By day, Melissa Broughton works for the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, managing two dozen school-based therapists. By night and weekends, she’s the Lavender Lady, or the Bunny Lady, depending on who you talk to.
Broughton recently published her second children’s book illustrated by Santa Barbara artist Mary Harrison. The first, Sleepy Bunny , is the true story about her pet Amos, who liked to eat lavender and take extremely long naps. (Parents appreciated the subtle messaging to enjoy naptime.) Bunny Colors, now available at Chaucer’s Bookstore along with lavender-filled sachets, is a fun lesson in vocabulary and, of course, colors that was inspired in part by Broughton’s new big-eared pal, Leo.
Leo was a rescue from BUNS (Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter) who’d had a rough go of it. He was missing a chunk from one ear and needed surgery to remove all of his overgrown teeth. “And yet, he’s okay,” Broughton said. “I thought he represented kids who may be picked on for various reasons, and that he could be a character to model good behavior in recognizing and appreciating differences.”
