Adam McHugh, a Santa Ynez Valley-based author of books published via
traditional means, hit a wall when he proposed an illustrated children’s book about
one of Solvang’s forefathers.

McHugh, whose previous books include the acclaimed “Blood From a Stone: A
Memoir of How Wine Brought Me Back From the Dead,” was told that his proposed
“Ferd and the Magic Hat: A Solvang Christmas Story” was “too local of a story,”
he said.

He said he finds that response odd, as “Solvang saw more than 800,000 visitors
during December (2024) alone.” The town routinely attracts thousands of
tourists every year to its Danish bakeries and holiday-themed businesses.

McHugh launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund his current proposal.

Kickstarter, a venue to “bring a creative project to life,” demands that all funding
be secured by a deadline, which in McHugh’s case is April 12. If his goal of
$14,250 is not secured by that date, his campaign will collapse and the book will
not see the light of day, he said.

As of Monday, pledges had reached nearly $9,500. The campaign link is online here.

McHugh noted that he is “a history dork” and is always looking for facts for the
story he wants to detail.

His book honors Solvang’s most creative pioneer, the late Ferd Sorensen,
who was knighted by the Queen of Denmark for his contributions to Solvang.

McHugh met Sorensen when he was researching “Blood From a Stone.” He called
Sorensen a “homage to the heritage and history of Solvang.”

In “Blood From a Stone,” McHugh details how he shifted from being a hospice
chaplain and grief counselor in Pasadena to a sommelier and wine tour guide and
wine and history writer in Santa Ynez.

In “Ferd,” there are little details in the illustration in Solvang that are “key to the
story.” Artist Allie Daigle is McHugh’s pick to illustrate his book.

Daigle has designed and illustrated dozens of children’s books, labels for craft
beer, posters and various advertisements. She graduated from the University of
Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, specifically illustration and design.

McHugh’s latest project details a children’s view of the story of Ferdinand “Ferd”
Sorensen, honored as the Father of Danish Architecture in Solvang.

“Ferd and the Magic Hat: A Solvang Christmas Story” tells “a whimsical
Christmas story for various generations, and also celebrates the community, the
heritage, the coziness and the bright welcome of Solvang.”

Sorensen built the first Danish windmill in Solvang and eventually helped inspire
the town council to re-create “storybook Copenhagen” in the Santa Ynez Valley.

He installed weather vanes inspired by the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen,
stork nests above gabled roofs, ornate woodwork in Solvang Restaurant, and the
Dragonspire atop King Christian Tower.  

In “Ferd and the Magic Hat,” Ferd wakes up at the dawn of the Christmas season
in a wooden windmill on a hill. He has a pointy hat with enough light to power
Christmas in his beloved village, until it gets snatched away by a pesky stork.
“Will he be able to retrieve it in time to light the big Christmas tree in the town
square tonight? He’s going to need the aid of his animal friends, who are usually
hungrier than they are helpful, if he’s going to make the whole town glow.”

Those who pledge $50 will receive an autographed copy by this Christmas.

McHugh also has written for Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, The New Wine
Review, Psychology Today, The Washington Post, Edible Magazine, the Santa
Barbara Independent, Santa Ynez Valley City Lifestyle and the Santa Ynez
Valley News. 

He and his wife, Kate, who teaches English and literature at Dos Pueblos High
School, live just outside Solvang on a farm for retired horses.