For Glenn Tomlinson, storytelling started on summer evenings with his grandchildren on Pelee Island. Now, those tales have become a growing anthology of illustrated children’s books grounded in local history and family tradition.
The Sarnia native has published the first two titles in what will be an eight-book (or more) series called Pelee Island Fantastical Stories. The books, written under the pen name N. Nosnilmot—a backward spelling of his own name—feature fictional characters set against the real-world backdrop of Canada’s southernmost inhabited island.
“It was my wife, Sonja, who said to me, ‘You know, you really should write those down,’” Tomlinson said. “I pretty much wrote my first book on the hour-and-a-half ferry ride from Pelee Island to Leamington.”
The two books currently available are Pelee Pete the Friendly but Stinky Little Ogre and Lighthouse Larry and the Locked Door. Six more are planned, with the next title—Fishpoint Freya and the Fearsome Undercurrent—scheduled for release in spring 2025.
Though his grandchildren inspired the stories and serve as their unnamed heroes, Tomlinson says the books are written to appeal to all ages. “The stories are ‘love letters’ to both my grandchildren and the island itself,” he said. “I hope that will resonate with readers, strengthen family ties and encourage people to explore and discover the beauty and magic of Pelee Island.”
Each book incorporates recognizable island locales and bits of historical detail. For example, Lighthouse Larry includes a segment about the island’s historic lighthouse and its changing appearance over the years. When Tomlinson noticed a pewter wine topper depicting the lighthouse’s earlier design, he sent it to his illustrator to update the book’s artwork to reflect the historical structure more accurately.
“I’m a bit of a history geek,” he said. “If she hadn’t changed it, I certainly would have been called out on it—as many of the islanders are proud of their history.”
Tomlinson self-published the series through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform, choosing that route to maintain editorial control and on the recommendation of a fellow Sarnia author. He described the process as “seamless,” thanks in part to his illustrator’s experience with the platform.
Feedback so far has been positive—from vendors, readers, and especially his family. “When I read the first book, without illustrations, to my oldest grandson for the very first time he was enthralled,” Tomlinson said. “Now that they are familiar with the stories, they interrupt when I re-read them.” During one such reading, his granddaughter pointed out a moment when a character is unfairly rejected by others on the island. “But that’s not us, Bapa,” she said. “We know better.”
The books are currently available locally at Coles in Lambton Mall and Little Bean Kid Company in Wyoming, as well as from two vendors on Pelee Island. Tomlinson will host a book signing at Coles on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Although the stories are personal in origin, the characters remain unnamed, inviting young readers to see themselves in the roles. “My grandkids know the rest of the titles,” Tomlinson said, “and it’s been interesting to see them compete as to who will be the hero of what story.”
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