A celebration of imagination

Tanya Anchors funneled her creative story-telling ability into a children’s book, “Jimmy and his Amazing Flying Truck,” which she self-published in September. Submitted photo

Tanya Anchors is one such parent. When her daughter Hannah asked for a story Anchors devised a tale. Her inspiration? The freight-line truck they were cruising down the highway in.

Anchors said it took her about 15 minutes to initially come up with the narrative. Six years later, she has funneled her creative story-telling ability into a children’s book, “Jimmy and his Amazing Flying Truck,” which she self-published in September.

“The main character in my story, Jimmy, visits the president on his adventure, so I thought it would be timely to submit it again for publication,” Anchors said.

Anchors heard about the option to self-publish and with her grandmother’s encouragement she forged ahead and contracted out for the publication with Xlibris. She identified an illustrator, Dawn Philips, who specialized in children’s books and began working with her on the project long-distance from Eastern Oregon to Iowa and back again. The entire process took nearly five months to complete.

Anchors is excited to see her vision become reality in images and print.

“Kids just love it,” Anchors said of her story about the little boy who’s crazy about toy trucks. “The children I know have given me really good feedback and they also enjoyed watching the creative process.”

The book is geared for pre-kindergarten through kindergarten-age children.

“The story encourages children to imagine and realize the positive outcomes of following their dreams. I hope it gives children new ideas,” Anchors said.

In her free time, Anchors has another children’s book on the drawing table. It’s about the environment and the working title is “What if the Earth Were Human?”

In addition to pursuing her writing, Anchors is working toward her degree from Eastern Oregon University in anthropology and sociology with a minor in native studies.

“I was pleased to learn that Tanya had successfully published her children’s book. It is an important milestone for her,” said Linda Jerofke, Anchors’ adviser and associate professor of anthropology at EOU. “She is a valued member of the Speel-Ya Native American Student Council, as well as a student in the anthropology and sociology program.”

Anchors’ academic emphasis is on climate change and how it affects indigenous people, something she says is a personal passion.

“Right now I’m enjoying what I’m studying and we’ll see what direction it takes me,” Anchors said. “I’m not sure where that will be, but I am quite sure

I am on my way to a wonderful journey.”

“Jimmy and his Amazing Flying Truck” is available at EOU’s Pierce Library. The book will be available to purchase from Amazon and Barnes and Noble soon. Anchors also plans to hold a book-signing event early next year.

To view images and excerpts from Anchors’ book visit www.myspace.com/amazingflyingtruck.