MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV) – In Manitowoc, one children’s book is doing more than entertaining young readers. It’s helping them feel seen.
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For Abby Brixius, the Dean of Students at Riverview Elementary School, writing “The Adventures of Big Bertha: The Birthday Camp Out” had long been a personal dream.
“My goal was to create a sense of normalcy for families that are different than others,” Brixius said. “I think it came through really nicely.”
That dream, she said, began in childhood but only recently came to life.
“It’s been a passion of mine ever since I was a kid, and it was just finally the right time to start writing,” Brixius said.
The book took shape over a two-year journey of rewriting and refining before becoming a finished product.
“Seeing it come to life was unreal,” Brixius said.
She did not work alone. Sam Deeley-Burk, an art teacher at Lincoln High School, collaborated with Brixus to illustrate the story, helping transform the manuscript into a tangible book.
“We wanted the book to look like traditional artwork,” Deeley-Burk said. “I used ink and watercolor, where a lot of books now are digital.”
Throughout the process, Deeley-Burk said the message of inclusion remained central, both in the story itself and in its creation.
“I just want to show my own children and students that you can follow your dreams and set goals, even in your 30’s,” Deeley-Burk said.
For Brixius, the experience also reinforced a broader lesson about perseverance.
“I think the best advice I could give is keep going,” Brixius said. “It’s okay to stop for a little bit, and then get re-energized and do it again.”
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This was Abby and Sam’s first time publishing a book; however, they said they hope to write and illustrate more in the future.
“The Adventures of Big Bertha: The Birthday Camp Out” can be purchased on Amazon.
