Posted: 3/8/06

Local author finds IT, meaning of happiness

byElyse Kaner Staff writer Janae Bower’s writing career has come together like the fine-tuned sections of asymphony orchestra.Last month Bower of Coon Rapids released her second book in her “Little IT” seriestitled “The Little Boy Who Found IT: A Story of Heart and Hope.”The 49-page book is about following your heart, finding your heart and listening to it,Bower said.Although it is geared toward children, Bower wrote the inspirational book for people agefive to 95 years old.In 2003 Bower penned her first book, “The Little Girl Who Found IT: A Story of Heartand Hope.” Readers were so touched by the book, tracing a little girl’s journey throughher stages of life to finally find the meaning of happiness, that they asked when she wasgoing to write a book for boys.She began thinking about writing her first book in 1996. A poem kept popping into her mind. One year after graduating from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in journalism and communications, she wrote the poem, but tucked it away.“I kept getting a whisper that it was time to write my book,” she said. She solicited thetalents of her father-in-law, John Bower, Sr., who illustrated the book. He gave the littlegirl a symbolic heart-shaped body.Seven years later, in 2003, the book was released. It was met with accolades.

“I read this to my kids and I was very touched. I had tears in my eyes,” one reader toldBower.Another ordered 10 copies for her friends. Still another reader wrote in an e-mail toBower, “I don’t think I read your story by chance. I needed this more than my little girldid.”After the book was released a series of serendipitous events occurred. A womancontacted her.“I just wanted to let you know, I read your book and you helped me find ‘IT’,” she said.One of her passions was making dolls. Would she be interested in teaming in a business partnership? Bower agreed.Her sister-in-law, Kim Mielke, who has a passion for making jewelry, launched an IT pincollection with Bower Bower’s “The Little Girl Who Found IT” took first-place honors in the MidwestIndependent Publishers Association 2003 Book Achievement Awards in the self-helpcategory.The birth of her son, Gavin, two years ago inspired her to write a second book – that andthe prodding from her reading audience.But sadly, her father-in-law died unexpectedly. Bower questioned whether she shouldcontinue the series.“I just prayed a lot,” she said. “If it were going to happen, I’d find an illustrator.”One day, Lynette Daniel, contacted her after hearing Bower speak at a church. She wasan art teacher at Dayton Elementary School and was interested in illustrating for Bower.Daniel submitted her work, Bower liked it. The rest is, well, a story of heart and hopefrom a little boy’s point of view. Daniel carried on the tradition of Bower’s father-in-lawand drew the little boy with a heart-shaped body.Today, Bower’s book business has blossomed into a line of novelty items: an IT little girland boy doll, with concentric layers of hearts hidden inside, a line of pins, purses and jeans for children. Also, Bower and local musician Barbara McAfee collaborated on acompanion music CD, “The Little Girl Who Found IT.” The CD contains about a dozenuplifting songs.Bower is busy these days balancing and dividing her time among family, career, writingand speaking engagements.