Author & Illustrator
Sitting at the dining room table...
Jenny Baran wrote the first draft of Francisco the Bunny in a composition notebook from the Dollar Tree. A pet portrait of Francisco painted by Tony Baran was a constant reminder of the beloved bunny who passed away, and a heartwarming idea that still lived on. Together, the husband and wife team set out on making a children's book, celebrating Francisco's origin story.
Jenny Baran
Jenny Baran, author of Francisco the Bunny, earned her BS in Public Relations from San Jose State University and MA in Pastoral Ministries from Holy Names University. Born in San Francisco, California, Jenny has crafted career paths in children’s dance instruction and social work simultaneously. Her dance training from Schumacher’s School of Dance, Notre Dame De Namur University’s School of Theater, and tap master Sam Weber, led Jenny to teaching children’s dance classes for several award-winning studios across the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. Jenny has helped hundreds of parents and children through her past case management work with Placer County Office of Early Childhood Education, San Jose State University Enrollment Services, and other educational institutions in Northern California. See how Jenny shuffles her careers with motherhood, faith and family at Mommyshuffles YouTube Channel.
Tony Baran
Tony Baran, illustrator of Francisco the Bunny, earned his BA in Pictorial Arts from San Jose State University. Born in Santa Barbara, California, Tony recently retired from a 14 year long career as a Sign Artist for Trader Joe’s to meet demand for his pet portraits, landscape paintings and chalk signs through Tony Baran Art. His paintings have been exhibited at the Sanchez Art Center 50/50 Show, Silicon Valley Open Studios, The Art Box Project and the South San Francisco Cultural Art Commission’s General Art Show, where he was awarded 1st Place for his landscape painting titled “Hiking the PG&E Trail”. Recently, Tony received the “Talent Prize Award” for his pet portrait of the real Francisco the Bunny in the Art Show International Gallery - 2022 International Juried Art Competition. See more of Tony's art work at www.tonybaranart.com