Donna was born and raised in southern California. She has always had a passion for teaching and learning, which prompted her to earn a degree in early childhood education. Donna owned and directed a successful preschool for many years where she was able to share her love of books with children. She now gathers inspiration for her stories from her two grandchildren, Sadie and Carter.
Kodey Bogart is a former United States Army warrant officer and aviator who flew the Blackhawk during medical evacuation missions. She is a decorated combat veteran who has received two Air Medals and a Sikorsky Rescue Award. Kodey has extensive experience across aviation operations, including aviation safety, flight training, maintenance test flights, helicopter air ambulance, and aviation law enforcement.
Kodey lives with her husband and children in Merritt Island, Florida. She loves to share her passion for aviation, especially with her daughter and sons, by showing the diversity in the mission. The sky is not the limit!
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Innovator, motivator, and philanthropist Darryl "DMC" McDaniels changed music and made history when he broke down cultural barriers with his legendary band Run-DMC. Forty million record sales later, he continues to inspire and impact the world.
Darryl regularly talks with kids across the country about respect, responsibility, and self-awareness. He has appeared before Congress and various state legislatures in support of adoptees and foster children. In 2006, he co-founded the Felix Organization with Sheila Jaffe, a nonprofit that works to provide inspiring opportunities and new experiences for children in the foster care system.
Sidney Upcavage is an oncology nurse and a proud mother of eight-year-old twins and a two-year-old. When she was a child, Sidney’s father told her to always keep an eye out for bunnyflies. The painting of a bunnyfly her dad had commissioned for her high school graduation now hangs in her children’s room. Inspired by that memory and her children’s backyard explorations, Sidney wrote this book in hopes of spreading the joy of fluffy, flying companions to kids everywhere.
In her free time, Sidney loves being outdoors, walking her dogs, cooking, watching football (go Noles and Bucs!), and spending precious time with family and friends. Sidney lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and their three kids.
Kathy Akopov Guillory grew up in the USSR and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was nine years old. She struggled to make friends at a new school in an entirely new country and leaned on her grandma, Baba Emma, for support, which inspired this book. By day, she is a marketing consultant who lives in Maine with her husband, Chris; daughters, Emma and Eleanor; and their two dogs, Half Pint and Dr. Watson.
Nicholas Manning is an educator and writer passionate about nurturing emotional growth through literature. Drawing on twelve years of teaching middle school language arts and experience illustrating children's books, he now authors Angel Among Us. Inspired by his mother's passing and written for his twin sons, this book serves as a gentle, visually engaging resource to help children process loss and grief. Nicholas lives in Pittsburgh with his husband, James Allen, their twin boys, and their French bulldog, Cooper.
As far back as he could remember, Lawrence always wanted to be the best father on the planet. He dedicated as much time as he could to the wonderful creations that were his three sons and one daughter.
When his four children were much younger, their bedtime ritual was more like a marathon, as most parents can relate to. He needed a way to get his children to bed more efficiently and with as little crying as possible. As the old saying goes— “necessity is the mother of invention.” And so, the bedtime story about a little boy named Jebediah T. Hornswaggle was born. Lawrence’s four children sat and listened in wonder, with great big smiles and laughter as Dad told story after story of the boy they now call Jeb.
As each year passed Lawrence continued to work in his chosen field of commercial printing as his children would say, “Dad, you have to make Jeb into a book!” Finally retired, with time on his hands and a partnership with Blue Balloon Books Jeb on the Farm was brought to life.
Shannon Krohmer is a former preschool teacher and proud mother of three grown daughters. Married to her high school sweetheart for over thirty years, she spent twenty-one years as a military wife, including seven unforgettable years in Okinawa, Japan—her favorite stop along the way. Now a grandmother, Shannon draws inspiration for writing from the playful moments of her daughters’ childhoods. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, gardening, hiking, and fishing.
Kya Raine holds a bachelor of science degree in neuroscience from Georgia Institute of Technology and works as a private English and math tutor. Passionate about teaching and STEM, she is excited to share her debut book, Brain Basics: Neuroscience for Kids, which introduces children to the brain in a fun and approachable way. Through her work, Kya hopes to spark curiosity, promote diversity in science, and show kids that they can achieve their goals.
