Sherwood author Carolyn McBee debuts children’s book
A new children’s book is now available by a debuting Sherwood author
SHERWOOD, Ore. — A new children’s book is now available by a debuting local Sherwood author.
“Hoodwinked: A Deer Mouse Tale of Courage” published in January 2026 by Carolyn McBee, targeted toward children ages 5-11.
This Oregon-rooted adventure story follows the tale of a tiny deer mouse named Clarence navigating the Tualating River Wildlife Refuge and plant nurseries after being unexpectedly carried far from home, blending themes of wildlife education, courage, perseverance, and belonging.
Along the way, Clarence meets new friends and predators and tests his love and loyalty on his way to reunite with his family.
McBee is a lifelong Oregonian descended from Oregon wagon train pioneers, who has lived in Sherwood since 1996.
Born in Portland, McBee has deep roots in the local Sherwood community and spent 32 years teaching in Portland, Lake Oswego, and Japan before retiring from teaching to a Sherwood cottage. Her post-graduate teaching certificate is from Lewis and Clark College.
She graduated from Oregon State University’s School of Forestry, and enjoys gardening, camping, crafting, watercolor, travel — and her cat. McBee loves books and wildlife, drawing her writing inspiration from the landscapes and ecosystems of Oregon, weaving real-life environmental details into her imaginative tales.
“I wrote the story about a year or two after I retired, and it came about because I had an actual experience with a mouse in a car my friend was driving,” McBee said. “As we were driving down Highway 99 we stopped at a light, and from underneath the hood of the car came this mouse and peeked at us through the windshield. It looked just as surprised as we were to see it! And then, it took off.”
She said all day, she could not get that little mouse out of her mind. When they got back to the farm, they checked under the car and found a mouse nest with a stash of food.
“The rest of the day I just thought, what happened to him? Did he die? Did he try to make it back to the farm?” McBee said. “So I sat at the computer and just started typing the story, because I just needed him to get back.”
The journey to publication was a long road, but eventually Houston, Texas-based Morgan Pierce Media & Publishing picked it up.
McBee’s debut book comes after teaching many students to write, as well as a few essay contests including one for Nike where she won a sesquicentennial wagon train trip.
She is currently touring a series of book signings and storytime events throughout the area, including a May reading at the Sherwood Bookstore, readings at different schools, as well as joining in the Newberg First Friday Art Walk throughout June.
Learn more about McBee and “Hoodwinked: A Deer Mouse Tale of Courage” on her Facebook page at facebook.com/carolyn.mcbee
