Read & Learn Together with A Little Up North!

When I started to think about A Little Up North: Goes to the Lake, I reflected on aspects of my favorite books that I read with my daughter. I noticed what she responded to best, what I enjoyed reading to her, and tried to take note of where those moments intersected. After she was born, I found myself using books as a tool for communication almost immediately. To soothe her, I repeated familiar rhymes softly in her ear. Out on a walk, I’d recite lines from stories related to what we were seeing out in the world. So many of these special moments were happening all around us in the magical place where we live, “Up North.” So, ultimately inspired by my daughter and our favorite place to visit, Lake Michigan, I wrote this story to share in those moments with all who enjoy this place we call home. Experiencing Up North throughout different stages of my life has taught me that all you need for some of childhood’s greatest adventures is a curious mind and a little time outdoors.

Through these experiences as a new parent, I quickly realized that what read to our babies over and over again matters! Holding my sweet baby girl with her mind so fresh and new, I only wanted gentle words to touch her ears. I also wanted to create something that aligned with our core values as a family including spreading love, environmental conservation, and education. So with that and your little one’s growth in mind, I intentionally incorporated these concepts into the manuscript:

Nature & Environmental Awareness

• Wildlife observation, to encourage awareness of local animals and their behaviors.
• Rock identification, to introduce the concept of different textures and natural materials, which ties into Michigan’s incredible geological diversity.
• Noticing natural treasures, to spark curiosity about the natural world and ecosystems.

Sensory & Descriptive Learning

• Touch & feel, through descriptive language that helps kids connect words with physical sensations.
• Light & color, through verses and illustrations about time of day, colors, and transitions in nature.

Emotional & Social Development

• Bonding & love, by reinforcing emotional security and caregiver-child connection.
• Mindfulness & appreciation, by encouraging reflection and gratitude for experiences.

Language & Early Literacy

• Rhyming & rhythm, through the structured rhyme scheme that supports phonemic awareness, making it easier for little ones to engage with and remember words.
• New vocabulary, words related to nature introduce young readers to descriptive language with illustrations to support.

Come along with us on a little learning adventure! I hope this story inspires you to slow down, explore, and make a few memories of your own along the way.

See you Up North!