Author Preston Taylor’s New Book Amplifies Connection Between Students and Community

“I did it!” 

These were words from newly published author, Preston Taylor, as he signed a copy of his first book “An Illustrated History of Green Bay.” His exclamation was accompanied by applause, smiles and a few fist pumps from Taylor himself, during The Teaching Press at UW-Green Bay’s book launch event held on campus. The Teaching Press has collaborated with the community and published numerous books since its inception in 2017, but none quite like this. 

The “Illustrated History of Green Bay” is a collection of illustrations of 14 landmarks from around the community. 

Taylor, who lives with Down syndrome, approached the Press with a goal in mind – to publish his illustrations of well-known Green Bay landmarks that he had drawn, based on photos he and his sister, Julianne Taylor, ’23 (Design Arts) had taken on their phones. “I do a lot of research,” said Taylor. “History is my favorite.” Amidst the Covid lockdown, Taylor and Julianne, would drive around the city taking photos. Taylor would then draw the photos, adding his own color and interpretation to the drawing. 

UW-Green Bay Professor Rebecca Meacham, director and publisher of The Teaching Press at UW-Green Bay was thrilled to work with Taylor and his family on the project. With help from The Canary Fund, Meacham was able to bring this hands-on project to the students in her classroom, where they fully embraced the market research, prototype development, promotion and physical printing of the book. 

Integral to the project was aligning with best practices for designing a book that was accessible to a wide variety of readers. For example, students researched ways to design and print the book in a format that was large enough for viewing for all abilities. Teachers from Syble Hopp school offered the Press team ideas for color contrast, fonts, and text. Students worked with Dennis Rockhill, makerspace director for The Einstein Project to engineer a book binding that was able to lay flat. A representative from local business Steen Macek Paper Company, Craig Pamperin met with students to discuss paper types that would allow for easy page turning without assistance. Even a piece of equipment donated by Seaway Printing’s owners, Kevin and Lynn Heslin, came in handy during the folding and binding process.

Taylor works with UW-Green Bay students to cut and bind the 100th copy of his book.

“At every stage of the process,” said Meacham, “our students were supported and guided by community partners, business partners, teachers and Preston and his family, as well as one another.”

Most importantly, students wanted to ensure the book accurately represented the pure joy and happiness that the author himself promotes. During initial meetings with his student-led team, Taylor reiterated his goal of the book bringing “happiness” to all who read it. Taylor jumped for joy after printing the 100th book, sharing his excitement with all present.

Taylor jumps for joy once the 100th book is completed!

He went onto sign copies and share more about his future book promotion stops at Syble Hopp school and The Morning Show on WFRV, Channel 5 news. After the book’s launch at Syble Hopp, The Teaching Press went into a second print run of 100 copies. This was during exam week on campus and because of Taylor’s inspiration, even more students participated in making the book to ensure Taylor would have copies available to share.

Additionally, Syble Hopp teachers were so impressed with the accessibility of the book that The Teaching Press at UW-Green Bay press interns made a video illustrating how to do the lay-flat binding technique they perfected with Taylor’s book. 

“The Teaching Press exemplifies hands-on, community-serving, applied arts and writing in an environment where it’s safe to fail. Which we do! We definitely fail! But we also risk, revise, and succeed,” said Meacham. “Our success is all the more impactful when we can watch an artist like Preston sign copies of his book for readers all over our region.” 

Proceeds from “The Illustrated History of Green Bay” by Preston Taylor will be donated to a number of organizations close to Taylor, including Syble Hopp School and The Down’s Syndrome Association of Wisconsin. To purchase a copy for $15, please contact Taylor’s mom, Julie Taylor at jtaylorgb@yahoo.com. 

“I like happy photos, not sad,” said Taylor, adding, “I feel happy, and I like learning. I like my life.”