Children's Book by Nicole Doud Introduces Young Readers to 'ABC's of Mackinac Island'

When Nicole Doud, owner of Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island on Main Street, consolidated her multiple shops into one store more than a year ago, she set out to do more creative things under one roof. Now she’s an author, publishing her first board book last summer, “The ABC’s of Mackinac Island.” The book is whimsical with a green polka dot cover that features illustrations of horses, bikes, and the Mackinac Bridge by Katie Doucette.

Mrs. Doud came up with the idea and started writing in the winter of 2020. Her three sons, Louie, Tommy, and Johnny, are always reading children’s books, she said, and she felt there was a need for an ABC’s of Mackinac. The hardest part was finding out how to publish the book, Mrs. Doud said, because she had never done anything like it before.

“I think it’s important to show the youth to believe in their dreams and that you can do anything that you want to do,” Mrs. Doud said. “I know everybody says that but it really is true.”

Mrs. Doud felt like kids could benefit from an ABC’s of Mackinac book, and she wanted to make it as informational as possible. This led to letters like “X” for X-Ray, to highlight the Island’s medical center. It’s important, Mrs. Doud said for babies and toddlers and kids six or seven years old to learn about all the different, unique places and landmarks on the Island.

There are also many references to Mrs. Doud’s family as well, with nods to the Windermere Hotel, run by Mayor Margaret Doud, and Doud’s Market, run by Mrs. Doud’s husband Andrew Doud.

Mrs. Doud included some of the classic Island attractions as well as a few more creative references to encourage visitors to explore beyond downtown. She said the book can be interactive if readers visit each spot that corresponds to the letters of the alphabet. They could visit each spot all in one day or stop at a few attractions during separate visits to collect pictures in front of each corresponding spot.

Mrs. Doud also highlighted that it’s a great gift for family members or grandparents to pass down to children.

“The ABC’s of Mackinac Island” has been out for about a year. One of Mrs. Doud’s favorite parts about the book is sharing it with her kids and showing them that anybody can do something they really put their minds to. It’s like an investment, she said, you know you are going to get your return.

“You just have to have the dream and then do your research and give it a shot,” she said.