ANN MARY IN PICKENS CANYON
Ann Cohen
ISBN 13: 978-1-58790-5909-2 / 70 pages / hardback / 8.5”x11” / $40
ABOUT THE BOOK
Ann Mary in Pickens Canyon takes place in 1959. It is a wonderful tale of a young girl’s search for the mythic Waterfall near her home in the San Gabriel Mountains. This adventurous child is 12 years old and spends most of her time exploring her neighborhood. Sometimes her older brother will take her on an adventure down the slippery Los Angeles wash that flows through the city or up the canyon to find hidden paths. Often, she will walk along the top of the rock wall at the back of her family’s home, talking to the creatures like the horny-toads and the birds along the way. This delights Ann Mary as all creatures big and small are her best friends. The forest animals have been closely watching this child and her siblings as they have explored Pickens Canyon over the years. Our eco system is fragile and the Guardians of the Mountain have chosen to reveal their deepest secrets with this family. There is a surprise around every bend on the path and along the shallow stream this child follows. Enjoy this short fairytale and the adventure it takes you on.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I was a young widow at the age of 22 and again 17 years later. So now at 74, happiness, family, and drawing are my life’s passion.
I founded and operated a preschool called Annie’s Little Farm for 32 years. Our children’s garden was filled with laughter, storytelling, singing, and making stories that the children created. I closed my school around 7 years ago.
Stories and drawing have been with me since a young girl and continues today. In my latest book, Ann Mary in Pickens Canyon, I am that little girl and at the end of my street was the beginning of Pickens Canyon where the story begins. I always wanted to see the waterfalls and never got there. I started writing Ann Mary in Pickens Canyon about 15 years ago, and just recently finished it.
During this last year while the world was going through isolation, I kept myself busy in a creative fashion, drawing drawing the illustrations to fit my stories.
I have the passion of the pen to draw the moment; drawing the people and places in the Bay Area music scene. I’ve documented thousands of local and well-known bands up the coast through Oregon, British Columbia, and over to Europe in cities like Berlin and Paris.
I take a moment to hear the music dance through me while the hand goes to the paper and documents the moment. I continue to follow the music, always on the hunt for the next draw in restaurants, cafes, clubs, or just wherever I am.
I have published four books filled with the stories and drawings since 2020.