Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

Congratulations to Laura A. Stewart on the release of Building the Bridge School

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

In 2018, my youngest son Benjamin asked me during a particularly arduous lesson in long division, “Why do we have school?” Bridge School is just down the road from us, so as a 25 year veteran homeschool mama, I decided to delve into answering his question.

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?

That community projects are still necessary and wonderful to be a part of. The first country schools are similar to what the homeschool family tries to create in the homeschool community. We pool our resources as parents to create a learning environment that suits our “whole” needs as a family. Homeschool co-op communities are similar to the size and familiarity of an early country public school. As families, we “grow up” and learn together.

What inspires you to write?

Everything about this amazing life that we have been blessed with experiencing with our families and friends. Both the wonderful and the tough stuff.

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?

Included with the usual marketing methods, there will be a community launch at Bridge School in Raisinville township 96 Ida-Maybee Rd., Monroe, Mi., on September 14, at 1-3 p.m. Families are welcome! Old fashioned children’s activities and a barrel of apples will be sitting upon the teacher’s desk. The school bell rings class to order promptly at 1 p.m. You don’t want to find out how the teacher used the hickory stick!

What's next for you?

I am also doing edits for two other stories. A concept picture book titled Clucky’s Week published sometime in 2025 with Lawley Publishing, and another story contracted with Pauline Media which is a sanctity of life story. The business part of being an author is not my favorite, so in between, I try to nibble at some of my other stories for creative fun.

I am thankful for all of the encouragement I’ve been given from so many people during the past ten years of being a part of SCBWI. So many of my questions are answered through MichKids. Invaluable. I’ve met some beautiful souls through SCBWI. The Newbery peeps, my critique partner Mary Z., Deb G. (cheerleader extraordinaire and PinLit Queen), my recently found P.B. online critique group, as well as professional critiques by Leslie H., Laurie K. and Kristin W. Thank you all for your direction and support.

More about the book . . .

Intertwining fiction and historical fact, author Laura A. Stewart brings to life the story of a small nineteenth-century farming community’s quest to build Michigan’s first public schoolhouse. Set in 1828 near the grape-vined River Raisin in Michigan, this delightful picture book is narrated by Justus, a young boy who has never held a book other than the family Bible. Now, his close-knit community is gathering to build something he’s only dreamed of: a public schoolhouse. Follow along as Justus and other real historical characters reveal a glimpse into early 1800s family and farm life as they work together to build the Bridge School. This unique and uplifting story will interest young children as well as older elementary students with its period-accurate illustrations, historical characters, and sidebars illuminating facts about this fascinating time and place. Building the Bridge School is an invaluable resource for learning about this significant time in Michigan history.

Publisher: Mission Point Press

More about the author . . .

Laura A. Stewart and her family live a short stroll from the banks of River Raisin in Michigan. Here they’ve spent many seasons catching toads and turtles, saving baby birds, avoiding snakes, and watching cicadas emerge from their shells. Laura has enjoyed creating stories from these nature experiences while raising her almost-grown family, and now relishes grandparenting and the many antics that go with it. Her education is in child development and elementary education. Her splashy little picture book, Puddle Jumper, was published in 2013. Look for her next concept picture book, Clucky’s Week.

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