About
Joanne is the author and illustrator of The Crooked Dog series, a heartfelt children’s book collection inspired by her rescued Dachshund, Jo Jo. After spending more than 30 years in banking, Joanne discovered a new chapter in life when she became a grandmother. Reading books with her grandsons, Stanley and Bristow, awakened her love for children’s stories and inspired her to create books of her own.
A lifelong resident of Hawaii and now a world traveler through her family’s move to Bali, Joanne brings warmth, joy, and a deep appreciation for family and connection into her work. She creates all of her own illustrations, often drawing while watching happy movies because she believes joy can be felt through the artwork.
Dogs have always been central to Joanne’s life, especially Dachshunds. Jo Jo, the inspiration behind The Crooked Dog series, came into her life through rescue and later survived a serious back injury. His slightly crooked walk became the heart behind the series name. Through her books, Joanne shares a meaningful message with families: pets are forever family, and with love, care, patience, exercise, and a healthy diet, animals can live happy, cherished lives.
A Mediums Guide to the Paranormal
Description
<p>Do angels, ghosts and demons really exist, or are they a figment of our over active imagination? Can ghosts, demons and spirits harm you? If you don't believe in them they can't bother you right? How can you protect yourself against the paranormal? Do we live once and it's all over or do we come back time and again to live new lives? In this book, you will gain information about the paranormal from a psychic-mediums perspective. As a psychic medium I have gathered a lot of information about the other side. The book covers over more than 40 years of paranormal related information interspersed with my own personal paranormal encounters. Anyone who is interested in the paranormal including ghosts, demons, orbs and hauntings will enjoy the many topics covered in this book. Those interested in spiritualism, new age topics and metaphysics will find many of the chapters such as past lives, possession and death and the soul connection. People who are experiencing their own paranormal occurrences such as hauntings and spirit attachments will find help and information to help them. People of all ages, walks of life and many religions will find something of interest in the book. Even those who do not believe in the paranormal will enjoy many of the thought provoking topics covered in this book.</p>
Story Behind The Book
The story behind The Crooked Dog Goes to a Farm comes from my love for dogs, children, and the lessons we learn through kindness.
Jo Jo is inspired by my real rescue Dachshund, who came into my life on Mother’s Day in 2011. He had a difficult beginning and later suffered a serious back injury, but with love, patience, and care, he healed. He still walks a little crooked, and that is how The Crooked Dog series got its name.
In this story, Jo Jo visits a farm with his best friend, Kelly. He is excited to meet all the animals, but he forgets that some of them are smaller and more delicate than he is. Through his adventure, Jo Jo learns an important lesson about being gentle, showing empathy, and treating others with care.
As a grandmother, I wanted to create stories that children could enjoy while also learning simple, meaningful values. My grandsons helped inspire my love for children’s books, and my lifelong love for Dachshunds helped inspire Jo Jo’s journey.
At its heart, The Crooked Dog Goes to a Farm is about friendship, self-control, kindness, and understanding that everyone deserves love and gentle care, whether they are children, animals, or rescue pets looking for a forever home.
