By Kimberly Gasuras | FreeWire – Your News, Your Voice
BUCYRUS—A local author and retired teacher has two books under her belt, with a third on the way and exciting events planned for 2026.
For more than three decades, Leeann Teynor read to her class as a teacher. After retiring last year, she is reading books to them that she has written and published.
“That was the one thing I knew I would miss after retiring: reading to my students,” said Teynor.
Her latest release, Daisy May, ESA, is now available on Amazon, joining her first book, Quiet Down, Deke. Both titles are published under Teynor’s KT Family Pets imprint and feature animal characters whose adventures are rooted in real-life experiences.
“I try to incorporate basic life lessons in each book. For instance, Deke was the dog that never stopped talking, so his lesson is to think before you speak and use your inside voice,” said Teynor.
The newest book focuses on Daisy, Teynor’s Cav-A-Poo, who is a registered emotional support animal.
“We visit several elementary schools to read with students. It just felt right for her book to give children tips on how to handle big feelings,” said Teynor.
Teynor and illustrator Carrie Heimlich have held two book signings and are working to schedule additional events in 2026. The books are also reaching a wider audience through several libraries.
“My son, his wife, and my grandson, who owned Deke the German Shepherd, gave me the greatest Christmas gift,” said Teynor. “They donated copies of Quiet Down, Deke to the Columbus Metropolitan Library and its branches, and the Delaware County District Library Powell Branch.”
School visits are also expanding. Teynor and Daisy are scheduled to read at several schools in the coming year, including Benjamin Harrison Elementary in Marion, The Teaching Tree Preschool and Early Learning Academy in Powell, and Walnut Creek Elementary School in Galena.
“Daisy and I are always looking for more schools to visit,” she said.
The illustrations for the series are created by Heimlich, Teynor’s niece, whose background in animal art made her a natural fit for the project. Still, the transition into children’s illustration came with its own learning curve.
“Although I have a long-standing specialty in equine and animal art, transferring that into an illustrated and child-friendly format has been a definite challenge,” said Heimlich.
Heimlich is currently working on illustrations for the third book in the series, Chicken Bully, which will address the topic of bullying.
Teynor said she already has 10 books written for the series, along with ideas for several more.
For more information, to schedule a school visit, or to learn about upcoming book
signings, email ktfamilypets@gmail.com or follow KT Family Pets on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582692574789.
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