Local Rotary Member Discusses His New Children’s Book Inspired by Marshfield’s Rotary Winter Wonderland

Thursday, December 18th, 2025 -- 11:00 AM

Local creative professional and Rotary member Ben Bauer has released his debut children’s book, Mary’s Bright Idea.

I had the opportunity to speak with Ben and he discussed the story, how the idea came about, and more.

Listen to the interview with Ben here!

Mary’s Bright Idea is available for purchase online at: marysbrightidea.com. Copies will also be available at select local events and shops.

(AI assisted transcription via Otter.ai)

Ben: "The story within the book is really about a little girl that experiences a local holiday light show. When reading the book, you might see some familiar features that connects the dots to Rotary Winter Wonderland here in Marshfield."

"And, through her journey throughout the park, seeing some of the things that happen, including volunteers and service and things like that, she's kind of inspired to do some of that stuff herself."

"So, it's really kind of a little bit of a journey and exploration into her kind of discovering volunteer service and charity and all those things that make that event so special."

Riley: "So what made you decide to write this book? I mean, you had the story, and what made you go, 'hey, you know what? I think I can turn this into a children's story.'"

Ben: "You know, it's kind of just always been one of those, I don't know if I'd call it a bucket list thing, but just an idea in the back of my brain for a long time, like, I should probably write a children's book."

"And we've got a couple of young kids at home, and we're always, you know, whether it's bedtime or whatever, making up stories and, you know, kind of using our imagination."

"And, you know, every now and then a story goes so well, and it's like, gosh, we should write a book, you know? You know, just kind of, and then just being a graphic designer by trade, so just kind of having one of those minds that's always creating things, you know, is really just kind of an idea in the back of my head all the time that, you know?"

"Finally, just kind of connected the dots between seeing my kids growing and reading so many children's books with them that, you know, just kind of struck me to say, You know what? Like now's the time to do it. And Mary in the book is kind of modeled after our daughter and the story really is kind of connected to me being a Rotarian at Winter Wonderland."

"And I'm just always kind of in awe of how we pull that event off. Every single year there's so many people that make it happen. So, you know, it's also kind of a tribute to all the volunteers and all the people that make that thing happen that just does such important work and that really kind of helped inspire the charitable aspect of the book too."

"So, all the net proceeds from the book sales are going to be split between our local Rotary Foundation that is kind of the collector of all those funds from Rotary Winter Wonderland and creates those contributions that go to our local food pantries and stuff, which, you know, they need now more than ever, and then the Rotary International Foundation that also just does great work in our communities and around the world."

"So, yeah, just, you know, kind of like connecting a bunch of things that I'm passionate about, obviously, being a dad and having young kids, and went to Wonderland and Rotary in general."

"And you know, it was a cool opportunity to kind of bring those things together, share some things that have inspired me and hopefully inspire some others to do some cool things."

Riley: "How long did the process take? To get the book published?"

Ben: "The story came together earlier this year, I would say early 2025 then really the next step for me was to kind of take some of the visuals that you see in the book and just do, kind of like that napkin sketch of them, you know, just kind of initial ideas for how the book could be composed."

"And then illustration started earlier this, I would say, early summer of 2025 and worked with an absolutely talented illustrator, Kylie Canter, who, you know, kind of took those sketches that I gave her, which were a little messy, kind of like self cell phone photos with me, you know, kind of drawing over the top of him, like, here's where I think she should be standing, and here's where the bears could be and, you know, all that kind of stuff."

"So, she really kind of took my initial rough vision and really just brought it to life. I mean, the story's cool and sweet and all of that, you know, but the book definitely wouldn't be what it would be without her talents to bring it together visually, you know, so and that really kind of wrapped up early fall when the first batch of books were ordered."

"Right now, I'm just doing it self published, but the books have been selling. They've really only been for sale for a few weeks now. So, once I run out of this initial inventory, I'll have to make the decision as to whether or not to actually take it to a publisher and all of that. But we'll see. We'll see how the response goes for the next few weeks here."

Riley: "As you mentioned, the proceeds from this book will be donated, so if people wanted to get their hands on a copy of the book, what's the best way for them to do that?"

Ben: "Yeah, they've got a few options that can go to marysbrightideabook.com, and they can order one online. I do have some copies at Kaylee's Candles downtown Marshfield and working on getting it in a couple other local shops."

"And then there is a copy at the Marshfield Public Library as well if they just want to check it out or read it before buying, or just to share it with their kids and return it."

"And I'll be putting it in some other local libraries and stuff here. So, on the website, marysgreatideabook.com there is a page that shows where the books are available. So, as more and more shops get copies and stuff that'll all be updated there too."

Riley: "Anything else you'd like to add?"

Ben: " Just it's been a privilege to be a part of it. And again, grateful to Kylie for doing such amazing illustration work and grateful to the community. I mean, just the folks around town that have caught wind that it's available and for sale."

"There have been a lot of people ask me, 'Where can I get one and stuff?' So, just, it's been cool to see the response from the community too. So, hope to see it continue to grow."

(Photo courtesy of Ben Bauer via press release)

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