first opened the book in winter, over 1000 km from the Park. Happily, with this splendid book, I could now be there. I have spent several hours scattered through the endless snowstorms of the 2014-15 Maritimes' winter gazing at the paintings and photos of the four seasons of Algonquin.
     In the Preface, the Riniks make the interesting point that many visitors to the Park see much less than they expected. Certainly, this is true for the busy summer season when zillions of vacationers race along Highway 60, only screeching to halt whan a hapless moose is spotted. In summer, the highway and campgrounds are filled with people, dogs, radios, cell phones, and the cursed WiFi. As a child, I was similarly dissapointed on my first trip to Algonquin in the family sedan, as in mid-July we drove across Highway 60 from west to east and back and saw nary a single bit of identifiable wildlife, not even the wild Indians which I thought might lurk in the bushes. Disappointment is to be expected when we have been conditioned to expect wildlife frolicking at every kilometer. The Riniks say they hope to bring the reader closer to the wildlife. I think they do something far better. They give the reader a sense of the variety of experiences available and of the variety of perceptions attached to each of these experiences. A painted landscape or flower differs from a photograph or line drawing. Every page presents something different in scale, diversity, season, and illustrative style. It is delightful.
     The book starts with a brief history of the Park and some facts and figures on its size, numbers of bird, mammal, etc. species. Here and throughout the text is readily grasped information for the newcomer and light refresher for the hardcore gourmet. Relaxing stuff. The rest of the book is organized into four chapters, one for each season. As in real life, I found the spring and fall most enjoyable, summer a bit heavy on green and charisma, and winter spartan and Canadian, and seriously attractive. The summer does have more coverage of individual species, though my experience is that most of them are less likely to be observed then, because of the human hurly burly. The number of pages devoted to each season is: spring 44, summer 70, fall 40, and winter 20.
     This is perfect coffee table book to me. It is beautifully laid out, the reproductions and production in general are wealth of colour and visual detail of excellent quality. I particularly appreciated this quality as this is a Canadian publication, and very affordably priced too. Canada can still do it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has or wishes to indulge in the beauty of Algonquin. If you are stuck in dreary suburbia, a sterile office, or a humbling hospital bed, this book will conjure up the real thing, and lift your spirits, and there will be no black flies, icy winds, long drives on the 400, or bear that will bite your feet. You can be transported to a heavenly place with a glass of wine for a companion.

     Ron Brooks

             Sample double-page spreads
                Copyrighted material

Copyright notice

                All images (artworks and photographs) on this site are Copyright © 1996-2023 by Martin Rinik and Jan Rinik/Nature Illustrated. They may not be used in any means without prior written permission. Thank you for understanding.