Spark Spotlight: Children’s Book Author JeanAnn Taylor

JeanAnn Taylor is a children's book author and illustrator. Her works The Little Girl Who Loves to Twirl, Mermaid Magic, and I Will Spin Again. In 2011, her very first book The Little Girl Who Loves to Twirl was published. JeanAnn describes it as almost a biography — a story about a little girl who gets in trouble for expressing herself in a way that excites her (twirling in circles). But when she finally takes lessons and learns to spin like a ballerina, she doesn’t get into trouble anymore. JeanAnn is a dancer herself and enjoys ballet, ballroom, and country dancing. She is also a needle artist interested in crochet, embroidery, quilting, doll, and dressmaking. Needless to say, JeanAnn loves creating. She describes the connection she has made between dancing and writing as the two mediums that have taught her to confidently get up and keep going, unafraid of failure and with her heart fully engaged. 

So, when she decided she would illustrate Mermaid Magic herself, she started taking lessons and practicing, and knew it would take no less than determination and patience to succeed. After successfully illustrating Mermaid Magic, she didn't stop there, even in the face of surprising obstacles. In September 2018, JeanAnn was hit by a truck. During her 6-month recovery period, JeanAnn was going to miss a dance competition she had been preparing for, but this didn’t stop her from continuing in her creative endeavors. She spent the time in recovery writing and illustrating her next book, I Will Spin Again, a story about healing, inspired by her journey. JeanAnn leads by example by showing your dreams can come true through love, self-acceptance, patience, determination, and the will to always follow your heart.

Written by Emily Euchner