New Children's Book

Cast off with Mimi & Papa on the adventure of a lifetime.

Whether you're a boater or a land-lover, seven or seventy-seven, come cruise along on America's Great Loop through the eyes of Sandy's grandparents.

Grandma & Grandpa's Great Loop Adventure book cover
Our Story

A bedtime story worth setting sail for.

Told through the eyes of young Sandy, this children's book follows her grandparents as they travel America's legendary Great Loop by boat — teaching lessons about family, curiosity, and the joy of the journey.

📚

Educational

Written by two retired teachers with 50 years of classroom experience between them.

🚢

Adventurous

Sail along the Great Loop — 6,000 miles of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

💕

Heartwarming

A loving tribute to the bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

🌍

For Everyone

Ages 4 to 104 — boaters and dreamers alike will find something to love.

The Great Loop
The Journey

What is the Great Loop, anyway?

America's Great Loop is a continuous waterway stretching over 6,000 miles — connecting the Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, and the inland rivers. Boaters who complete the entire route earn the title of "Looper."

It's a journey full of sunrises over still water, small towns that feel like family, and wildlife sightings you'll never forget. Mimi and Papa invite you aboard for every mile of it.

6,000
Miles
15+
States
1
Big Loop
Meet the Authors

Two teachers, one big adventure.

Kelly and Jean are lifelong friends and retired elementary school teachers from Prescott, Wisconsin — and they believe the best stories come from real life.

KJ

Kelly Johnson

Author & Co-Creator

A retired third- and fourth-grade teacher who later taught gifted and talented students. Kelly lives in Prescott, Wisconsin with her husband Dave. Between boating trips, family time with her two daughters, and exercise classes, she found time to bring Mimi and Papa to life.

JH

Jean Halverson

Author & Co-Creator

A retired first- and second-grade teacher with a gift for introducing young readers to the world. Jean and her husband Scott raised three children and now chase adventures with three grandsons. Travel, family, and a good story are her three favorite things.

What Readers Say

A five-star voyage.

From grandkids to grandparents, the reviews are in.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"My grandson asks for this book every night. The illustrations are sweet and the story sparked so many questions about maps, boats, and his own grandparents' travels."
Linda R. Grandmother of 4
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"As someone who completed the Great Loop last year, I love that there's finally a kid's book that captures the magic of Looping. A must-gift for any boating family."
Mark D. Gold Looper, 2024
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"A delightful read-aloud for my second-grade class. The writing is warm, the vocabulary is rich, and the sense of adventure is contagious."
Ms. Chen Elementary Teacher

Come aboard the adventure.

Order your copy today, or subscribe for updates on upcoming books, events, and behind-the-scenes stories from the Loop.