Growing up with horses and dogs as friends as companions, Judy shared her love for animals and all of nature with sons Jeremy and James Dustin. After obtaining an M.A. Ed. from The College of William and Mary, her work as an educator in natural science museums in Virginia and Texas led her to the firm belief that every wild creature needs to be understood and respected in order to be appreciated and valued. In Jessica the Furry Baroo, young children learn that commonly feared animals like snakes and skunks do not want to harm people and actually have important jobs in nature that make the world work better for all of us. Jessica the Furry Baroo is the first in a series of picture storybooks for young children that show the lives of “wild” animals though the perspective of the animal. Judy continues to teach museum environmental science classes and tours with some live characters from the book such as a snake, turtle, and bullfrog, accompanied by Jessica’s Australian Shepherd cousins Jesse and Skye. She lives with her husband Brad by a lake in Rockwall, Texas, and rides her paint horse Hunter whenever she has time.

Silver Reef Farm in Copper Canyon, Texas was Jeremy’s childhood home. Jeremy and JD spent countless hours building tree forts in the woods, catching lizards in the sand, sleeping with barn critters in the hay loft, and lying in grassy fields with the horses and the cows watching the sun cross perfect Texas skies. Jeremy grew up with a family of friends and animals who were his playmates and confidants, and believed he was their protector as much as they were his. He believes now that in this one life that we have, those that mean everything to us should be loved, cared for, respected, and always remembered. Our souls are all connected, and through our books we try to pay them back for all they have given us. Jeremy graduated from The University of Arizona and lives in Richmond, Virginia where he is a lyricist, singer and songwriter.

ILLUSTRATOR:

Karen Brown is a full-time professional artist who began her art education in private studies with Lucretia Newman, a student of Frank Reaugh. Since then she has continued her studies with nationally known artists, concentrating on painting in oils. Her main area of expertise includes paintings of children, horses, and western-themed scenes of cowboys and American Indians. She and her husband Tony live on twenty acres in Nemo, Texas, much like the horse farm in Jessica the Furry Baroo. Illustrating this book has been a wonderful opportunity to incorporate two of her loves: painting children and horses. To view more of Karen’s work, view her website: www.karenbrownartist.com.

$14.95
Paperback, 8.5x11
ISBN: 978-159858-364-9
44 pages

$24.95
Hardcover, 8.5x11
ISBN: 978-159858-398-4

Available at fine bookstores everywhere