Local artist and author Carol Schultz has teamed with former wildlife rehabilitator Phyllis Carlson of Quinnesec to develop a new children’s book about the great horned owl Carlson used for wildlife programs.

The book will debut at the Art for All show Saturday in Iron Mountain’s City Park, where copies signed by Schultz and Carlson will be available at Schultz’s booth.

Schultz said the book came into being after she read a Daily News article in December on Carlson retiring Journey from educational duties, after more than two decades of being the star attraction in her presentations.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God, what a fantastic children’s book that would make,'” Schultz said.

Carlson said she’d actually considered writing a children’s book about Journey but knew she didn’t have the art skills to illustrate it.

They got together and worked out the text and layout for the book, going over each page. Schultz then developed the paintings that would connect with each section, both Journey’s tale and facts about owls.

Carlson could provide a good idea of what life was like for Journey before he came into her care in late spring 2001, after a man on his morning walk found the young owl — he still had tufts of down — crouched along a fence in her neighborhood. Carlson figured the fledgling owl was old enough to hunt, went winging across Menominee Street in pursuit of prey and got struck by a vehicle, shattering an elbow joint so badly he would never fly again.

She reasoned Journey had been raised in Quinnesec Cemetery, which is just over the backyard fence from her home. Rather than turn the owl over to another facility, Carlson decided to get the proper permits to keep Journey for educational purposes. The pair did hundreds of programs over the years.

Now 22, Journey is considered elderly for an owl, which is why Carlson decided to retire him, let him get back into the regular routine of sleeping during the day and being active at night. He’d also begun showing signs of his age, she said.

The book, Carlson said, provides “a way of continuing his educational message after he’s gone.”

Once completed in February, Schultz took the book to Globe Printing in Ishpeming, the same place she had used for her first children’s book, “The Adventures of Charlie the Chihuahua.”

By self-publishing, she could ensure her illustrations were used and the printing was done in the U.S., Schultz said. The printer developed proofs she could go through before finally sending them to be printed and bound in downstate Michigan.

She also could control the price, she said. Unlike her earlier book, Schultz decided to make this one hardcover rather than paperback, but it will sell for $15.

Throughout the process, Schultz wanted to have the book done in time for Art for All, where she’ll have other examples of her work for sale.

She’ll have “The Adventures of Charlie the Chihuahua” and a second book, “The Story of Cindy/A Charlie the Chihuahua Adventure” available as well. Proceeds from sales go to Almost Home Animal Shelter, where Schultz volunteers, along with other animal shelters in the region.

She’s still deciding on where to direct proceeds from the “Journey” book but said it will depend on how well it sells.

The 56th Art for All show takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at City Park. It will have an array of art for sale, such as paintings, pottery, photography, metal and wood sculpture, jewelry and more.

Also available for purchase will be picnic-type foods provided by Tadych’s MarketPlace Foods and served by the Bishop Baraga Knights of Columbus. A silent auction will raise funds for an area senior art student.

Those attending can win $50 to be spent at the art show. Drawings will be at 11 a.m. and 1 and 2 p.m.

Admission to Art for All is free.