A Talk With Delbert

A reporter seeks out two and four-legged creatures throughout the woods nearby and outside his community to ascertain their behavioral traits, name origins, and how they care for their offspring. The author starts by talking to a whitetail deer which in turn introduces him to another creature. Each introduces the author to another animal or fowl, as the case may be, until all ten species have submitted answers to the reporter's questions.

Often we have animals or fowl in our neighborhoods we seldom give thought to until someone brings the factual matter to the table concerning various aspects of their lives. In this book, A Talk With Delbert, and Other Creatures of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the author, Paul J. Volkmann, does something no human could or even attempt to carry out - walk up and actually talk to animals and one turkey about information pertaining to each. Truly fictional in "nature," each chapter is full of facts that discuss various aspects of each, discussing everything from meeting mates, bringing up the young and the threatening encounters each faces on a day to day life. A book that can be read to or by young children, each chapter features an illustration that can be colored. Drawn by a professional artist, Kathleen Dillon, children can learn to identify animals or the turkey. In addition, each has been given an identification, so one can call these creatures by name. She has used her God-given talents to draw representatives of each species that readers of all ages will come to love, for each has characteristics that certainly will bring smiles to people's faces. Interviewed are a deer, rabbits, turkey, groundhog, shrew, opossum, raccoon, beaver, chipmunk and a black bear. All have amazing stories to tell. Easy to read, the author makes one feel he is standing alongside the reporter listening to what the creatures are stating. One will come away feeling educated, entertained, and hopefully have a greater appreciation for the great outdoors.

Ever since I moved to Pennsylvania from Ohio some forty-four years ago, settling in the valley of the Laurel Mountains, I have come to appreciate nature to its fullness. Schooled in the Pittsburgh (PA) area, Paul J. Volkmann graduated from Oakmont High School in 1962. From there, he went on to Ashland College, Ashland, Ohio, where he completed his studies in 1967 achieving two degrees, one in sociology and the other in psychology. While attending his alma mater, he was hired by the Ashland Times Gazette to write about college news. This publisher gave birth to Volkmann's photojournalistic career. From there he went on to share his talents with four other newspapers, three police agencies, and one industry. In addition, he completed all the necessary requirements and received certification in law enforcement in the state of Ohio. In the early seventies, the entrepreneur opened up his own studio, Pee Vee's Photography in Latrobe. Expanding his business pursuits over a thirty-two-year span, the retail proprietor's business pursuits included custom framing and a fishing lure and tackle shop. In addition, he has written two newspaper columns for the Latrobe Bulletin for nearly two decades. Both of these, Inside the Outdoors and Off the Wall have delighted and inspired readers throughout the world. Being semi-retired, "Mr. Pee Vee" as he is known, has also authored three other books, "Off the Wall Favorites (2011)," Peeveetry, In Form of 'Verseity' (2016)," and "With Me Always (2017)." As a convert to the Roman Catholic Church, Volkmann is very passionate about his Christian faith, loves to make fishing-lure necklaces and promote the "City of Firsts" tourist community where he lives. He is married to his wife, Teri, for forty-four years. They have two children, Kelsey and Aaron.