Hugs and Hurrahs

Welcome to this quarter's Hugs and Hurrahs!

Jay Whistler recently opened a bookstore in Ferndale with her daughters, Hannah and Linnea. The Whistler's Daughter Books vision is to provide the community with a place to share the written word; gather in safety and with acceptance; enjoy camaraderie with neighbors; learn about, from, and with other creatives. This vision leads directly to our mission to expand intellectual curiosity, educate one another, explore the wider world, and experience a connected community. We hope you can visit us soon. 

                                            We're so excited for you, Jay!

Jean Alicia Elster is pleased to share that her interview as a guest author for CanvasRebel Magazine — a publication that highlights conversations with entrepreneurs, artists and creatives — was published in November 2025.

You're amazing, Jean!

Christina Fecher is happy to announce her debut children's book, Santa's Summer Vacation in Michigan, is now available for purchase on Amazon. After tiresome preparations at the North Pole leave Santa and his team feeling glum and in need of a well-earned break, they trade their boots for flip flops and head out on their first-ever vacation in hopes of rekindling their holiday spirit. This whimsical tale of adventure is bursting with fun as Santa and the elves explore the exciting sights and sounds of Michigan, the “Mitten State.”Illustrated by Robin Boyer and published by Wilson Lindberg Books, LLC.

Congratulations, Christina!

It's a literary countdown:  Monica Harris has written 4 Informational pieces and 3 Fictional pieces Writing Passages to Data Recognition Corp as well as 2 Informational pieces and 1 Fictional piece for Michigan (MSTEP. These passages range from grades 3 to high school.

Nice work, Monica!

Pria Dee has a slew of good news. Her picture book Little Moe Can’t Fly won a Mom's Choice Gold Award and they featured a great interview with her on their website. Another picture book, Finley the Frog and the Magical Wishing Flower received a positive review from book Life.

Well done, Pria!

Please join me in celebrating our talented and hardworking colleagues!