Local Author Writes Children’s Book; Inspires Others

A local woman and former Zanesville City Schools teacher who was diagnosed with cancer is hoping to inspire others this Easter holiday with a newly written book.

Meet Karen Dyser, author of Bailey Bunny and the Fear Monster. After receiving the devastating news in 2008 that she had stage 3 ovarian cancer, Karen began having many fears and anxieties of dealing with such shocking news. However, a ray of light opened up for this courageous and driven woman to help beat the odds. Her doctor challenged her to use her teaching skills to write a children’s book about fears.

"Went home that afternoon and sat on my patio and the story almost wrote itself. I sat down and wrote the first draft and as I wrote it, I could picture in my mind the way I wanted the illustrations to be," said Dyser.

Karen always loved using children’s literature when she taught as a kindergarten teacher and feels it’s a great outlet not only for her dealing with her own fears, but to children as well.

"The mother bunny provides Bailey Bunny with a courage stone that he slips under his pillow at night and he can reach under and graps that stone to remind him that he has within himself the strength and the power to maybe not overcome fear but manage fear," said Dyser.

Karen is happy to report she has been cancer free and gets three month routine checkups. Karen will hold a children’s reading of her book Saturday April 16 at 10:30 at the John Mcintire Library followed by a book signing at 11:30. If you cannot make the book signing but still want a copy of her book, you can visit www.halopublishing.com