What did two ambitious and inquisitive deer and one very annoyed pine tree have to do with the formation of a local gem of nature, Wallowa Lake?

The answer lies in a new children’s book that is the culmination of a sixth-grade art project that started in 2011.

“Wallowa Lake — The Real Story” (Mt. Emily Press, 2015) by Joan Gilbert offers a whimsical legend of how the lake came to be, followed by a few science lessons that provide an actual, geological explanation of the forces that carved it into our landscape.

Gilbert wrote the book’s storyline, but the illustrations were pulled from a short claymation film by the same name that was produced four years ago with her guidance by Colby Knifong’s sixth-grade class at Enterprise Elementary.

“My son was in sixth grade,” Gilbert said. “I knew it probably was my last art project with them, so I wanted to do something really big. Before that, I had been teaching animation to kids at Chief Joseph Summer Camp.”

Gilbert, who is a graphic designer as well as an author, had been involved with her kids’ school art projects for years before the Wallowa Lake film. Each of the projects ultimately was sold at the Enterprise Education Foundation dinner auction, with all proceeds going to programs that support arts and music. All proceeds from the new book will go to the foundation as well.

The 2011 project was ambitious, to say the least. The students created and designed the characters, built the sets, took every shot of the tedious stop-motion animation process.

It took five months to complete the six-minute film.

And those crafty kids? They’re all sophomores in high school now. Gilbert still sees many of them, and some are still into animation. But the slow process of the craft isn’t for everyone.

“At the time, a few said, ‘I’m never doing this again’,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert said she’s applied for the Made in Oregon designation for her new book, and that it has been selling well.

“People seem to like it. It’s a cute story with a little twist at the end.”

Gilbert has scheduled several upcoming book signings at local book stores. A few will include showings of the original film.

Wallowology*, Joseph, 1-3 p.m. Dec. 4

Mad Mary’s, Joseph, 1-3 p.m. Dec 5

Looking Glass Books, La Grande, 3-5 p.m. Dec 18

Bookloft*, Enterprise, 1-3 p.m. Dec 19

* Book signing to include showing of original film

“Wallowa Lake — The Real Story” also is available at Book and Game in Walla Walla and Bookworm in Kennewick. If you’re unable to support a local book store, you also can purchase it at amazon.com