Beth Powers is a nurse practitioner with a deep love for children and Beaver Island, where she finds inspiration in its natural beauty and close-knit community. Her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Powers, is the island’s veterinarian and the owner of Powers Hardware and the Beaver Island Gift Shop. Together, they created this book to share the magic of Beaver Island through the eyes of a first-time visitor. They hope readers, whether young or young at heart, will feel the wonder, peace, and joy that the island brings to all who step onto its shores.
Trish Stewart is a proud Michigan native, devoted Detroit Lions superfan, and loving mother of two boys. When she isn't cheering on her team, she enjoys embroidery, getting lost in a good book, and spending time off-roading and golfing with her family. Trish drew inspiration for Tailgate Times from her best friend and husband, Jerry, whose fun-loving spirit and unwavering encouragement as a father continue to inspire her every day. She believes there's nothing he can't accomplish-and watching him with their boys is her greatest joy.
Growing up on his family farm in rural Ohio, Matthew Swinehart was always surrounded by animals, from pigs to cows to barn cats. After moving around the country as a young adult, he and his wife, Kristen, settled down in northeast Ohio. They rounded out their family with two adorable corgis, Nola and Hashbrown. Matthew realized that Nola had the perfect temperament to serve as a therapy dog, so after going through all the training, he and Nola joined the Doggie Brigade at Akron Children’s Hospital. Inspired by the joy Nola brings patients facing difficult times, Matthew wrote this book in her honor and hopes it will continue to spread happiness to children everywhere. In his spare time, Matthew loves hiking and creating content for Nola’s Instagram (@nolathenoblecorgi). Follow his adventures there!
Tracy Mitchell Austin, MEd, has been teaching for thirty-four years and currently teaches at a private church. She has dedicated herself to teaching children to read the Bible and to use sign language, which she considers some of her most enjoyable experiences.
She spends her free time quilting for her grandkids, crocheting baby blankets for new family and community members, and tending to her flowers. Tracy has always been a friend to God’s four-legged creatures and still enjoys riding her horse, Rowdy. She was blessed with four children of her own and four extended children. Denham Days was written for her children’s father, who passed away, as a tribute to their love for him.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 KJ21)
Brittney Orton finds joy in helping kids with disabilities in her community and advocating for them. This passion led her to a new love—writing—and the creation of Through My Eyes, her first children’s book. Brittney grew up in the beautiful town of Moab, Utah, surrounded by family and later moved to southern Utah at eighteen. She has lived there ever since with her husband, Kody, and their four kids. She runs an excavation company with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading with her book clubs, camping, and making quality connections with everyone around her.
Tanya Louthan, EdM, was born and raised in Southern California and recently relocated to the sunny state of Florida. As a college administrator, Tanya loves connecting everyone to education. She is an animal lover, a storyteller by nature, and a reader who can lose track of time in a good book. When she's not writing her next big idea or learning something new just for fun, she's off traveling or exploring the deep blue with her husband as scuba diver adventurers.
Tanya has teamed up with her cousin, Frankie Hamersma, on Tails of Moo Cat. Frankie is an animal lover and a Grammy award-winning graphic designer. She serves as a senior lecturer at Otis College of Art and Design in Southern California and assisted in telling the real-life story of Moo.
The Davises live in Leesburg, Virginia, with their dog, Marley. They enjoy cooking together, a shared passion that inspired them to co-own three bkd. Bagels shops in Northern Virginia—home of the original sprinkle bagel balls, created by their two-year-old daughter, Ellie Reese.
Shantel Woodland lives in Spokane, Washington, with her husband and three children. With degrees in anthropology, teaching, and curriculum and instruction, she spends her days teaching kindergarten and mentoring future educators. Inspired by conversations with her students about her daughter’s special needs, Shantel writes stories that encourage empathy, inclusion, and hope for families navigating autism. In her free time, she enjoys live music, painting, reading, and watching cooking shows with her family.
Tracie Richardson is a Christian, a wife, a mom of three, a registered nurse, the owner of Richly Made Fairhope cookie company, and the caregiver to her youngest child, who is on the spectrum. She has been blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who also feel a great love for creating a world where diversity and inclusion are vastly available to all children. Becoming a special needs parent opened her eyes to doors that she was unaware were closed. It is her greatest honor to be able to use her voice for children who may not have a voice themselves.
