Photo Courtesy of Brooke Roe
Michigan Blue recently caught up with Brooke Roe, the author of the Great Lakes Vibes Collection — modern coffee table books that pick up on the nuances of some of Michigan’s most loved destinations. So far, she’s created five books, each focusing on a different region: the Upper Peninsula, Charlevoix/Boyne City, Mackinac Island, Traverse City, and Petoskey/Harbor Springs. She says she’d like to expand the series and possibly offer Kindle versions, to make it easier for readers to take the books along on their travels.
Roe is a lifelong creative and has always loved arts and crafts. She’s the founder of a national art studio franchise called Pinspiration, which today includes dozens of arts and crafts studios.
A part-time resident of Traverse City, the entrepreneur created the hardcover books for her Michigan rental property guests, but she says she now realizes they’re of interest to anyone who loves the state’s charming character and beckoning towns. She worked with Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) to develop the series.
When not at her Michigan home, Roe and her husband live in Arizona, where she teaches classes on everything from how to create a vision to flower-arranging. “I find that the word ‘creative’ is very intimidating to many. I encourage people to make their curiosity bigger than their fears,” she says.
Here, Roe shares information with Michigan Blue editor Megan Swoyer about her books, including a fun beach craft and the ingredients for a tasty energy bite that’s perfect
for hiking.
Photo Courtesy of Brooke Roe.
Megan Swoyer: What was your inspiration for the books?
Brooke Roe: I was inspired by the feeling people have when they fall in love with Michigan. After spending summers here with my kids, the region’s beauty, nostalgia, and sense of calm became incredibly meaningful to me. Now that we’re retiring here, the project feels even more personal. I want the books to help readers not just see Michigan, but feel it through art, mindfulness, and local culture.
MS: How did you get started?
Brooke Roe: I visited different places, talked to people, and worked to build my chapters around the texture of those places — and to include emotional touchpoints. People can’t always put into words how they feel about a destination; the books reflect the mood of a region and provide a sensory experience. Each book recommends day trips and things to explore, but when you’re reading them, you get a sense of the stillness, soul, and sensory magic of the destinations. One of the most rewarding surprises has been how emotional readers feel when they connect with a place that holds meaning for them.
MS: What types of topics do the books touch on?
Brooke Roe: An activity like biking, for example. There are play lists, quotes, crafts that families can do together, regional recipes, poetry, nature and wildlife features, mindful moments, a photography inspiration, and journal prompts. The idea is to keep the reader present.
MS: What’s a favorite recipe of yours?
Brooke Roe: Trail Mix Energy Bites. They’re easy, packable hiking bites made with oats, dried cherries, nut butter, honey, and chocolate chips. They’re perfect for dune climbs and long trail days. I also like the Four-Season Crostini, with toppings that shift from cherry blossom honey in the spring to dried cherries and orange zest in the winter.
MS: Can you give us an example of a craft the whole family can do together?
Brooke Roe: The Driftwood Memory Mobile involves collecting small pieces of driftwood, writing a favorite word or memory on each, and tying them to a central driftwood bar to create a mobile that moves like lake breezes. 
