Families gathered this weekend for a lively afternoon of stories, music, and community at the premiere live reading of Harmony Woods: Camp Tempo, the second book in local author Erin Huxley’s educational children’s series.
Huxley, a music teacher turned writer, created Harmony Woods out of a need she saw in the classroom.
“I was trying to come up with a way to teach high and low sounds in music to little kids who aren’t yet playing the piano or studying instruments,” she explained.
“I couldn’t find any stories that existed, so I wrote one. That became my first book, and Camp Tempo teaches speed in music.”
The event marked the first-ever live reading of Camp Tempo, a milestone Huxley described with both pride and humour.
“This is the second book in what I hope will be a four-part series teaching early musical concepts,” she said.
“What makes it special? Honestly, it’s better than the first one because we’re more experienced now.”
Beyond storytelling, the afternoon included mask-making, scavenger hunts, and dress-up fun, creating a playful atmosphere where literacy and music education met creativity.
But the launch wasn’t just about books. Proceeds from sales supported Sato Saved Rescue, a non-profit that helps animals find safety and new homes. The cause is personal for Huxley.
“My cat is actually from Sato Saved,” she noted. “They had a litter of kittens, and that’s where I adopted mine. And my illustrator’s dog, Gabe, was also rescued through them. So it felt right to give back.”
For Huxley, the hope is that children walk away with more than just a storybook memory.
“Music education has been a little missed in public schools,” she said. “I’m just trying to expose kids to as much classical music and literature as possible.”
With a warm mix of storytelling, music, and community spirit, Harmony Woods is striking the right chord — one note, one page, and one family at a time.
