About three years ago, Jan Olearnick’s cat jumped from the floor onto her bed and she teased, “Who does he think he is, Pounce de Leon?” After that, the Warrenton resident came up with plenty …
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Warrenton resident writes children’s books
Posted
By Kate Miller, Record Managing Editor
About three years ago, Jan Olearnick’s cat jumped from the floor onto her bed and she teased, “Who does he think he is, Pounce de Leon?”After that, the Warrenton resident came up with plenty of other quirky monickers that merged the animal world with notable characters from history; names like Alexander Graham Bull, Barko Polo, Johann “the Bassett” Bach, Napolean Bonaparrot, Unstinkable Molly Brown, Owlbert Einstein and William Snakespeare.She thought the names could be turned into characters that children would love to read about.Given her background, she would know. Before Olearnick moved to Warrenton 14 years ago, she was a elementary school librarian in Colorado, where she saw children pull themselves into a story and react with animation and enthusiasm.“Kids get excited about books,” Olearnick said, adding that children love their electronics but, “Children’s books will never die. You pick up a book, you’ll get a child’s attention.”After Olearnick created the monikers she wrote accompanying poems for each of them. She is working with Archway Publishing to illustrate and produce the books.They are being released one at a time. The first, “Louisa Moo Alcott” is about a cow who has a story similar to Louisa May Alcott, author of “Little Women.”Olearnick said the books introduce children to important historical figures.“I wanted to pair the person with an animal figure so kids remember them better,” Olearnick said.“One character is featured per book then there’s a biography of the real person,” she said.The books are about 12 pages and printed in a large font. Olearnick said the pages are easily read at bedtime, when dull lighting is ideal for reading to children and grandchildren before they drift off to sleep.“Louisa Moo Alcott” is available for purchase at the usual book sale sites and by emailing Olearnick at janolearnick@gmail.com.“There’s nothing like seeing your name on a book and seeing your name come up on Amazon and Barnes & Noble,” Olearnick said. “I even enjoy autographing them.”The next book, “Isaac Newt,” about a lizard who discovers gravity, will be released in November.
Warrenton resident Jan Olearnick released her first children's book, "Louisa Moo Alcott." It is the first in a series that combines animals and historical figures. Record photo/ Kory Carpenter.
