Staff Report

 

Jeanne LaSala Taylor delighted friends and neighbors as she read from her new children’s book, Just Bunny and the Great Fire Rescue, illustrated by Ana Sebastian and published by Mascot Books, on December 14, 2019 at The Larchmont Fire Station, 120 Larchmont Avenue.

 

The neighborhood event was supported by The Larchmont Fire Department and The Larchmont Professional Firefighters Association Local 895 who provided the refreshments.

 

“Parts of the story actually happened to me and 3 of my friends as we lived on the second floor of a building in New York City that caught fire years ago. It was an amazing experience to see how firefighters help,” Taylor mentioned.  “My respect for them has gone even farther since.”

 

Incorporating her 2 young daughters as characters illustrated in the book, Taylor is hoping to write a series of books using the Just Bunny theme. This book was written as a thank you to the brave men and women of the FDNY and to all firefighters everywhere who put their lives on the line for the safety of others and the protection of their homes, churches, offices and cherished belongings, Taylor explained.

 

The Just Bunny story tells of Francesca’s bunny stuffed animal, who has been with her through thick and thin. Nothing can tear these two apart—except, maybe, a fire. Thankfully, one of New York’s Bravest is on the scene to prove that selfless acts of kindness happen every day.

 

Taylor by profession is a working actress.  She ran a theatre company in NYC called Coyote Rep and has performed in many off Broadway plays, done commercial acting, currently does voice-overs and recites audio books. The Larchmont resident has written some plays and screenplays but she said, “Writing a children’s book was something new. I wanted to write a thank you to firefighters and decided to write this book a year ago. It was a labor of love.”

 

 A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the NYFF Burn Center Foundation in recognition of their service and sacrifice. As those who have been rescued from a fire know, no amount of money can ever match the contribution of firefighters to society, Taylor maintained.

 

“Just Bunny and the Great Fire Rescue will be part of our fire prevention program for the way it encourages children to respect and trust firefighters everywhere whether it be a large city or a small village. Helping people - and ‘bunnies’ - is our life’s work,” noted -Chief John Caparelli, Larchmont Fire Department.

 

Taylor will be having another booksigning at Andersons Book Store, Larchmont on January 25 at 11am.