Mudgy & Millie's mom is 7/4 grand marshal

The grand marshal for the 2018 Coeur d’Alene Fourth of July Parade is author Susan Nipp, announced the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce.

Susan Hagen Nipp has deep roots in Idaho. According to a press release from the chamber, all four of Nipp’s grandparents emigrated from Norway to Coeur d’Alene in the 1920s. Her parents met at Coeur d’Alene High School, married, and moved to Spokane where Susan was born. She received her music degree from Whitworth College in 1966 and taught high school English in Marysville, Wash., and elementary music in Lake Oswego, Ore.

In 1977, Nipp and collaborator Pam Beall created Wee Sing, a line of children’s music books, CDs, videos, toys, and apps. More than 80 titles have been produced, with sales not only in the United States and Australia but in Europe, Asia, and Africa to teach English through music. The authors have traveled extensively, nationally and internationally, speaking at conferences, giving music workshops for teachers and parents, and entertaining children.

In 1979, Nipp moved with her husband, Charlie, and two sons, Ryan and Devin, to Coeur d’Alene. Nipp’s first community involvement was through the Coeur d’Alene Parks and Recreation programs where she taught pre-school music classes to children and parents. She directed the area Idaho Centennial Choir during Idaho’s centennial celebration. Susan was also involved in music programs at First Presbyterian Church and the North Idaho College Community Choir. She is a member of the Women’s Gift Alliance.

Nipp was a founding member of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation in 1995 and continues to serve on the board.

Her current community project is the creation of Mudgy & Millie, a book about a moose and mouse playing hide-and-seek in Coeur d’Alene. Five bronze statues have been placed in town to correspond to the story. She collaborated with illustrator Charles Reasoner and sculptor Terry Lee on the project, which has encouraged children to read and to walk on the Mudgy Moose Trail.

From the inception of the Mudgy & Millie project, Nipp has directed that all proceeds be given to the Coeur d’Alene Library Foundation to further community literacy. With more than 27,000 copies sold, the Library Foundation has received more than $95,000 from the proceeds of the book.

Nipp has donated her time, visiting more than 80 schools and community events to read the book and talk about the writing of the story. She also encourages literacy at annual Mudgy & Millie birthday parties and Mudgy & Santa singalongs.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mudgy & Millie this year, Nipp and her husband are introducing a new series of Mudgy & Millie travel books, the first being a visit to Australia. The new books will be donated to all area schools to continue promoting reading. Additional books will be created as the moose and mouse travel around the world in their hot air balloon. All proceeds from the series will continue to go to the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation.