Inspired by a special nine-year bond, the children’s book encourages young readers to embrace curiosity, explore the outdoors, and discover the possibilities of imagination.
For educator and children’s author Sharon Baugh, The Adventures of Amber and Emory began with a meaningful personal connection. During the nine years Lucas was part of her life, his love of hearing stories inspired her to explore the creative and intellectual possibilities of storytelling. Their special bond became the foundation for a book that celebrates imagination, curiosity, friendship, family, and adventure.
Baugh’s appreciation for storytelling began at home. Her father worked as a chef but spent his free time fishing and telling stories, demonstrating how stories could capture attention and bring people together. Her mother encouraged her curiosity and love of learning, while both parents instilled values of honesty, responsibility, kindness, and truthfulness.
Education became another lifelong passion. Baugh knew she wanted to teach at six years old and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in physical education from Western Oregon University, followed by a master’s degree in counseling.
Her career included six years teaching physical education to students from elementary through high school, school counseling across those educational levels, and eventually serving as a middle school principal. She also coached volleyball, basketball, and softball. In 1979, she was named Coach of the Year after leading both her basketball and softball teams to state championships. Her softball achievements later earned her a place in Western Oregon University’s Softball Hall of Fame.
These experiences strengthened Baugh’s belief that learning continues throughout life. Whether in classrooms, on athletic fields, or through personal relationships, she saw how curiosity, encouragement, and new experiences help people grow.
Those lessons carry into The Adventures of Amber and Emory. Baugh hopes the book will encourage children to ask questions, explore the outdoors, approach the world with open minds, and appreciate the importance of kindness, friendship, and family. She also hopes its stories will inspire conversations, family reading time, and adventures that create lasting memories.
Following her retirement from public education, Baugh continued counseling and mentoring students and became a certified golf instructor. Her ongoing work reflects the same belief that people can keep learning and discovering new interests throughout their lives.
For Baugh, children’s literature offers a meaningful way to bring families together while nurturing creativity and curiosity. She hopes young readers will see imagination as more than make-believe, recognizing how it can inspire discovery and turn possibilities into reality.
Baugh plans to publish five books, and the second Amber and Emory adventure is already in progress, with completion anticipated soon. Through the growing series, she aims to encourage children to remain curious, value lifelong learning, and find joy in exploring the world around them.
About Sharon Baugh
Sharon Baugh is an educator, mentor, storyteller, and children’s author with a lifelong commitment to learning and helping young people grow. Her experience includes physical education, school counseling, school administration, coaching, student mentorship, and golf instruction. Recognized for leading two teams to state championships in 1979, she is also a member of Western Oregon University’s Softball Hall of Fame. Inspired by her bond with Lucas, Baugh wrote The Adventures of Amber and Emory to celebrate imagination, outdoor exploration, kindness, friendship, family, and lifelong learning.
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