Welcome to Tales from the Trowel: A Chapter Book Series, a children’s book series where history, archaeology, and storytelling come together to ignite young imaginations. We’re so happy you’re here!

We are Mike Thomin and Nicole Grinnan, an author team of real-life archaeologists and historians. With backgrounds in museums, maritime archaeology, and public outreach, we’ve spent years teaching thousands of children about the past through hands-on programs and creative education. Now, we’re bringing those stories to life in a whole new way.

The Tales from the Trowel series is written for readers in grades 3–6 and inspired by true archaeological discoveries made in Florida. Each book follows a fictional animal whose remains were uncovered during excavations, allowing us to explore the past through their eyes. Our first book, Luna the Cat, is based on the 1559 Spanish settlement of Pensacola, one of the oldest European colonies in the continental United States. Luna’s journey from quiet village life in Mexico to a shipwrecked galleon in a new land tells a story of courage, resilience, and transformation.

We believe history should be meaningful, personal, and fun. By combining the structure of the Hero’s Journey with real archaeology, we aim to spark curiosity and create lifelong advocates for heritage preservation. These stories may be about the past—but they’re written for the young minds shaping the future.

This book series is published by Mosaic Creative LLC.