Tara Atkins, after writing many poems and short stories over the years, started Found as a thank you to the sparkly lady, who adopted Nevis. It has become Tara’s first published children’s book, which was truly a creation of love! Tara enjoys her time with her husband, three dogs and kitty, grown children, and family and friends.
Alex Dunavant, a first-time children’s book author from Charlotte, North Carolina, is a dog mom to Bilbo and Obi. She was inspired to write this book after taking the boys to a baseball game and seeing how much joy they brought to everyone. She and her husband, Nick, have seven nieces and nephews whom they know will love reading this book about their precious pups. She hopes this will be the start of an adventure series for Bilbo and Obi.
Lori Kaluza lives in Louisville, Colorado, a short walk from her two granddaughters. She spent sixteen years as a first-grade teacher in the Denver Public School system before transitioning into a teacher coach. After retiring from public education, she served as an adjunct professor in the education program at the University of Northern Colorado for eight years.
Frecko the Gecko was inspired by a true story. After a trip to Mexico, Lori noticed the silhouette of a gecko on her window one night. Though her family was skeptical, she maintained that the house was unusually bug-free. Over a year after the trip, she discovered the gecko again while spring cleaning. A gecko had, in fact, stowed away in her luggage. At that moment, she just knew his story needed to be told.
Zehra Dhanani believes in raising children who understand both love and purpose. She doesn’t strive to do it all—she strives to do what matters, knowing that fulfillment beyond the home can make her a more present and grounded parent.
Written as a reflection of her own experience, Mommy Loves Work & Me! was inspired by the question so many children quietly hold for their mothers: Where do you go when you leave, and do you still love me when you’re not here? Through this story, Zehra hopes to offer reassurance, warmth, and a modern perspective on motherhood, one rooted in honesty, balance, and deep love.
Olivia Johann blends her passion for artificial intelligence with a heartfelt mission to guide families through our tech-driven world. Inspired by the rapid evolution of AI and its profound impact on children and families, she wrote Pixel and Chip: The Family Circuit to spark meaningful conversations about new technologies. Her goal is to help kids learn to trust their instincts, understand AI’s limits, and harness AI’s power to strengthen human connections rather than overshadow them.
Olivia lives in Texas with her husband and their beloved dog, Halle, who inspired the furry sidekick in this story. Olivia’s background includes a degree in computer information systems and over ten years in risk management. This is her debut children’s book. For other family resources, including learning activities and articles, check out her website, www.genhicollective.com
As an educator, Amanda Greenfield prides herself on the importance of early exposure to language in young children. She has taken her knowledge of language and literacy and created Bilingual Beginnings to help families feel more confident to build bilingualism in their homes.
Her first book, Bilingual Beginnings: Pícnic Adventure, has engaging characters and creative illustrations to allow the comprehension of new language to be accessible for both parents and their kiddos!
Victoria Hudson is an award-winning television producer who grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Now, she lives in Olney, Maryland, with her husband and two boys and their Jack Russell terrier, Tucker.
The "Y" family lives on a magical country piece of property in Ashford, Connecticut. They enjoy outdoor adventures with their two Bernedoodle pups, Finn and Kota, and are a puzzle and board game enthusiast group of people. They are real-life "Y" characters, constantly asking why and always teaching one another something new. They face each day by focusing on the positives and surrounding themselves with the people whom they love. They have many Y series stories to tell and cannot wait to share them with the world!
Meredith Murray awoke one morning from a dream, grabbed a pen, and wrote The Question; most of the words simply fell out of her head and onto a page. However, the idea encompassed within The Question had been percolating in her brain—and heart—for many years. Alongside her husband, Meredith is parenting two children and thinks deeply, and often, about what it means to raise human beings. She has spent much of her life pursuing traditional and linear success; Meredith forged a path from academic superstardom to a career in the fast-paced world of technology. It took her many years, and well into adulthood, to understand what’s actually important in our time on Earth—gratitude for our everyday blessings, cultivation of community, and, ultimately, love. May we all remember to look up to find magic all around.
Taylor Lahey grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. His childhood passion for drawing led him to a career in graphic design, animation, and art direction. Câmbio is his first children’s book and is a reflection of why he writes: to share his vision for a more beautiful world. Today, Taylor resides in Santa Cruz, California, where he works to impact his community.
