Birch Bay author releases children’s book inspired by Birch Bay

A Birch Bay resident recently released a children’s book inspired by her family’s adventures sea glass hunting on Birch Bay beaches.

Lacey Young released her first self-published book, “The Sea Shop: A Pacific Northwest Adventure Story,” on September 23. The 31-page book chronicles a girl named Callie being drawn by the nature in her seaside village and love of combing the shoreline for sea glass. Once she finds the perfect pieces, she uses them at The Sea Shop, a nod to The C Shop in Birch Bay, to pay for ice cream.

Local illustrator Bria Block brought the story to life through pastel-colored illustrations of the sea and forest that mesh with Callie’s story. The book also features a map of sea glass beaches in the Pacific Northwest that includes Birch Bay State Park, Young’s favorite place to go beachcombing.

Young said the book was based on a short film that Young’s husband, Caleb, took of their daughter Callie when she was six years old for a video contest. The film follows a similar plot of Callie combing the beach for sea glass, a popular activity in their family, and using her new treasures at The C Shop.

“You don’t always have to entertain kids with elaborate toys or big trips or adventures,” Young said. “You can find things easily where we live without a lot of money or planning.”

Hunting for sea glass, and later agates, is something Young’s family has continued over the years, even now that Callie is 17, Young said.

With her first book under her belt, Young said she would like to release more books that follow themes like berry picking, foraging in the woods and kayaking.

Young said she believes the book, intended for ages 3-8, will be sold at The C Shop next summer and hopes to sell it at stores around Birch Bay. The book can be purchased for $10.99 on Amazon at bit.ly/3Y3C5UD and will be available at Village Books.