By: Tom White
Miami thrives on duality—salsa beats and quiet beaches, skyscrapers and mangroves. Much like the city, Kathie FitzPatrick’s Harcourt’s Great Adventure, a children’s book about a rabbit torn between the safety of his hutch and the thrill of the wild, captures this contrast. For Miamians, a blend of dreamers and homebodies, this tale of risk, redemption, and ravenous witches resonates deeply.
Sunshine State Meets Enchanted Forest
Harcourt’s world feels unmistakably Floridian—lush forests, lurking gators (well, snakes), and storms that roar like hurricane season. FitzPatrick, a former TV producer turned author, crafts scenes so vivid readers might almost smell orange blossoms or imagine dodging afternoon downpours on Calle Ocho. “Miami’s landscape is a character itself,” she says. “The Everglades’ mystery, Biscayne Bay’s serenity—it all seeped into Harcourt’s adventures.”
When the restless rabbit flees his cage for a world of talking owls and carnivorous wolves, Miami parents might chuckle as if their teen is sneaking out to Wynwood. “Kids crave independence,” FitzPatrick observes. “But Harcourt learns that danger can lurk in pretty places. It’s a lesson that speaks to all ages.” Take the witch’s garden, bursting with forbidden veggies—it’s a sly nod to Miami’s temptations, from neon-lit nightlife to pastelitos piled too high. “Harcourt’s tummy ache after binging carrots? That’s reminiscent of every Miamian after Media Noche at 2 a.m,” FitzPatrick jokes.
From Miami Vice to Bunny Advice
FitzPatrick’s storytelling chops were honed in TV’s golden era. She produced Accent on Health, a pioneering wellness show that blended medical advice with drama, years ahead of shows like The Good Doctor. “Miami’s energy is vibrant and chaotic, and it reminds me of my TV days,” she says. “Every episode was a sprint, just like Miami’s rhythm: fast and flashy, but always with heart.”
That intensity infuses the book. Harcourt dodges magic knives and eagle talons with the breakneck pace of a Burn Notice chase scene. Yet it’s grounded in tenderness, like Miami’s quieter moments. “Harcourt’s reunion with his boy, Jimmy, is heartwarming—a bit like abuelita energy,” FitzPatrick laughs. Even Hooter, the gruff owl who becomes Harcourt’s reluctant mentor, echoes Miami’s tough-love ethos. “He’s that tío who grumbles about your life choices but still slips you $20 for cafecito,” she says.
A Legacy of Rescue On and Off the Page
Beyond bunnies, FitzPatrick’s passion is rescuing teens. Her nonprofit, Extreme Teen Rescue, has mentored incarcerated youth since 1997. “Harcourt’s impulsiveness mirrors the kids I work with,” she says. “They often think freedom means no rules. But real freedom is knowing you’re loved enough to have boundaries.”
The message resonates in Miami, where family ties anchor even the wildest spirits. FitzPatrick recalls a teen from Little Havana who, like Harcourt, ran from foster care only to realize home wasn’t a place—it was his sister’s unwavering love. “We reconnected them. That’s the power of second chances,” she says. The book’s climax, where Harcourt chooses safety over solitude, mirrors these real-life redemptions. “It’s not about giving up adventure. It’s about choosing who you adventure with,” FitzPatrick adds.
Santería, Storms, and Sazón: Miami’s Fingerprints on Every Page
FitzPatrick’s nods to Cuban santería-style witches add local flair. The antagonist, a cackling spellcaster with a hat full of charms, draws from Miami’s rich tapestry of folklore. “She’s part bruja, part abuela—the kind who’ll hex your ex but still feed you arroz con pollo,” FitzPatrick smirks. Even the storm Harcourt weathers feels inspired by Miami’s playbook: “One minute it’s sunny, the next, the sky’s throwing a tantrum. That’s our climate—and our drama!”
Illustrator T.K. Diem Nguyen embedded subtle Miami easter eggs, like palm fronds in Hooter’s tree and coral-colored sunsets reminiscent of South Beach. “Diem captured Miami’s magic—the way golden hour turns everything to glitter,” FitzPatrick says.
Why This Book Belongs in Every Miamian’s Beach Bag
With its mix of Spanglish-worthy humor (Hooter’s sassy “Nice my foot!”) and lush illustrations, Harcourt could easily become a Miami bedtime staple. It’s a bridge between cultures: the owl’s wisdom channels Abuelo’s proverbs, while Harcourt’s curiosity mirrors every teen testing curfew.
The book’s finale, where Harcourt embraces “tame” life, mirrors Miami’s balance—partying on South Beach, then healing with cafecito on the porch. “Miami’s magic lies in loving where you are,” FitzPatrick says. “Harcourt seems to get that. So do we.”
Parents may appreciate its stealthy lessons. When Harcourt outsmarts the witch by tripping her with a carrot, it’s a masterclass in resolver—using wit over strength. “Miami kids are resourceful. They’ll likely see themselves in Harcourt,” FitzPatrick says.
From Page to Parque: Bringing Harcourt to Miami’s Streets
FitzPatrick hopes for a Harcourt-themed story hour at the Pérez Art Museum or a mural in Wynwood. “Imagine Hooter perched on a palm tree, judging tourists’ selfie angles,” she laughs. She’s also in talks with Miami-Dade schools about using the book in SEL (social-emotional learning) programs. “It’s about choices: Do you chase the shiny thing or cherish what’s already yours?”
And for those craving more? A sequel, Harcourt’s Island Hopping, is in the works. “Picture Harcourt navigating Key West’s roosters or escaping a fuego during Calle Ocho,” FitzPatrick teases. “With Miami’s endless inspiration, it’s hard to stop at one book.”
Hollywood and Miami Are Watching
With its relatable message and fast-paced storytelling, Harcourt’s Great Adventure is gaining attention beyond the literary world. There’s early interest from Hollywood, including exploratory talks about a possible animated adaptation. “I’d love to see Harcourt on the big screen,” FitzPatrick says. “Maybe in a Miami-inspired version—imagine him dodging traffic on Calle Ocho!”
The post Bunny Tales & Miami Magic: Kathie FitzPatrick’s ‘Harcourt’s Great Adventure’ appeared first on Miami Wire.