Dr. Himali K. Patel-Bhatt is a clinical faculty member at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine. She initiated her career practicing as a general dentist after graduating from Creighton University School of Dentistry. When she started out, she especially enjoyed working with kids, and a lot of her conversations with children in her practice got her thinking about how to best educate them on dental hygiene.
The idea for this book came to Himali around 2018 when she and her husband went to Portland and visited Powell’s City of Books. While there, she came across a book that was based around the fear and anticipation of a bad dental visit. It made an impression on her, and Himali found herself wanting to offer a different narrative. So, she put pen to paper on her flight back from Portland and began writing the blueprint for her story. The underlying theme tied into her many conversations with her pediatric patients and her drive to empower young readers to take charge of their oral hygiene without being scared. Although Himali continued to work on the story here and there for the next several years, it wasn’t until she had her own children that the desire to teach this message to her sons as well as other children was amplified. When Himali began to use this core messaging in conversations with her sons and other children at their school, the idea fared so well that she was greatly encouraged to turn her long-standing book idea into reality.
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Nina is a real-life hiking dog who lives in New Hampshire with her “squirrel” friend Beth! Nina was a homeless puppy who survived when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017. She was rescued, and Beth adopted her in 2018. The adoption agency said that Nina would never be a good hiking dog because of her size and history of living at the beach. But in the last seven years, Nina and Beth have hiked all forty-eight of the highest mountains in New Hampshire together. When she is not climbing mountains with Nina, Beth is an artist, a wife, and a mother to three young children.
Chad and Sarah Zueck are a husband-and-wife team who share a love of adventure, storytelling, and family life. Originally from Rock Springs, Wyoming, they now live in Missoula, Montana, with their daughter, Maddie. They enjoy golfing, mountain biking, running, hiking, and reading together. Their debut children’s book, I Camped with Bigfoot, was inspired by the joy of reading together as a family—an experience they hope to share with others through their storytelling.
Stephanie Pressler is a Louisiana native with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Southeastern Louisiana University and a master’s in teaching from Armstrong Atlantic University. She taught elementary school for ten years before becoming a stay-at-home mom and founding a DIY crafting business called Stephanie’s Craft Room, LLC.
One day, when Stephanie and her daughter, Nora, went on a walk, Nora pretended that objects in the neighborhood were safari animals. This turned into a tradition on all their walks—except with more appropriate (and magical) safari gear. Nora and Her Magical Binoculars is Stephanie’s debut book, and she hopes to share more of her and Nora’s imaginative adventures in the future.
Isis Mesa-Rubin, CD(DONA),CLC, LCCE, is a doula, childbirth educator, and lactation counselor who supports families from pregnancy to parenthood. She lives in Florida with her husband and two children, who inspired her to write this very book! When her kids began asking questions about her work, she knew it was time to create a book that gently introduces birth and the important role of a doula.
When she’s not attending births or teaching families, Isis loves traveling, being in nature, gathering with her community, and supporting causes that matter to her. She hopes this story brings curiosity, connection, and conversation into your home—and helps children see just how powerful birth can be.
Courtney Johnson is a cardiac surgery physician assistant who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Cory. In her free time, she likes to travel, garden, bake bread, and run her nonprofit foundation, Cooper’s Ice Cream Crew.
The idea for Signs from Super Cooper came to Courtney after her three-month-old rainbow baby, Cooper, passed away on New Year’s Eve 2024. His cousins couldn’t grasp how a perfectly healthy and happy baby boy could die. Courtney wanted to write a book that spoke about baby loss and how those who have passed continue to shine light and live in our hearts in many ways. She hopes Signs from Super Cooper helps other families, and especially small children, who are dealing with this kind of unimaginable loss. Courtney now lives to keep Cooper’s memory alive and share his beautiful short life and legacy with everyone she meets.
