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Joyce Y. Taylor is a multifaceted person. She is an author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. Joyce is committed to changing lives one day at a time. Joyce’s writing style is robust and heartfelt. Her stories are designed to encourage kids to understand that each one of us has a special purpose unique to us.
Joyce’s reading and writing passion started with an inspiring father who displayed and shared his love for books at a young age. Joyce has spent copious amount of time reading books to her three wonderful children and her lovely Sunday school students. Her passion for teaching escalated her pursuit to one day write and publish her own children’s books.
Joyce is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Finance and International Business. Joyce also holds a master’s degree in Organizational Management and Leadership from Springfield College.
Joyce has over ten years of experience working as a Program Director at a medically intense facility where she manages a diverse group of employees and cases of medically intense adults and children with severely intellectual challenges.
Joyce enjoys reading, writing, exercising, traveling, going to church, spending time with nature, and discovering insects. Lastly, Joyce is originally from South Africa; she currently resides in the United States with her family. Her mission is to encourage others to always do their best.
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Zulu The Pupa: A Tale of Dung Beetle Series, Book #1 is a children’s social issues picture book written by Joyce Y. Taylor and illustrated by Kavion Robinson. Everything seemed simple when Zulu’s parents were with him. They had always assured him that he would be “the greatest of them all.” They left, however, when he changed from the larval to the pupal stage and Zulu began to feel useless and alone -- and he hated the smell where he rested. Everyone he saw in the South African countryside seemed better than him. There were beautiful butterflies, efficient ants, crickets, and all manner of creatures with skills or beauty. Zulu tried to do the things they could do and was always met with failure. He wanted so much to have a purpose just like those other insects. The firefly he met imparted words of wisdom and promised he too would have his own purpose -- he just had to be patient. But patience was hard for a young, lonely pupa. Would it ever happen? Would he ever be special?
Joyce Y. Taylor’s Zulu The Pupa addresses the need children often feel to be like or as good as their peers in school and social settings. Zulu’s case is remarkable as his parents are no longer around to provide love, support, and reassurance. I loved following as he interacts with the other insects and seeing how they each in turn comfort him and promise he will come into his own glory once he grows up. Kavion Robinson’s artwork brings the African savanna to life brilliantly. Each panel showcases the insects, their environment, and their activities. Zulu The Pupa transports kids to the natural world while giving them a character they can identify with. The blend of social and environmental issues is an ideal method for getting kids involved and motivated while helping them learn to value their own talents and skills. Zulu The Pupa: A Tale of Dung Beetle Series, Book #1 is highly recommended.
