Collective talent, and a chance encounter have led to two North Okanagan residents releasing two children鈥檚 books, with a third in the works.

Lauri Wiberg was first introduced to the artwork of Coldstream鈥檚 Nancy Vince while shopping at Olive Us in downtown Vernon. Drawn to Vince鈥檚 colourful, whimsical folk art displayed in the store, she later signed up for an art class that Vince taught at the Vernon Community Arts Centre.

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The result has led to a lasting friendship and business partnership, with the release of the women鈥檚 first children鈥檚 book, A Whimsical Journey and A Whimsical Journey, Book Two. In the works for next year is a third book called Whimsy Beneath the Waves.

鈥淥ne thing I have been asked so often over the years is, 鈥楬ave you thought of creating a children鈥檚 book.鈥� My answer always was, 鈥業 love to draw, but writing does not come easy to me.鈥� That鈥檚 where Lauri came into the bigger picture,鈥� Vince said.

Wiberg, who writes under the pen name, Laurel Ellen, had just released her first children鈥檚 book, Hunter鈥檚 Super Night, illustrated by her granddaughter, Skye Laurice, before Vince approached her. The rest is history.

A Whimsical Journey features Vince鈥檚 artwork and Wiberg鈥檚 poetry. Filled with creative pictures, where children are asked questions to find objects found within, Wiberg鈥檚 words serve as literary lullabies.

鈥淲hen we set out to create the book, we envisioned a page or two read to children before bedtime. Each poem is illustrated as a colourful drawing, full of playful peace,鈥� Vince said.

Encouraged by the success of Book One, and recalling the difficult decision of choosing which pictures to omit during the first go around, it seemed logical (and exciting) to publish Book Two.

For more information or to order a copy of A Whimsical Journey, visit .

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jennifer@vernonmorningstar.com
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