32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com LIT A 2024 high school graduate from Monterey, Elowyn Ingler is not set on becoming a writer. Yet this dancer and now college political science and peace student already published a book. She had an idea and she just went for it. The result is The Boy Who Loved Ballet, written by Ingler and illustrated by her peer and good friend, Bean Dreier, a short and sweet tale of Henri who encounters the dance form. As a junior in high school, Ingler had an inspiring discussion with her aunt on how culture presses gender-specific roles on young children. “Growing up dancing, I knew a few boys who did dance, and I’ve definitely had the conversation where someone’s like, ‘Well, I assumed all male dancers are gay,’” she says. “And this assumption always blew my mind.” She decided to write a children’s book about boys who danced ballet simply because that was what they loved to do. “I thought that maybe if there was a young boy who wanted to do it, it might be beneficial for him to see a story like that,” Ingler explains. Writing wasn’t the hardest part. Ingler knew what she wanted to say. But how to bring in some color? Then she noticed Dreier doing sketches in class and asked him to collaborate. The book was put together during their senior year. Ingler decided to self-publish; her parents helped with purchasing the ISBN for the book. “It was mostly just a lot of hours late into the night after I got home from school or dance,” she says. “I sent it to the publishing company and they shipped it to me as a physical object—it was a really cool moment.” Ingler started the distribution effort on foot, visiting bookstores. She says more work needs to be done, but college took her to Maryland, where she is also trying her luck with the book. In the meantime, her workload grows. Thinking about a future career, Ingler is focusing on learning international relations. She would love to work or volunteer with different organizations around the world, and potentially go into law. Ingler still dances, although not as much as in high school. “Dancing brings community into someone’s life at any age, any gender,” she says about her own experience and the reason behind the book. “Dancing is an outlet that helps process emotions. Moving your body regulates emotions.” The Boy Who Loved Ballet by Elowyn Ingler and illustrated by Bean Dreier can be purchased online. COURTESY ELOWYN INGLER The Girl Who Dared A Monterey teenager danced her way into writing children’s literature. By Agata Popęda Elowyn Ingler is a college sophomore who wrote and self-published a children’s book. In it, she shares her conviction that dance knows no gender, and benefits us all equally. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Saturday & Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’24 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 Best Pizza ’98-’24 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. 763 Wave St., Monterey 831.373.3778 thewhalingstation.com ’24 Best Steak BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, salads, sandWiches and more 11:30am mon-Fri, 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 haPPY hour Food & drinK sPecials Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’24 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari ’24 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $49, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==