Cheesy the Misplaced Pelican

The sweetest book about a pelican that found itself in Lake Placid, Florida!! 

Cheesy the Misplaced Pelican is a heartwarming picture book about finding courage, kindness, and belonging in unexpected places. When a powerful hurricane sweeps young Cheesy far away from his ocean home, he lands at Lake Placid—a quiet freshwater lake filled with new sights, new friends, and plenty of fish.

At first, everything feels unfamiliar. The other birds insist that pelicans belong at the beach, not on lakes. But when a sudden storm puts a family of ducklings in danger, Cheesy’s big wings, strong beak, and brave heart are exactly what the lake community needs.

With gentle storytelling and vivid, nature-filled illustrations, this uplifting tale reminds children that even life’s stormy days can guide us to where we’re meant to be and that being different can be a gift. A perfect choice for bedtime reading, classroom discussions, and young readers learning about resilience, friendship, and belonging.

Author Susan Blast is a Florida resident and has been visiting Lake Placid with her family for many years.  She was inspired by a real pelican who made a surprise visit to the lake.  Join her in this sweet tale and learn a little bit about lake life also.