FLORENCE, Wis. — “A Giraffe Afraid of Heights” made an official debut and was released for immediate shipping online in locations such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

This book had been written by local author Stacey Lantagne, nearly five years before this official release date. “A Giraffe Afraid of Heights” is the first of several books in a children’s book series titled the “Coping Crew.”

The second book, “A Bee Afraid of Needles” is currently available for pre-orders online and a new book in the series is set to be released every two weeks thereafter.

Lantagne will make a special appearance at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Florence County Library. There will also be a special guest visitor the last 15 minutes. Books will be for sale. Light snacks and refreshments will also be available.

“Creating these books and seeing these characters come to life now after so many years has been like a dream come true,” Lantagne said.

The target age for these books are ages 3- to 8 years old. The stories all follow a simple rhyming scheme with colorful illustrations by Chelsey Lillge of Italic Illustrator Co.

Each story focuses on a main animal character that struggles because of a specific fear, phobia or anxiety. Throughout each book with the help of friends, techniques and inner self confidence the characters work to begin overcoming these issues.

Books are edited by E.R. Donaldson and published by Mythic North Press. They are currently available in hardcover form only.

Lantagne and her husband also own an art studio, Crafters on Central at 733 Central Ave in Florence, where copies are also sold.

There will also be a special guest visit from Lantagne’s registered pet therapy dog, Thor. Lantagne and her English mastiff have been doing pet therapy for nearly five years. They have visited numerous libraries where children enjoy reading books to them as a team. They have also made visits to local nursing homes, schools and attended an event for the local Boy Scouts

Lantagne has several visits planned to include a fun day at a local library and a few within various elementary classrooms.

She also has presentations lined up and will discuss some fears, phobias and anxieties that she has personally struggled with. She will share tips, tricks and techniques that have worked for her and hopes that kids can begin to have earlier discussions about the importance of mental health awareness.

“I feel passionate about the need to reach out to children at a young age to let them know that they are never alone. I hope that through these books and in sharing my own experiences that I can help to inspire them to ask for help, be brave and that they are perfect exactly how they are,” she said.

Lantagne has created a Facebook page “Stacey Lantagne, author,” and encourages readers to follow it for additional release dates, videos, tips, tricks and more.

Lantagne is working to create a non-profit organization that will reflect her passions of art, therapy and children in the near future. Volunteering and giving back are important to Lantagne, who resides in Florence, and currently serves as the County Chamber of Commerce treasurer. She can also be found helping to referee women’s flat track roller derby locally and is a member of the 100-Plus Women Who Care group.v