DEBORAH WINCHELLauthor of
Rocky's Lighthouse Adventure: A Lake Superior Tale |
About the Book
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When Quiet Pup is smuggled to a remote island by a lighthouse keeper named Joe, he learns there are NO DOGS ALLOWED on the island, and he must earn his keep or lose his home. The pup can chase seagulls up and down ten flights of stairs. He can be good company for the crew and make them laugh. He can even help in the kitchen . . . sort of.
But one night, Joe is swept into the stormy water, and Quiet Pup must jump to action and risk everything for the human he loves. Based on real events in the twentieth century, Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure is set in the middle of Lake Superior at Rock of Ages Lighthouse, which is part of Isle Royale National Park. The story captures the bond between a lighthouse keeper, the crew, and a dog—who discovers his value. |
About the Author
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Deborah Winchell was inspired to write about Rocky while interviewing a former lighthouse keeper for an article in Lake Superior Magazine. The man revealed that a dog lived on Rock of Ages in the 1970s. Deborah has camped, paddled, and hiked all along the North Shore and Keweenaw Peninsula of Lake Superior, including Isle Royale National Park. She retired from Cornell University and serves on the board of Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society. She’s been a freelance writer for over 20 years, writes for Boreal Community Media out of Grand Marais, MN, and runs women’s retreats. Her most valuable contribution to society is her children and grandchildren. She lives on a lake in northern Minnesota.
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About the Illustrator
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Renée Andriani’s illustrations have appeared in numerous picture books and on cards for Hallmark’s Shoebox Greetings line. An avid Isle Royale National Park hiker and backpacker, she has been fortunate to have been a part of the Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society’s restoration teams and has worked on the lighthouse for two seasons - her specialties are scraping paint and stripping wood! Having worked on (and slept in) the lighthouse itself was not only a unique and exciting experience, but provided an invaluable inspiration for creating images that depict the lighthouse, its interiors, and “The Big Lake.”
A native of Connecticut, she lives in Kansas with her husband and two big dogs and tries to visit the Lake Superior region whenever possible. |
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Local Bookstores Selling Rocky!
Book Signings and Presentations!
Copper World - Calumet, MI
Isle Royale National Park - Houghton, Rock Harbor, and Windigo Gift Shops, MI - Spring 2025
Fitgers Bookstore - Duluth, MN - Saturday, April 5, 2025 (12-2 pm)
Cloquet Public Library - Cloquet, MN - Thursday, April 24, 2025 (4-5 pm)
Portage Lake District Library - Houghton, MI - Friday, April 25 (3:45-4:45 pm)
The Well Read Raccoon - Houghton, MI - Saturday, April, 26, 2025 (11-4 pm)
Honest Dog Books - Bayfield, WI - May 9, 2025 - Book Signing with Bayfield Elementary (
Piragis Outfitters - Ely, MN - Author and Illustrator Book Signing - July 9, 2025 (1-3 pm)
Drury Lane Books - Grand Marais, MN - Author and Illustrator Book Signing - July 12, 2025 (10-Noon)
Split Rock Lighthouse (Museum) - Two Harbors, MN - Author and Illustrator Book Signing - Saturday, July 12, 2025 (1-3 pm)
N.P. Junction Books - Carlton, MN
Lake Superior Trading Post - Grand Marais, MN
Maria's BookShop - Durango, CO - Saturday, August 8, 2025 (4-6 pm)
Canoecopia Paddlesport Expo 2026 - Madison, WI - March 6-8, 2026
Author, Illustrator, & Photographer presented at Canoecopia Paddlesport Expo 2025 - March 7-10
N.P. Junction Books in Carlton, MN, hosted a September 2024 reading
Forest Lake Minnesota Daisy Scouts enjoyed a reading in December 2024
Media
Boreal Community Media - November 26, 2024
"Deborah’s journey is a measure of the power of passion and patience that storytelling requires. Through Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure, she has created a legacy for Rock of Ages Lighthouse, and has created a tangible connection to its history."
---Sammie Garrity, Contributing Writer
Lake Superior Magazine - December '24/January '25
"The book is a great way to introduce an interest in Lake Superior history and heritage...The pleasing story and witty illustrations will keep young and old happily reading along...
and maybe dream of their own visit to the Big Lake and one of its lighthouses."
---Konnie LeMay, Editor
"Deborah’s journey is a measure of the power of passion and patience that storytelling requires. Through Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure, she has created a legacy for Rock of Ages Lighthouse, and has created a tangible connection to its history."
---Sammie Garrity, Contributing Writer
Lake Superior Magazine - December '24/January '25
"The book is a great way to introduce an interest in Lake Superior history and heritage...The pleasing story and witty illustrations will keep young and old happily reading along...
and maybe dream of their own visit to the Big Lake and one of its lighthouses."
---Konnie LeMay, Editor
Reviews
Stay tuned to see more of what people are saying about Rocky's Lighthouse Adventure!
Lake Superior Magazine's Holiday Children's Book Review
Dec/Jan Issue 2025
"This is a great children's story filled with adventure and hope!"
--Grandparent
"I gave your book to our head librarian at the Cazenovia Library today. I loved Quiet Pup’s first appearance
and the illustrations. The whole thing is wonderful and I loved the historical info at the end."
--Retired Teacher and Grandparent
"The historical story of a pup who was smuggled onto a remote Lake Superior Lighthouse!"
--Boreal Community Media - Grand Marais, MN
"I identified with Quiet Pup and I teared up in the beginning of the book. I had elementary teachers who wrote
on my report cards: Wendy knows the answer but needs to raise her hand! Ha! At the time, I did not agree.
Nearly 20 years later I joined the Peace Corps. Now I'm working with kids with autism
and helping them find their voice. Thank you for writing that book.”
--Store Manager and Educator
"Your comments about the dog being quiet were so important to me, because I want quiet children to know they are just as valued as the kids who raise their hand first and are not afraid to speak. The quiet ones need just a little bit more time! And they are just as capable of having big adventures. And being leaders who make a difference."
--Deborah Winchell
"The story is well written and a good read!"
--Spanish Teacher
Dec/Jan Issue 2025
"This is a great children's story filled with adventure and hope!"
--Grandparent
"I gave your book to our head librarian at the Cazenovia Library today. I loved Quiet Pup’s first appearance
and the illustrations. The whole thing is wonderful and I loved the historical info at the end."
--Retired Teacher and Grandparent
"The historical story of a pup who was smuggled onto a remote Lake Superior Lighthouse!"
--Boreal Community Media - Grand Marais, MN
"I identified with Quiet Pup and I teared up in the beginning of the book. I had elementary teachers who wrote
on my report cards: Wendy knows the answer but needs to raise her hand! Ha! At the time, I did not agree.
Nearly 20 years later I joined the Peace Corps. Now I'm working with kids with autism
and helping them find their voice. Thank you for writing that book.”
--Store Manager and Educator
"Your comments about the dog being quiet were so important to me, because I want quiet children to know they are just as valued as the kids who raise their hand first and are not afraid to speak. The quiet ones need just a little bit more time! And they are just as capable of having big adventures. And being leaders who make a difference."
--Deborah Winchell
"The story is well written and a good read!"
--Spanish Teacher
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