Peggy Kochanoff’s house is tucked away on the corner of a dirt road and appears as if from a fairytale. Brick pathways, long hedges, ponds, hanging birdfeeders, trellises and prancing cats define the quaint shelter.

The inside is cozy, with dozens of nature and animal paintings. It’s a reflection of what’s outside; a nature-lover’s paradise.

Kochanoff moved into her Falmouth farmhouse in 1970. With an eagerness for painting and a house becoming overcrowded with unseen artworks, she decided to find a creative way to share her passions.

Setting out to produce a first book entitled A Field Guide to Nearby Nature was a slow and difficult process, Kochanoff said. “To get a book published was quite something because I couldn’t get it done in Nova Scotia, but a publisher in Montana finally produced the book.”

It’s hard to get a book published and it’s impossible to make a living writing or illustrating books, Kochanoff said, but this hobby provides a purpose. “Learning. I just love nature so much and I want everyone else to love nature so we’ll take care of it.”

When kids can get excited about finding a bug, a bird or a plant and appreciate nature more because of reading a book, then it has served its purpose, Kochanoff said. “I think if you appreciate nature - if you know the names of things and you know how things are working - you’re not going to ruin them and pollute them as much.”

Literary and artistic profusion

A Field to Nearby Nature, written and illustrated by Kochanoff, was published in 1994 and Hollows, Peepers, and Highlanders, illustrated by Kochanoff, followed later that same year. Beachcombing the Atlantic Coast, written and illustrated by Kochanoff, was published in 1997.

Recently, Kochanoff has received recognition from three book signings for a slightly different type of book published in 2006. There’s a Beagle in My Bed, illustrated by her and written by son Jim Kochanoff, was well received by the children who attended the book signings.

Writing a children’s book from a small rural community presents a slight advantage, Jim said. “I was able to have book-signings among several stores and be interviewed by TV and print. If I was in downtown Toronto, I don’t think I could get the same attention.”

The signings, attended this year by Jim and Peggy, were located at different Chapters stores in Dartmouth, Halifax and Bedford. Jim’s beagle, Jellybean, was also present at all three events.

Jim wrote the book about Jellybean and a daughter named Jaya before he even knew he would have a daughter, Peggy said. “I don’t know what he would have done if he’d had a son.”

Jaya is now 15 months old, but it will be fun to explain to her when she’s older that there’s a book about her and her dog, Jim said. “I really liked the name Jaya for a daughter, but if we had a boy his name would’ve been Jacob and I guess I would have to write a second book.”

Peggy said she had fun creating There’s a Beagle in My Bed and would do another book with her son. “Doing the illustrations for this book has been a neat thing to do with my son,” she noted.

“There’s a Beagle in my Bed is for a slightly older children (3-6 years) who can appreciate the trials of owning a dog,” Jim said. “I can’t wait until Jaya and I can read it together.”

Peggy Kochanoff is now working on an untitled book about being a nature detective and Jim Kochanoff is working on a book soon to be released called Fists and Fantasy. Both have moved on to other projects but the pair expressed their enjoyment in working with each other to create There’s a Beagle in My Bed.