About us
Alison Barone
Author
![Ali and Beau.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3db30e_14af918d86cd4dcfaed2d044f62f1847~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_301,y_1372,w_3590,h_4025/fill/w_434,h_487,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Ali%20and%20Beau%20lighthouse%20online%20posting_JPG.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3db30e_e87df60345564540b690d038609f9193~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_1110,w_3000,h_3389/fill/w_431,h_487,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/3db30e_e87df60345564540b690d038609f9193~mv2.jpg)
"Hi! I’m Alison, author of Nantucket Nelly! Thank you so much for visiting my site. Nantucket Nelly was inspired by my love for Nantucket Island and my beloved Cavalier King Charles, Beau. As a child, my favorite book was Eloise at The Plaza. Nelly embodies the same bold, curious, and adventurous spirit as Eloise. Luckily, her furry best friend Beau is the voice of reason who never leaves her side. My only hope is that these books make you smile, laugh, and remind you of the carefree wonders of childhood..."
Alison Barone was born and raised in Southern California. Growing up she studied and competed in ballet, tap and jazz. She continued her ballet training at many prestigious schools and attended Loyola Marymount University as a Dance Major while receiving her full Pilates certification. She then danced professionally with companies such as The Los Angeles Ballet and Columbia City Ballet. She performed as a guest artist for several years with Pacific Festival Ballet. After teaching Pilates for many years in New York City she moved to Nantucket where she currently teaches Adult Ballet, Barre and Pilates.
She was inspired to write Nantucket Nelly by her love for Nantucket and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Beau. She lives on Nantucket with her husband Jon, and precious baby Chase.
Photos by Emily Elisabeth Photography
![beau.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3db30e_47a03a3b4e004250a33165f1317f1e47~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_402,h_206,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/beau.png)
Annabelle Meszynski
Illustrator
![IMG_5704[77].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3db30e_577717bc07924be7a2ae2c527e15b210~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_415,h_553,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/IMG_5704%5B77%5D.jpg)
Annabelle is an illustrator, designer and storyteller that dabbles in yarn spinning, mountain climbing and imperfect plant parenting. Her work is inspired by her beloved New England habitat and themes of whimsy, adventure, folklore and the feeling of home.
Annabelle credits her unschooled childhood for her love of creating and tries to construct work that resonates with people the same way as waking up to a sunray softly shining through your window.
You can find more of Annabelle's work on her website
![nelly painting.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3db30e_3c1a7a69c53643819bb15f0ca53b40ae~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_600,h_341,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/nelly%20painting.png)