Bonus Spring-Break-Story-Time with Kizzie Jones & Anne Marie Thompson!

Join us for an extra story time during Spring Break!

Kizzie Jones is a dachshund lover and features the dogs in her award-winning children’s book series, "Dachshund Tall Tales."

Using whimsy to plant seeds of compassion, kindness, and inclusivity in the hearts of children and adults alike, Kizzie charms young readers via accurate descriptions of dogs and ocean-side life, enhanced with stunning illustrations by Bellingham artist, Scott Ward.

Scott Ward is the illustrator for all three of Kizzie‘s "Dachshund Tall Tales." He has been an artist his whole life. His colorful, whimsical paintings are regularly shown in galleries and venues across the country.

His career includes working as an artist in advertising, clothing, graphics, interiors, theater, landscapes, and murals. What a fun and creative life it has been! 
Scott lives in Bellingham, Washington, and is continuously inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. All kinds of great information is here: ScottWardArt.com.

Ann Marie Perales Thompson, of Hispanic descent, was born in Los Angeles, California where she lived most of her life. She now lives in Washington state where she has resided for 7 years.  Ann Marie’s passion for writing children’s stories and illustrating started at a very early age.  She wrote her first children’s story at the early age of nine years old in which she received a merit award from Mt. San Antonio College.  In her graduating year of High school Ann Marie also received a scholarship in art.  Her inspiration for her illustrations derived from her favorite childhood illustrator Charles M. Schulz.  She loves the humor and whimsical characters.  As a child she loved the personal connection that she felt she had with Charlie Brown.  You can see the influence from Charles M. Schulz in Ann Marie’s work.  Ann Marie is definitely an advocate for the underdog, and always wants to give the least likely characters a chance to shine.  You will find her compassion and empathy for these lovable characters in her stories.  Her characters fuel her passion for writing stories, that she hopes inspires little children.  Ann Marie never imagined she would be a published author.  She finds encouragement from the quote “If we spend enough time dreaming, then the dream might eventually become real.”  Fennel Hudson.  Her dream is now real.