Tracie Cicchitti is a children’s author, former elementary school teacher, lifelong storyteller, and explorer at heart. She grew up in the mountains of Western Maryland, where the beauty of nature, a big imagination, and a love of books first sparked her curiosity about the world and her passion for storytelling.

After moving to Cape May, New Jersey, Tracie taught elementary school before joining her husband, Capt. Jim Cicchitti, in their family’s marine tourism business. For nearly three decades, she worked alongside Jim on the water, experiencing firsthand the excitement and wonder that come with discovering the natural world. She watched generations of families experience the ocean together—from spotting wildlife and catching a first fish to simply feeling the thrill of heading out on the water in search of adventure.

Exploration has always been an important part of Tracie’s life. She has traveled extensively throughout the world and believes the best way to experience a destination is to immerse herself in it. Rather than simply seeing the sights, she seeks active adventures that take her into the heart of a place—experiencing local traditions, meeting people, discovering different cultures, exploring the outdoors, and learning about the ways people live. Her travels have broadened her perspective, deepened her curiosity, and continue to provide inspiration for the stories she tells.

Those experiences, together with Jim’s adventurous spirit and Tracie’s background as an educator, inspired the North Star Adventures Children’s Book Series. Through stories that blend imagination, exploration, and discovery, Tracie invites children to become North Star Explorers—to ask questions, notice the world around them, try new things, and approach each adventure with curiosity, kindness, and an open heart.

Storytelling has been part of Tracie’s life for as long as she can remember. Throughout the years, she has continued to nurture her craft through writing circles, retreats, reading, and the simple practice of putting words on the page. She is drawn to stories that encourage curiosity, create connection, and invite readers to see the world with a greater sense of wonder. Today, writing brings together so many threads of her life—her background as an educator, her love of nature, her travels, her experiences on the water, and her belief in the power of a good story to inspire both children and the grown-ups who share those stories with them.

When she isn’t writing or traveling, Tracie finds some of her favorite adventures close to home. She and her dog, Stella, walk—and sometimes swim—the beaches of Cape May year-round, no matter the season or weather. For Tracie, the beach is never the same place twice. Every season, every tide, and every walk offers something new to notice, explore, and discover.

Tracie also treasures time with her son, Nicholas. In the kitchen, she happily serves as his sous chef as they create delicious meals working side by side. They believe that sharing a meal with the people you love is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Their time together often extends well beyond the kitchen: they share a love of reading and discussing literature, enjoy a little friendly competition over board games, and value the conversations, laughter, and traditions that come from simply spending time together.

Whether immersing herself in a different culture halfway around the world, exploring the beach with Stella, preparing a meal with Nicholas, or getting lost in a good book, Tracie believes that curiosity keeps us discovering, while connection gives those discoveries meaning.

Through North Star Adventures, she hopes to inspire children and the grown-ups who love them to explore more deeply, ask more questions, connect more meaningfully, and discover the extraordinary wonder waiting in the world around them.

“Every great adventure begins with curiosity.”