A little about Jan

I’m an original, just like you.

About me and my mission

Writing has always been my artistic outlet. I've had this idea on the back-burner for a while. The Life of Ellie was intended to serve as a family relic more than anything. But as I began to write and work with an Editor, I saw the magic of the story worth sharing. Then one thing has led to another, and Ellie is now a lifestyle. :)

Like most children, my son, Carson, and his stuffy, Ellie, formed a sweet and special bond. At times, she gives him more than I can. If you have ever tried to calm a frantic toddler, you will know what I mean. I wanted to capture the relationship in a story for him to have later in life. It tells you how Ellie arrived and landed in Carson's possession by fate, only to follow every childhood step as it unfolded.

We read a lot of books to our children, and I read a lot of blogs about parenting. Scholars say longer stories are better to engage and grow a child's brain while activating their imagination. With that, I've taken the time to write a lengthy book - with 32 pages and about 1500 words! Some of the words are mature for a young audience, this serves to get your child asking what words mean, and ideally using those words in their own vocabulary. My hope is to groom children to stay in the moment and pay attention longer from an early age. At this time of age, distractions are far too available. I would love nothing more than to curb that as long as we can, and allow children the ability to always get lost in a book - rather than a phone.  At the end of the book, there's an opportunity to engage with me, the author -- another way to further activate a child's mind and increase communication between you and your child. I want to hear about your “Ellie’s!”

I have the honor to say that I funded this project with a little help from my friends! I used Kickstarter to raise the initial funds to launch my books and this site. From here it’s on me (and you) to carry the mission out. I grew up in Jacksonville Florida (Arlington), moved across the country to Portland OR in 2011, married the man of my dreams, landed the career of a lifetime throwing majors events for a national business publication, learned I can do anything I put my mind to, had two kids, and am now raising them as a stay at home mom in the heartland of the Mid-West - northwest of Minneapolis, MN. I wouldn’t change a thing, at least not in the last 10 years ;-)

It has been an extremely fun journey, and I look forward to the months ahead working with my illustrator and rolling projects out as they are ready.

Age ranges are listed below the products.  

Please note a portion from sales will be donated to Friends of the Children, an agency that connects at-risk youth mentors for 12 and a half years. No matter what.

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey!