Snowshoe Kate and the Hospital Built for Pennies Book Review
By Rick Stedman
Who better to write a children’s book about snowshoeing than an avid snowshoer?
Author Margi Preus’ delightful picture book, Snowshoe Kate and the Hospital Built for Pennies, brings to life the remarkable story of Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb (1885–1956). Known affectionately as “Dr. Kate,” she devoted her life to caring for patients in the remote Northwoods of Wisconsin—often traveling by snowshoe across rugged, snow-covered terrain to reach them.
Preus discovered Dr. Kate’s story while researching another project:
“I came across a snippet of information about Dr. Kate, who was known as ‘the angel on snowshoes’ by her community,” she says. “I was instantly drawn to her story—and especially to the schoolchildren who collected pennies to help build her a hospital.”
That curiosity led Preus to the Dr. Kate Museum in Woodruff, Wisconsin, where the story truly began to take shape.
Delivering Babies—and a Community Dream
Over the course of her career, Dr. Kate delivered an astonishing 3,000 to 4,000 babies. Years later, many of those children would play a role in one of the most heartwarming grassroots efforts imaginable: the “Million Penny Parade.”
Driven by Dr. Kate’s long-held dream of building a hospital for her community, local schoolchildren began collecting pennies—an idea sparked during a classroom discussion about what a million of anything might look like. The concept quickly caught on, especially among the very children whose lives Dr. Kate had helped bring into the world.
Preus tells this story with warmth and clarity, while illustrator Jaime Zollars brings it vividly to life. The book features a striking two-page spread of 300 individually illustrated babies—symbolizing the thousands delivered by Dr. Kate—as well as a stunning visual of one million pennies.
As the penny drive gained momentum, the community rallied behind it. But even after reaching one million pennies, the effort still fell short of the total needed.
That changed dramatically on March 17, 1954, when Dr. Kate was unexpectedly featured on the national television program This Is Your Life, hosted by Ralph Edwards. Believing she was attending a medical conference, she instead found herself sharing her story with a nationwide audience. The response was immediate and overwhelming—donations poured in, ultimately raising over $106,000.
Later that year, Lakeland Memorial Hospital was officially dedicated by the governor, turning Dr. Kate’s dream into reality.
A Story That Resonates Beyond the Page
Preus, who lives in Duluth, Minnesota, is no stranger to snowshoeing herself. “With so many forested areas and parks nearby, we can be snowshoeing just steps from our house,” she notes. That connection to the outdoors carries through in her storytelling, as it does in several of her other books, including The Silver Box, Shadow on the Mountain, and Village of Scoundrels.
Read More: Snowshoe Minnesota’s North Shore: State Parks & The Superior Hiking Trail
Recommended for Ages 6–9 (and Beyond)
Written as a fully illustrated picture book, Snowshoe Kate and the Hospital Built for Pennies is ideal for readers ages 6–9. But its message—community, perseverance, and compassion—resonates well beyond that range.
“This story also appeals to older kids and even adults,” says Preus. “It was recently nominated for a state award voted on by 2nd–6th grade students, which is a great indicator of its broad appeal.”
Available through major booksellers, this is a story that earns two thumbs up for its engaging narrative, rich historical detail, and heartfelt illustrations. It’s the kind of book that keeps readers engaged from start to finish—whether they’re six or sixty.
In fact, my grandson William, an avid reader, will soon be receiving a copy for his ninth birthday.
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