World traveler and children’s book author is a Utah ‘Best of State’ award winner
Oct 08, 2024 10:30AM ● By Carl Fauver
Taylorsville author Laurie Tye has earned two consecutive prestigious Utah “Best of State” awards for her children’s books. (Photo courtesy Laurie Tye)
Forty years ago, Laurie Tye was a newlywed. Twenty years ago, she was putting the finishing touches on her first children’s book. Now, she’s celebrating back-to-back wins in the Utah “Best of State” competition.
In between those benchmarks, Laurie and husband Brad have had five children and took a sixth one in as well. The grandkid count is up to 18.
Oh, and then there’s the travel.
“Last May we visited Egypt and in November we’re going to Spain,” Tye said. “We’ve also visited China, Russia, Guatemala, Colombia; I can’t remember them all. I know the only continent we’ve not yet visited is Antarctica.”
However, Tye is not a member of the “touched all 50” club. She’s not yet stepped foot in Alabama, Louisiana, North Dakota or South Carolina.
But despite all those stamps in her passport, Laurie has also found time to author several award-winning children’s books, starting with the 2005 publication of “The Animal in Me.”
“When I was in first grade at John C. Fremont Elementary School, I said to myself ‘When I grow up, I want to be a first-grade teacher and a writer,’” Tye explained. “I never wavered from that dream. I graduated from Brigham Young University in Education and Creative Writing.”
For about 10 years, Tye owned and operated Kids Today Preschool in Taylorsville. Then it was on to studying American Sign Language at Salt Lake Community College, followed by four years teaching at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. It was during her time in that position when her first book came out.
However, not before an interesting drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport up to Park City. That’s where she met world renowned wildlife photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen.
“I went into his Park City photo gallery and loved his wildlife pictures – they just spoke to me,” Tye explained. “I had written my first book; but wasn’t yet sure how I wanted to illustrate it. When I saw his pictures, I knew I wanted them in my book if there was any way possible.”
Eventually, Mangelsen agreed to give Tye 45 minutes of his undivided attention to explain her ideas – if she could do it at 70 miles per hour.
“He was flying in for an event at his Park City gallery but didn’t think he’d have much time to speak with me when he got there,” Tye explained. “But he offered to let me drive him up there to tell him all about my plans. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. We got into the car complete strangers and got out the best
of friends.”
Mangelsen’s photos have now been included in nearly all of Tye’s books. And her children’s books are the top selling books in the photographer’s many galleries.
In both 2023 and 2024, Tye earned her Utah “Best of State” awards in the competition’s “Arts & Entertainment” division, in the “Children’s Books” category.
“That win the first year came as a complete shock,” she explained. “I was traveling out of state when I received an email listing all the winners. I had to ask my husband ‘Does that say what I think it says?’ I couldn’t believe it. So, after the shock of winning in 2023, this year’s win was really more of a relief. Both of them are a
great honor.”
Tye’s books have also received Mom’s Choice and Goodreads Choice awards.
Laurie and Brad Tye were “high school sweethearts,” both graduating from Cottonwood High School in 1981. Later that fall, Taylorsville High opened its doors for the first time. The couple just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Sept. 27.
“Right now I’m book touring and hosting reader meet-and-greets, while also thinking about what my next book will be about,” Tye concluded. “I’d like to one day get a book on the New York Times Bestsellers list. But more than that, I love connecting with kids and their parents and grandparents. My goal is always to write meaningful, purposeful, fun and educational books. I love to create things and make them come to life.”
To see all of Tye’s book titles and her upcoming event schedule, visit
laurietye.com. λ