Meet Santa Barbara County’s Lavender Lady

By day, Melissa Broughton works for the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, managing two dozen school-based therapists. By night and weekends, she’s the Lavender Lady, or the Bunny Lady, depending on who you talk to.

Broughton recently published her second children’s book illustrated by Santa Barbara artist Mary Harrison. The first, Sleepy Bunny, is the true story about her pet Amos, who liked to eat lavender and take extremely long naps. (Parents appreciated the subtle messaging to enjoy naptime.) Bunny Colors, now available at Chaucer’s Bookstore along with lavender-filled sachets, is a fun lesson in vocabulary and, of course, colors that was inspired in part by Broughton’s new big-eared pal, Leo.