Beth Kantrowitz wrote Run, Sparky, Run! in 2008 to encourage her six-year-old nephew to read. The idea of publishing it was "sparked" when her sister rediscovered the story among her kids' childhood papers. Beth decided to bring Sparky's pure and beautiful story to life in 2025 to counter the current dismal state of the world. Beth has an undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell University and two graduate degrees from the University of Maryland: a master of science in sustainable development and conservation biology and a master of public administration in environmental policy. She currently manages grants and contracts for the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, DC. Outside of work, Beth is an avid birder who has served on the board of Prince George's Audubon Society for the past two decades. She is active in the skeptic, secular, and humanist communities and recently published an article about climate change on Humanist.org. Though Beth is a New York native (and a die-hard fan of the New York Mets), she currently lives in Hyattsville, Maryland, with her dog, Darwin.
Chamberlin Newsome is an illustrator, animal lover, artist, entrepreneur, and mother of her son, Tomas Rex. She splits her time between New York City and Oaxaca, Mexcio. You can follow her work and adventures @ChamberlinNewsome.
Matt Page, PhD, is an epidemiologist with interests in history, sociology, and mental health. This book was inspired by his own experience with OCD as a young boy and his long road to finding a therapeutic approach that worked for him. A native of Pennsylvania who has traveled across the US and parts of the globe, Matt now lives with his family in Massachusetts. He is an avid reader who enjoys traveling in New England and attending minor league baseball games. He is a soft pretzel aficionado and welcomes recommendations for future taste tests.
Jaclynn Bosley is an educator and children’s book author who delights in crafting meaningful stories that spark imagination and laughter. Her books celebrate the joy found in everyday adventures. When she’s not teaching or writing, Jaclynn loves cooking and baking with her children—stirring up sweet treats and even sweeter memories. She believes that stories, like recipes, are best when shared with love.
Kolbi Trebbien is a practicing employment law attorney who is licensed in Oregon and Washington. She lives in Sherwood, Oregon, with her husband and two boys, Brady and Harrison. In her free time, she prioritizes spending time with her family, enjoying all Oregon has to offer.
Teachers always told Jamie Scheumann to keep writing because she was good at it, but it was only a hobby for most of her life. However, as the mother of two daughters, she now feels called to pursue her passion for writing in a way that will create a legacy for her girls and empower other young readers as well.
Reflecting on the scars from going through the loss of a parent, she decided that if it was her time to go, she wanted to have something her daughters could look back at. This cultivated in her a goal to craft a message that could resonate with any little girl, but especially with her little girls so that they could have something meaningful to hold onto throughout their lives.
In the words of the author: “It’s tough figuring out who you are and who you want to be. When you grow up with others constantly telling you who you are based on where you’ve been, it’s hard to see the big picture. But if you just calm yourself, you can still feel it. You know what the end result can be if you just keep going. Bad things will happen, and that is okay. Life gets sweet when you just learn to pivot.”
“If you had a cow, would you name him Bruce? Would he be your best friend? Would you set him loose?”
Would you let a cow inside your house? Tales of friendship between humans and animals are a classic favorite for many young readers, but this exciting new children’s book based on a real-life celebrity animal isn’t your traditional story of man’s best friend—Bruce is not a dog, but a cow!
Unlike other farm animals, Bruce is on the loose, free to explore and play to his heart’s content. Follow along as Bruce the cow and Farmer Elias complete their unique daily routine, from brushing their teeth together to munching on popcorn.
Bruce on the Loose is a tender, funny story about the beauty of friendship with animals that will leave anyone laughing and smiling. Join Bruce on his daily adventure with his farm friends and enjoy the fun of freedom right alongside him.
Virginia Tucker is an artist living in Georgia with her husband, baby, and two cats. She has a degree in graphic design, previously specialized in freelance design, and has always had a love for drawing and creating. Virginia has found joy and purpose in illustrating! She loves traveling and spending precious time with her family.
Ali Mejia is the Co-Founder of Eberjey, a brand celebrated for its signature soft pajamas. Born in El Salvador and raised in Miami, Ali always felt a pull toward creativity—but it wasn’t until she stepped away from the corporate world to build Eberjey that she realized how much she had been holding back.
Ali had believed achievement would lead to happiness—until, in her early twenties, she woke up and realized she felt deeply unfulfilled. Her soul was craving authenticity, self-expression, and purpose.
That awakening led her to rediscover her creativity, embrace her intuition, and forge a new path. Now, Ali is on a mission to help others unlock their own creative power—so they can see it, trust it, and make something beautiful with it. She lives in Miami with her husband, Carlos, their t wo daughters, Luna and Amaya, and their dogs, Henr y and Toby. The Butterfly Studio is her first book.
