Sisters Annette Gagliardi and Elizabeth Glaser may no longer call Britton home, but the ties that bind them to the area remain strong — and now, their creative work is bringing those roots to wider audiences across the country.
Gagliardi, an author of children’s books, poetry and curriculum, and Glaser, an illustrator and artist, have collaborated on several projects despite living hundreds of miles apart. Glaser resides with her husband in northern Wisconsin, while Gagliardi lives in Minneapolis with her husband.
Although the sisters have never lived permanently in Britton, their family story is closely woven into the fabric of the region. Elizabeth was born in Britton in 1948 to Bill and Anna (Williamson) Stabnow. Over the years, the family of 10 moved between farms in South Dakota and Minneapolis, where Annette was born in 1950. Their father’s work in farming and elevator operations, as well as at the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, S.D., led the family to live in multiple small towns before settling more permanently in Minnesota.
Despite the moves, summers often found the sisters back in Britton, visiting their grandparents, Oscar and Bess (Huckell) Stabnow, and cousin Cleo (Rademacher) Symens. Numerous aunts, uncles and extended family still reside in the Britton area, strengthening the sisters’ emotional connection to the region.
Gagliardi has authored numerous works across multiple genres. Her children’s books include “The Three Betty Goats Griff” and “Resourceful Erica,” both illustrated by Glaser. In addition to her picture books, Gagliardi has published poetry collections such as “A Short Supply of Viability,” which offers comfort to caregivers, and “Proper Poems for Ladies...and a Few Naughty Ones Too,” a chapbook inspired by her family.
In 2023, Gagliardi’s historical children’s book, “Ponderosa Pines: Days of the Deadwood Forest Fire” — also illustrated by Glaser — received the PenCraft Award for Literary Excellence. The book recounts the 1959 Deadwood Forest Fire, one of the most devastating wildfires in South Dakota history, a story close to the family as her father and uncles fought the fire.
Her recent chapbook, “Caffeinated,” published in 2024 by Island of Wak-Wak in Sweden, won the Literary Titan Gold Book Award and was a semifinalist in the Purple Ink Chapbook Contest. Gagliardi also co-edited “Upon Waking: 58 Voices Speaking Out from the Shadow of Abuse,” an anthology born of the Me Too movement, giving voice to survivors of sexual abuse.
Beyond creative writing, Gagliardi has contributed to early childhood education. She co-authored “Raising Children with Roots, Rights and Responsibilities,” a curriculum published by the University of Minnesota Human Rights Resource Center, promoting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In addition to her books, Gagliardi has been recognized for her poetry. A member of the South Dakota State Poetry Society, her work has been featured in Pasque Petals, the state’s poetry anthology. Her poem “Lakota” won second place in the state contest, and “Gourmand of Orange” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Earlier this month, she was named Poet Laureate for the League of Minnesota Poets.
Gagliardi, who finds inspiration in everyday activities like gardening, baking, quilting and caring for children, is currently working on her second novel — a thriller set in her Minneapolis neighborhood, exploring the dangers of invasive species introduced through city water systems.
While Gagliardi’s words build worlds, Glaser’s art brings them to life. An accomplished artist, Glaser works in oils, acrylics and colored pencil, creating landscapes, animal portraits and book illustrations. Her paintings are held in private collections from Montana to Texas and have appeared in gallery shows and art fairs.
In addition to her work with Gagliardi, Glaser has illustrated books for other authors, including “The Adventures of Thomas and Charlie” by Morgana Smith, “Stuart the Scottish Seagull” by Maureen Hendricks, and “Tommy Turtle” by Celeste Gagliardi.
Glaser also shares her sister’s love of creative hobbies, enjoying quilting, card making, baking and gardening. For the sisters, collaboration is a natural extension of their lifelong bond. They credit their shared creativity and strong family support — especially from their relatives in Britton — for inspiring and sustaining their work.
Being sisters is the greatest benefit of their collaboration, the sisters note. The love and support they have for each other, and from their family in the Britton area, means everything.
More about Annette Gagliardi’s work can be found at annette-gagliardi.com.
Temperature: 43°F Town: Britton, SD
Pressure: 1013 hPa
Wind: 14 mph
