Grant County Journal

“Living a Story Book Life”

By Carol O’Callaghan

COULEE CITY ~ When Corinne Isaak gets an idea, she really gets an idea. Last November, she decided it might be fun to a write a story about her youngest daughter, Monique, then a kindergartner ~ now she has a book, CD, and a doll all ready to hit the market. “I had always wanted to do something with writing,” says Isaak, who has a strong creative streak, a passion for language, and apparently a reservoir of energy. Standing in her farm kitchen while Madeline and Monique painted pictures at the counter, the petite 31-year-old explained that “it all started when Moki (Monique) realized that Maddie had all her own books and toys” including one whole wall devoted to a mural of the classic storybook character ‘Madeline’ created by Ludwig Bemelmans. “So when I sent the kids off to school last November,” she continued, “I said to myself, ‘I’m just going to do this,’ and the first four lines just came to me: Nestled out in the sticks… On a quaint little farm…Dwells a girl so unique…With great wit and sweet charm…” It’s the story of a farm girl. Of a middle child. Of living in the country. Of imagination. And as the title indicated, of being ‘unique.’ Sprinkled with frilly words like Maitre d’, chauffeur and toupee, each page depicts an hour of Moki’s life: the morning routine, school, daydreaming, dancing lessons…. It is told in charming rhyme, with beautiful illustrations and an unflagging exuberance and ‘panache’ that captures the character of Isaakk’s middle child. Painting furiously, her mouth full of grape Bubblicious and wearing pink cowboy boots, Monique ~ Moki as she is nicknamed ~ admits that it’s “pretty neat” to have a book about herself.

Isaak knew after those first four lines that she wouldn’t be able to do it all alone, so she enlisted the help of friend Karen Cooper of Hartline, a talented seamstress and designer, to help create a Moki doll. It didn’t take much convincing. Cooper jumped at the chance to put her creative talent to use, and not just at the sewing machine. Together they wrote every line of the story and the lyrics to the CD, Cooper even helped illustrator Don Nutt Paint

the clocks that adorn every other page. “It’s been the most exciting thing for me,” says Cooper, “one of those adventures you start into. And the more we got into it the more creative we got.” Writing on napkins, road maps, anything that was handy, the two would inspire each other wherever they were. “What one of us couldn’t think of, the other ones would dream up,” she said, referring to friends they brought on board. Artist, painter and contractor Don Nutt of Coulee City created the illustrations. A father of three himself, Nutt had done the wall mural of “Madeline” and will make a new mural on Moki’s walls now, pages from a book that really is about her. Kelley Morris of Hartline took on the project of graphic design, learning everything she knows about the process in her ‘living room office’ while staying home with four kids. Morris also created the website www.mokitime.com, which offers author profiles, a sneak preview and sound clips from the CD. Songwriters were enlisted, relatives-by-marriage who live in Nashville. A young couple charged with their first real CD contract, they took on the job with enthusiasm, emailing ideas and calling late at night to sing into the phone. Familiar with the tedium of many children’s CDs, Isaak and Cooper were careful to make sure this one would appeal to both parents and kids. The tracks are stylistically distinct and musically sophisticated, while sweet enough for kids to appreciate. There are even some tracks with lyrics removed, so kids can take a stab at stardom. One thing is pretty sure, they shouldn’t get bored.

“We had a definite framework in mind when we started out,” Corinne says while keeping one eye on the girls now “making experiments’ in the kitchen. “We wanted it to be a wholesome product with a positive spirit,” she said. “There are a lot of things in life that are sad and negative, but no matter where your walk is in life, you can pick it up and get something positive out of it.” And there are educational aspects, learning your phone number and get acquainted with time. There are even some fancy French words and a kid-friendly glossary. But mostly… “It is sweet and innocent,” she says, “I want a child to open up this book and escape. To identify with this character, to see this barn loft, this scenery, and fall in love with it.” It’s a big idea. With small town heart and soul.