Taylor McGrath is a local mother and author of two books “Olivia’s Red Hair” and “Always By Your Side.”
How long have you lived in the Capital District?
Born and raised in the capital district! I went to St. Pius X and Academy of the Holy Names before heading to Connecticut for college at Sacred Heart University. I came back to the capital region after graduation and went to PA school at Albany Medical Center. I am currently a practicing Physician Assistant.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My husband Dave and I have two beautiful kiddos, Olivia (3) and Parker (2). I work full time as a Physician Assistant and spend my free time running around after my two kids!
The above picture was taken by Allie T. Photography.
What is your favorite place to take your kids in the Capital District?
That’s a tough question! We have so many favorite spots! We love the splash pad at Halfmoon Town Park and going to the Crossings during the farmers market! Can’t forget our favorite ice cream stops, Guptill’s Ice Cream and Kurver Kreme! Winter around here can be tough with little ones. We went to the trampoline park for the first time this year and my kids loved it!
What made you decide to write a book?
I was a few months postpartum and on maternity leave with my son when I decided to write a children’s book! I wanted to write something that would be special for my kids. My daughter’s hair is usually the first thing anyone mentions to her when they meet her, including the doctor during her delivery! Olivia was born with the most beautiful red hair! Her hair is one of the many things that make her special and I LOVE it so much! So I decided my book would be about her red hair. My hope is that she loves her red hair as much as do. I want her to feel strong and confident. When I started writing her book, I decided I wanted to write one for my son as well. My son was born premature and needed to spend time in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Some days we weren’t able to hold him and the nurses encouraged us to read to him. Project: Cameron’s Story had delivered books to the NICU for parents to read to their babies and “Chicken Little” was the book we were given! That was the inspiration for my son’s book! How amazing to be able to leave each of my kids something special for them, made by me, that they can have forever!
What are your two books about?
“Olivia’s Red Hair” is about a little girl with beautiful red hair. Her parents take her on a scavenger hunt to find everything red like her hair. She grows to love her hair and that her hair is different from everyone else.
“Always By Your Side” was written for parents to read to their babies in the NICU. On days we couldn’t hold our son, I felt helpless and useless just sitting there. Reading to him made me feel closer to him and like I was contributing. I wanted to remind him I was always there! The book has a milestone tracker, a birth statics section and a section for taking notes. It’s a great book to gift to parents with a child in the NICU! My goal is to have hospitals carry this book and supply it to the parents.
Do you have any advice to someone who’s interested in writing a book for the first time?
It’s a great feeling to have published my books and I recommend it to anyone who has a dream to be an author. I did a lot of research and took a class on how to do it. I wrote the books, hired illustrators, hired an editor and formatted everything all when my kids were sleeping. You can do it!
Where can someone buy your book?
My books are currently available to purchase online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can also buy them at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza and Market Block Books in Troy!
Questions for Taylor? Contact her directly at [email protected]
Follow Taylor on Instagram @taylormcgrathauthor
