Meet Our Team
At the heart of every delightful story lies a committed Children Book Team. This group of talented individuals is passionate about bringing imaginative tales to life for young readers. Each member plays a vital role, from the imaginative writers spinning stories that ignite creativity, to skilled illustrators who bring characters to vibrant life on the page. Our editors ensure that each word is carefully chosen and polished to perfection, while our marketing experts work hard to connect these wonderful stories with the families who will cherish them.
K. E. Garrison
Creator
Hey there! I’m K.E. Garrison, but you can just call me Kelly. I’m super excited to share that I created The Adventures of Calvin and Calley. What started out as a fun college project has turned into a series of books you can actually buy now! There are three books out already, and I’m working on a fourth one. Pretty cool, right?
I grew up in Memphis, TN, but I made my way to Whiteville when I was 10. Graduated from Bolivar in ’98, and now I’m living the good life in Rossville, GA with my awesome husband and our two lovely daughters.
When I'm not busy writing, I’m all about spreading the love for reading and storytelling. I think every kid should dive into exciting stories that spark their imagination. That’s why I get involved with local schools and community programs, doing readings and workshops to boost literacy. It seriously makes my day to see kids' faces light up as they jump into the adventures of Calvin and Calley. I hope to inspire them to fall in love with stories just like I did on my own writing journey.
Rachel Ottoway
Book Manager
I grew up in the beautiful and wild state of Alaska, where the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant wildlife shaped my early years, and I recently made the significant move to the charming and inviting landscapes of Tennessee. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Teaching/ABT, which has become a true passion of mine, inspired and motivated by Kelly's innovative and forward-thinking ideas that challenge the status quo. As both a dedicated teacher and a committed book manager, I actively channel my deep passion for learning and storytelling into everything I do each day. My ultimate goal is to inspire a profound sense of curiosity, foster meaningful growth, and build genuine connections with students that will last a lifetime. In my important book manager role, I dedicate myself wholeheartedly to meticulously organizing a wide variety of resources, ensuring that everyone has fair and equitable access to valuable knowledge and engaging stories that can transport them to different worlds. These rich and diverse experiences reflect my unwavering commitment to education and the transformative power of books to ignite imagination and creativity, as poignantly illustrated through the wonderfully crafted stories of Calvin and Calley.
Courtney Hayes
Book Manager
As a dedicated wife and a loving mother of two energetic boys, I often find myself balancing a remarkably busy lifestyle filled with a wide variety of responsibilities and tasks, which can sometimes be quite overwhelming yet fulfilling. Each day presents new challenges and exciting adventures that keep me engaged and constantly on my toes, ensuring that no two days are ever the same. I actively support Kelly and our incredible team by sharing valuable insights, constructive feedback, and rich personal experiences from our enjoyable and educational field trips together, which often serve as wonderful inspiration. My thoughtful contributions not only ignite her creativity, inspiring fresh ideas and innovative concepts, but they also play a crucial role in helping her craft beautiful and imaginative pieces that truly resonate with our diverse and dynamic audience, ensuring that we connect deeply with those we aim to reach.
Rick Foster
Marketing Manager
I have an extensive background, with 35 years of dedicated service in Law Enforcement and Security Consulting, and I am currently proud to serve as a School Resource Officer at the vibrant Malesus STEM Center located in Jackson, TN. I hold an Associates degree in Criminal Justice from Axia College, which provided a solid foundation for my career, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the esteemed University of Phoenix. Furthermore, I have advanced my expertise by earning a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Forensic Science Graduate Certificate from National University situated in San Diego. In my career journey, I previously worked with the Madison County Sheriff Department in Jackson, TN for nearly 7 years, which gave me invaluable experience, and I also spent about 14 years with Tennessee’s elite Sex Offender Unit, where I was primarily focused on the critical areas of monitoring and supervision of offenders. I ultimately retired with over 21 years of experience in law enforcement in the beautiful State of Tennessee. I currently reside in Bolivar, TN with my wonderful wife, Brenda, who has been my partner for an incredible 23 years, and our six children who bring joy to our lives. Together, we own a comic book store and a legal processing business, which keeps us exceptionally busy and engaged in our community! Additionally, I play an important role as a marketing manager for Calvin and Calley, where I utilize my extensive connections to effectively promote their outstanding educational programs specifically designed for kids!
Samantha Barry-Liby
Marketing Manager
I'm just your average proud mom of two fantastic boys, trying to juggle everything life throws my way. You’ll typically find me racing around for school runs, shuttling them to after-school activities, staying up late to catch up on everything, and trying to keep the balance between nurturing my kiddos and growing my career and online schooling. When I stumbled upon the chance to be the Marketing Manager for "The Adventures of Calvin and Calley," I jumped at it! I'm all about mixing organization with creativity and a whole lot of heart in what I do. In this gig, I get to handle everything from book launches and signings to school visits and fun community events, all to share our stories with classrooms and libraries where families can dive into them together. I really believe that great books need to connect with their readers, and it's such a thrill to be part of those moments when stories come to life. My goal? To inspire, educate, and make a lasting impact on kids and families long after the events end.
Tabatha Eades
Field Experience
Hi there! I’m Tabatha Eades, and I’m a very proud and enthusiastic member of the dedicated field experience crew for Kelly. My job is all about hitting the open road and embarking on exciting and fun-filled trips to scoop up fascinating insights for her amazing books, which is something I truly cherish. Plus, I’m a super proud mom to my wonderful, vibrant 14-year-old daughter who truly means everything to me and brings so much joy and love into my life every single day. I really dig my work because it’s filled with incredible and thrilling adventures that I get the unique opportunity to share with my daughter, which makes our experiences together even more special and unforgettable. After each enjoyable outing filled with laughter and discovery, we always take the time to sit down and chat about the cool stuff we encountered as well as the tricky parts of our day. This not only spices up our various conversations, making them more engaging, but also gives Kelly the juicy and invaluable information she needs to effectively write her captivating stories that truly engage readers and resonate with them on many levels.
Summer Whitlow
Field Experience
I am a proud wife and a loving mother of four awesome kids, so when my wonderful friend Kelly asked me to join the amazing team, how could I even think of passing up such a fantastic opportunity? Through being an integral part of the field experience, I get to help pick trips and special places that we all get to visit, which will help Kelly with all the creative ideas she generates for her captivating writing. I even get the added joy of including my family in these exciting endeavors, which makes being a part of the Calvin and Calley team even more fun and rewarding for all of us. I believe wholeheartedly in what Calvin and Calley teach our children, and I cannot wait to see what crazy adventure these two adorable kittens will take us on next.