Rose Shanahan is a Philadelphia-based accountant whose love of birdwatching took flight at her vacation home in Grassy Sound, New Jersey. Inspired by the natural world, she channels her appreciation for wildlife into photography and painting. Rose lives in Philadelphia with her husband and actively volunteers with her neighborhood civic association.
Driven by faith, family, and a passion for teaching, debut author Makennah Johnston is proud to introduce The McBrights. Born and raised in the quaint town of Benton, Illinois, Makennah holds true to her values and aims to produce work that is wholesome and family oriented. With several years of teaching experience at the elementary level and a master's degree in elementary literacy, Makennah has transformed her love and knowledge of reading into a story that her two beautiful girls can enjoy on the brink of bedtime. In her spare time, Makennah loves to snuggle her girls, play mini golf with her husband, and enjoy Sunday family pizza nights.
Jennifer Muse lives with her husband, Sam, and their daughter, Ellie, in Hanover County, Virginia. She and Sam grew up in the same neighborhood that they currently live in—conveniently right across the street from Sam’s parents and right down the road from Jennifer’s! A week before Ellie’s due date, Jennifer experienced a hemorrhagic stroke, encouraging her and her husband to move closer to their parents and raise their daughter near a strong support system. Living so close to family and seeing the relationship between Ellie and her grandparents inspired Jennifer to write What the Hey Hey.
Jennifer attended James Madison University and earned her master of arts in teaching in 2018. She is a former fifth grade teacher who has transitioned into the construction industry. When she isn’t working or writing, Jennifer loves weekend coffee shop visits, spending time with family near the water or in her backyard around the firepit, and working on DIY projects.
Sara Deen Kimball grew up in rural Atlanta, Louisiana, where she first learned about animal care in the 4-H livestock program. She earned her bachelor’s in animal science from Louisiana Tech University and started volunteering for the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART). With LSART, she has earned multiple certifications in areas such as technical large animal emergency rescue and slack water rescue, which aid her in helping animals during disasters. In 2016, she started the Ralph’s Responders program in memory of her horse, Ralph, who was part of responder training. Part of the Ralph’s Responders program is children’s early education on how to include the family pets in emergency planning. Sara created and developed the R.A.L.P.H. curriculum, Ready and Living Prepared Heros, which is free to download and share online at www.lsart.org. Sara also volunteers with her adopted border collie, Finn, as a therapy team at schools, camps, nursing homes, and libraries.
Amy Ziegler has been working as a supply chain superhero for over twenty-five years, making everything from airplanes to cereal to medical beds. She lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with her children, Jackson and Claire, her husband, Brant, and their dog, Oliver, all of whom make an appearance in Supply Chain Superhero.
Kylie Ger is a soon-to-be elementary school teacher living in California. She loves the outdoors, especially wakesurfing at the lake and spending time at the beach. A puzzle fanatic, she can finish a five-hundred-piece puzzle in just a few hours! Kylie shares her home with Mortoise, a curious tortoise, and Aspen, a playful husky-shepherd mix. Her inspiration for writing Mortoise the Runaway Tortoise came from Mortoise’s backyard adventures-climbing fences, chasing Aspen, and always trying to escape. His antics have brought her endless laughter and now spark her storytelling.
Tim Ryan is a retired United States Marine Corps veteran. After serving in the military, Tim transitioned to a career in education and now works as a teacher. Outside of his professional life, he is enthusiastic about charity motorcycle riding, often participating in rides with his Masonic Fraternity in support of the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, North Carolina. In his free time, Tim enjoys boating along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway around Swansboro, North Carolina. He currently resides in Hubert, North Carolina, with his wife, Joanie. June Bug’s Outdoor Adventures was inspired by his cat, June Bug.
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Lauren Gilbert currently leads operations at a medical company, but her career began in education, where she spent years teaching children and mentoring fellow educators. Despite her experience, nothing could have fully prepared her for the journey of raising a neurodivergent child. When she saw the social, emotional, and academic challenges her daughter faced, Lauren dedicated herself to supporting her growth and development. Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain became her creative outlet to process the emotions of this journey and find healing. She hopes this story brings comfort and encouragement to children and adults of all abilities, reminding them that they are not alone.
