Heather Mahlinger and her daughter Mackenzie have debuted their first children’s book, Taylor’s Tangles. Heather authored the book, while Mackenzie was responsible for all of the illustrations. Heather said the book is a playful and humorous story that aims to teach young readers about tackling small problems before they grow out of control.
Heather added that the story was inspired by her real-life experiences with her other daughter Taylor, whose fine hair would often become tangled. To keep her daughter entertained while untangling the knots, Heather would tell an imaginative story — a tale that has now been transformed into a children’s book.
“This story was born out of a practical need to keep my kids still while dealing with their tangled hair,” Heather said. “It was a fun way to teach them the importance of addressing small issues before they become big problems.”
Heather said readers can expect a whimsical journey filled with humorous characters, including nesting birds, mice having a tea party, a dachshund, and even a goose. Her message is clear: procrastination can turn small challenges into major tangles, and she delivers this lesson in a light-hearted and fun manner for children.
Mackenzie brought the story to life with watercolor artwork. Currently studying at the Barcelona Academy of Art in Spain, Mackenzie redid all of the illustrations while home in Owensboro for the summer.
“She wanted the illustrations to be perfect,” Heather said. “We spent the summer side by side, working on it together. It was a beautiful experience.”
Taylor’s Tangles is the first release from Roo Publishing, the local company Heather and Mackenzie founded to produce their book. The duo is already working on future projects.
Heather will be signing copies of Taylor’s Tangles on December 7 at the Daviess County Public Library from noon to 2 p.m.
The book is available in both hardback and paperback and can be purchased through major retailers, including Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.
For more information, visit HeatherMahlinger.com or RooPublishing.com.
