Susan Tager’s new children’s book was inspired by the story of a friend’s granddaughter. On a windy day at Rehoboth Beach, a kite swept the little girl off her feet, but her father rescued her. Tager said, “I’ve heard from quite a few people their children love the book or sleep with the book, and some now want a kite.”

• Share

PRINT

As the first-time author of a children’s picture book, Susan Belschner Tager, 73, has found a new happiness. Seeing her book in print, the former children’s librarian said, “has been an absolute thrill. It’s what I envisioned so many years ago.”

Before Tager’s two children were born, she worked as a children’s librarian at Enoch Pratt Library. “Like many librarians, I always had a dream to write a book. So this is my 50-year dream come true.”

Tager’s book, Carried Away, took nearly four years to bring to fruition. She was inspired by a friend’s story about her son and toddler granddaughter, who were flying a kite at Rehoboth Beach one windy summer day.

“The toddler grabs ahold of the kite string, and the wind catapults the youngster into the sky,” Tager said, “forcing her father to quickly run and save the day. I thought it was such a sweet love story that I always envisioned myself writing the story for children.”

Tager grew up in a working-class section of north Baltimore in a home where books were adored. Her sisters would read and sing songs to one another while doing daily chores, Tager recalled.

Tager was inspired not only by her childhood love of books and time as a librarian, but also by her childhood education degree from Towson University and years raising two (now adult) sons with
her husband of 45 years, David Tager, a retired Baltimore accountant.

Search for an illustrator

When the story was completed, Tager needed pictures for her picture book. After doing some research, she became affiliated with the Baltimore Academy of Illustration, where she met the school’s owner, Scott Fukua. He connected her with one of his prized students, Bethany Hiller of Pikesville. “Bethany is exceptionally talented,” Tager said.

In their collaboration as writer and illustrator, the duo set out to create the 30-page picture book, whose target audience is not limited to children, Tager said.

“People often make the mistake of thinking that picture books are created solely to focus on children. Not so,” she said. “Actually, it’s also a product for parents to read to their children — and for children to utilize, ponder and fantasize about. Children love to be read to.”

As a mother, Tager read to her sons, and now, as a grandmother, she reads to her grandsons. Her oldest grandchild is 21 years old, and her youngest is two. “[Books are] a love that should be shared and passed on,” she emphasized.

Tager has passed on that appreciation to one of her sons, Michael Tager, 39, who expanded his love of literary works into an occupation. A freelance writer and editor, he works as managing editor of a
publishing company, Mason Jar Press, based in Baltimore.

Self-publishing was fulfilling

Susan Tager admits the process of producing her first book was somewhat challenging.

“[Now is] a rather difficult time to release a new book. The bookstores and even the libraries have been closed, for the most part. So that makes it very difficult,” she said.

So, rather than seeking a traditional literary agent and publisher, Tager decided to use her own money to self-publish. She has sold about 200 copies of the book so far, mostly via Facebook. More important than book sales, Tager said, is hearing people’s reactions to the story.

“I’ve received so much positive feedback from librarians and, more importantly, children,” she said. “I’ve heard from quite a few people with children and grandchildren, and they just love the book. Some of the children sleep with the book, while others are inspired about owning a kite,” Tager said.

The moral of the story of Carried Away is a rhyme people of all ages can remember: “Either keep your feet in the sand, or never let go of daddy’s hand.”

Carried Away costs $15. For more information about the book, email sbtager46@gmail.com or call (410) 532-5242.