Lauren resides in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Dan; daughter, Ella (five); and son, Austin (three).
Brittany Feria is a senior program manager at Amazon and now a children’s book author! She got her bachelor’s in accounting from Michigan Technological University and her MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, their two small children, and their dog, Loki. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, building sandcastles at the beach, and reading. She was inspired to write Sammy Goes to the Doctor to show her son what to expect at the doctor. Sammy is based on her goldendoodle who was her son’s best friend prior to passing away from cancer.
Theodore A. Adams III is a pilot, engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, award-winning screenwriter, producer, and director. He owns several companies and currently chairs multiple nonprofit charitable organizations. His passions for science, art, music, and history make him a true Renaissance Man.
A rocket scientist, he earned a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Rice University and an MBA from UCLA. He also completed post-graduate studies at the Yale-China Program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and is a graduate of Harvard Business School.
Inspired by her son's love for his car seat, long car rides, and most of all, their morning commute, New Jersey native Ashley L. Matias began to ask him, "What do you see?" That simple question transformed their daily routine into an adventure and created countless opportunities to interact. With a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to support her son's speech development, Ashley turned to her love of poetry and songwriting to help her son find his voice. Drawing from her own memories of sitting in a car seat, she created The Ride Along Series to capture the world through a child's eyes and encourage parents to slow down and narrate the often overlooked, yet meaningful, moments of childhood.
Lee Elias is an award-winning author, professional speaker, entrepreneur, and coach. His love for the game of hockey has taken him on a work-life journey that includes time with the NHL as a collegiate and professional coach, a business owner, and much more. He is the co-owner of Hockey Wraparound, Ultimate Sports Nation, and WeLive.Hockey, as well as the founder of Game Seven Group, an organization that aims to inspire the world to believe in the power of teamwork. Lee is also the director of GRIT, a Pivotal Moments Media Channel, which aims to improve mental fitness by sharing stories from sports and athletics that can serve as a vehicle for growth for human beings.
Dr. Lisa Crim Galioto is a pediatrician who has been taking care of children and adolescents for over thirty-five years. She and her husband of thirty-one years split their time between Potomac, Maryland, and their creek house at Colton’s Point, Maryland (where Stella, Henry, and Owen live). Lisa enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as traveling, cooking, playing piano, and knitting. After publishing Stella the Mama Osprey in 2023, she decided to continue the series based on the animals in her own yard by sharing Owen the groundhog’s story with the world!
Mind Body Align develops science-based mindfulness programs and curriculums tailored for schools. Our social and emotional learning tools, specifically designed for educators and students, enhance focus, self-regulation, and well-being and lead to improved academic performance, lower absenteeism, enhanced job satisfaction, and more effective discipline strategies.
Jackie Winkelmann has privately shared her creativity with family and friends for many years. She loves to transform everyday life events into warm stories, funny rhymes, and heartfelt greeting cards. Jackie is a registered nurse and lives with her husband in Texas. She is the proud mother of two amazing daughters and now has five wonderful grandchildren, who are the inspiration for many of her stories. She is now thrilled to publish her children’s book My Grandson. In addition to writing, Jackie enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and traveling.
Phil Hall is an elementary school principal who realized during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that young people needed more than anything to learn the value of prosocial behavior—acting in ways that benefit others. That is when he wrote the first draft of The Day the Children Saved the World, hoping he could spread his message to kids everywhere. Phil lives in Rutland, Vermont, with his fiancée, Alice. Between the two of them, they have four young boys—Jackson, Lincoln, Harrison, and LJ—and two dogs. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and playing with his kids.
Kristie Arendale makes her home in Maryville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children. After twenty-three wonderful years in elementary education, first as a kindergarten and first grade teacher and then as a school counselor, she retired so that she could pursue passions outside of the classroom. While this is her first official book, Arendale has used and created many stories and plays over the years to instill positive and empowering qualities and characteristics in her students and her own children. She has found a huge connection between her work as an elementary school counselor and as a trainer at The Steel Room. Helping others find the strength and courage to try new things and witnessing the empowerment that results from overcoming obstacles is incredibly rewarding. When kindness, encouragement, confidence, and positivity are evident, great things follow. In her free time, Arendale enjoys hiking and exploring in the mountains and dabbles in trail running and obstacle course racing. Books and nature have always brought a sense of magic to her soul, and she is excited to share that with others.
