![]() ![]() "It's been my lifelong dream to own a bookstore and here I am a partner in two," said Debra, who is a collector of children's books and an avid Harry Potter fan. The animal sculpture was Carole's idea and she encouraged Debra to bring the story to life as well as mentoring her to become a partner, along with CBR Partners and Delaware North, in the two bookstores. The book is dedicated to Debra's sons – Michael, 28, and Hogan, 25 – for whom she is "so proud of how you fly!" And to Carole Howe, the creative force and founder of CBR Partners, which owns the Minnesota State of Nice store along with Delaware North. But themes in the book about friendship – and having the courage to fly – also include an autobiographical thread. It's a charming picture book that describes how the topmost animal, Ely the Eagle – with the help of her forest friends (all named for Minnesota cities) – embarks on her first flight to visit her grandmother. (For those not traveling through MSP, the book can be purchased online and at Irreverent Bookworm in Minneapolis and Winding Trail Books in St. Three years later, "Ely Eagle Learns to Fly" debuted and is now featured front and center at all three stores at MSP. "First thing in the morning, after waking up, I jotted down a story outline and emailed it to everyone on the team, and they all said, 'We should make that into a book.'" ![]() "I woke up in the middle of the night and had this story about how all these animals ended up stacked on top of one another," said Debra.
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