Sharyn “Shari” Lyon

Shari Lyon is a writer and musician, who grew up to become a teacher. Shari taught in the public schools for 40 years combining her love of children with a passion for story and music. In her role as a middle school teacher, she wrote several plays including a musical entitled Tom Sawyer on the River (script, music and lyrics). Local middle school students performed it at the Poway Performing Arts Center in 2006. Two years later, Shari guided students into the folk tale world with another of her own scripts – Hans and the North Wind. Escondido, California’s Patio Playhouse Youtheatre plans to stage this script in March of 2020.

Raised by parents who possessed a love of animals, Shari always felt drawn to stories that find universal truths in the connections made between animals and humans. In her READ TO ME, SING TO ME picture book series, Shari adds her love of music, and the power it has to touch her heart, to stories about endangered species which include a song as part of the storytelling.

Each READ TO ME SING TO ME book comes with the sheet music for the featured song, a two-track CD on which Shari reads the story and sings the song. On the second track, the main character sings the song just for fun. The series debuted in May of 2013 with the publication of But Not Gino about a short giraffe who learns he is tall enough for what really matters. Toby Came Late, which followed in March of 2015, features a monarch caterpillar that comes late to the garden but, thanks to a little boy named Max, Toby is the first butterfly of spring anyway. The most recent addition to the series is Paws, Hoofs, and Wings commissioned by San Diego Zoo Global in 2016 to honor their 100th birthday by telling the story of the Zoo’s beginnings for young people. It turns out, though, that this origin story appeals to all ages. Its message encourages us all to care about endangered animals like the Zoo’s founder, Dr. Harry Wegeforth. Each book in the series also includes a Fun Facts section so readers can find out more about the featured animals.

Although Paws, Hoofs, and Wings is exclusive to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, the other READ TO ME, SING TO ME BOOKS are sold world wide and at Botanic Gardens and Zoos throughout Southern California. Shari relishes school visits where she can reconnect with children while reading, signing and selling her books.

Along with her own books, Shari encourages other writers on their journeys to publication. Shaneil Enterprises Ink is a small publishing part of Shari’s commitment to writing. Her clients range in age from 7 – 87 years and some have even had success on Amazon. Check out Percy Penguin’s New Suit by Vicki Gordon and The Story of Gettysburg by Herb Stern. Shari is a member of San Diego Writers and Editors, SCBWI, San Diego Writers Guild, and various Wildlife Conservation organizations. Visit her YouTube channel.