Bellingham Man, 60, Pens and Illustrates First Children’s Book, “Salty Bobby Dreams His Dream”

Guest Article by Jessy Kravchenko

Bellingham, WA — Eric M. Stewart, a 60-year-old Bellingham resident, has embarked on an unexpected new adventure: writing and illustrating his first children’s book, Salty Bobby Dreams His Dream. A tale brimming with imagination and heart, the book is dedicated to Stewart’s children and grandchildren, inspired bedtime stories Stewart would make up.

The story follows the character of Bobby, a salty old seafarer with the adventurous spirit of a young boy. Living along the rugged shores of the Pacific Northwest, Bobby dreams of exploring the coastal waters and experiencing the thrill of the ocean. As night falls, his dream takes him to the kelp forests, driftwood-laden beaches, and rocky shores that seem to call his name. But, as dreams often do, Bobby’s adventure takes an unexpected turn.

Stewart, who has lived in Bellingham his entire life, said the idea for the book came from his deep love of the sea and the stories of exploration he grew up hearing. “There’s something magical about the coastal waters here,” Stewart said. “I wanted to capture that sense of wonder and mystery.”

The book’s illustrations, also created by Stewart, evoke the same sense of whimsy and adventure found in the story. With its hand-drawn images of the Pacific Northwest’s iconic landscapes— including, stormy skies, and expansive beaches—the book draws readers into Bobby’s world, blending the tranquility of nature with the thrill of the unknown.

Though Stewart is a first-time published author, his passion for storytelling and art shines through in every page. His dedication to his family is evident in the book’s heartfelt dedication to his children and grandchildren, making Salty Bobby Dreams His Dream not only a celebration of adventure, but also of family bonds.

For Stewart, the journey to publication was a labor of love. “I’ve always enjoyed creating—whether it was drawing or telling stories—but I never imagined I’d be putting something like this out into the world,” he said. “It feels amazing to know my family can share in this, and I hope the story will inspire kids to dream big, explore, and embrace the unexpected.”

Salty Bobby Dreams His Dream is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is Stewart’s hope that his book will not only entertain but also inspire young readers to find their own sense of adventure, just as Bobby did in the book. As for Stewart, he’s already thinking about the next adventure he’d like to write about, proving that, like Bobby, the spirit of exploration never really ends.