Howell resident publishes children's book with glimpse of Upper Peninsula

M. Alan Scott
·2 min read
Howell resident Johnny Storm published “Peninsula Fun in the Sun: Hooray for Camp Days" with Mission Point Press out of Traverse City in November. Illustrations by Larry Ruppert.
Howell resident Johnny Storm published “Peninsula Fun in the Sun: Hooray for Camp Days" with Mission Point Press out of Traverse City in November. Illustrations by Larry Ruppert.

HOWELL — Howell resident Johnny Storm has always written on the side to relax and relieve stress. Now, his first published book is helping children experience Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, even if they've never been there.

Storm published “Peninsula Fun in the Sun: Hooray for Camp Days" with Mission Point Press out of Traverse City in November. It's a children’s picture book that rhymes from beginning to end and features some of the most well-known attractions in the Keweenaw waterway region of the U.P.

Storm has lifelong, firsthand experience. His family owned a piece of property and a year-round home in Chassell, Michigan, and spent long stints of summer vacation there. Storm and his siblings referred to the house as simply “camp.”

While the property is no longer in the family, Storm and his wife, Joan, visit members of her family in the U.P. regularly.

“My dad thought the Keweenaw region was one of the most beautiful parts of the world,” Storm said. “He traveled around the globe for work and because of him we all just loved that area.”

Johnny Storm
Johnny Storm

Storm began to write his book nearly four years ago, sharing some of the content with his family, including his sister, Brighton resident Kristen Larson. She encouraged him to find a publisher who would help bring his dream to life.

Given his day job as an insurance agent in Livingston County, Storm worked on the book on evenings and weekends. Once Mission Point expressed their interest in publishing it, he began working with illustrator Larry Ruppert.

Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage

When he first approached the publishing house, Storm’s contacts there wondered why the book didn't have a main character. Storm said, given the experiential nature of the book, he thought the reader themselves was the main character.

“They loved the concept because it was so unique,” Storm said. “I just think for people who grew up in Michigan, (the book) brings them back to their childhood. And for those who haven’t visited that area, it gives them a sense of the natural beauty.”

Storm’s first big marketing effort for the book was a signing event at Copper World Gift Store in downtown Calumet, just three days after it was released. He sold about 75 books that day. Retail stores and restaurants in Livingston County also carry "Peninsula Fun in the Sun," including 2 Dandelions Bookshop in Brighton and the Cromaine Library in Hartland.

The book can be purchased online at johnnystormauthor.com.

“My hope is the book gets into every school library, every town library, and all the Michigan bookstores."

— M. Alan Scott is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Howell resident publishes children's book with glimpse of Upper Peninsula