Kelly McCormack was raised in Connecticut but moved around the country with her husband, Jim, who was in the navy. She has worked in healthcare for forty years and currently serves as a nurse practitioner in palliative medicine as well as the host of Medical Matters Podcast. Kelly enjoys spending time with her daughters, Jen and Corinne, and her five grandchildren.
Allyssa Meyerhofer is a nurse at the Mayo Clinic, and she lives in southeastern Minnesota with her husband, who is a farmer, and her three beautiful girls. Following the diagnosis of her youngest daughter, who has trisomy 9p, she has dedicated herself to becoming an advocate in the caregiving and disability world. An incredibly loyal person who’s never met a stranger, she loves to connect and make friends and can be described as a foodie. One of her passions includes helping parents find the resources she wasn’t originally given as well as the space to validate their feelings. Although Allyssa never planned to write a book or become an advocate, she has since found her calling and discovered what she was meant to do.
Allyssa shares her story on Facebook at Unknown Strength on a Road Less Traveled.
James Reum is a Harvard-educated lawyer who’s enjoyed a distinguished career in senior positions with an international law firm, the national government, and nonprofit organizations, including Junior Great Books and Children’s Legal Aid. Among his favorite pursuits are sports/coaching baseball, classical and ragtime piano, French cuisine, Broadway musical theatre, and dreaming up puns and fractured fairy tales. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Christel, and is the proud father of daughter Chloé and son John.
Pascale Zayas was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and grew up in Massachusetts, where stories sparked her early love of learning. She holds a doctorate in public health and a master’s in public administration and has spent over a decade helping communities grow stronger and healthier.
Inspired by her husband’s work as an on-call firefighter and her own passion for education, Pascale believes that empowering children with knowledge can build safer, more confident communities. Her latest book introduces young readers to the basics of fire safety, combining important lessons with a warm and approachable style.
When she’s not writing, Pascale enjoys crafting, cooking cuisines from around the world, and sharing everyday adventures with her husband and daughter.
Ronald Arne Saetermoe enjoyed a wondrous childhood with many extraordinary adventures. His good friends and the adventures they shared inspire his writing.
Joy Evans is an elementary school teacher, musician, and composer who resides in Spokane, Washington, where the Pacific Northwest’s mountains, lakes, trails, and bike paths are her playground. Her mini teardrop trailer, lovingly named Daisy, tags along behind her 2015 Subaru each summer and adds a little “glamping” to the camping experience. Joy has traveled the world, touching down on all seven continents, but her greatest joy will always and forever be the six beautiful humans who call her mom. Although she does not yet have any grandchildren, she is an adoring grandmother to many grand-dogs!
Samantha Brown is a world-renowned professional and celebrity stylist who works with her clients to refine and elevate their personal style.
She resides in New York with her husband, Joel, and their daughter, Phoenix—aka “Pip.” She wrote this book for Pip and for all children who feel the magic when dressing up!
For more on Samantha’s Styling Work, please visit samanthabrownstyle.com and follow her @samanthabrownstyle.
Author Debbie Klee has enjoyed crafting stories all her life. Originally from the Bay Area and having spent many years in South Tahoe, Debbie now resides in Carson City, Nevada, where its rich history and abundance of wildlife serve as inspiration for her writing. From a collection of antique teddy bears, to the wild horses who raise their young near her home, Debbie finds a story in everything she sees. When not writing, Debbie keeps her mind and body sharp through activities such as figure skating and teaching Pilates.
Antonietta, a mom of three beautiful children, and Michelle, a mom of three rambunctious boys, were coworkers at a hair salon when they met and started a friendship twenty years ago. From the time Antonietta’s children were born, she wanted to do something special with them. Inspired by their obsession with balloons, she began the Balloon Fairy tradition. It came to be something they loved and looked forward to year after year! The idea caught on, and soon, many of Antonietta’s friends were starting the tradition with their own families. Michelle loved the idea as well, and together, she and Antonietta wrote The Balloon Fairy. They hope this ageless story brings as much joy and happiness to your families as it has to theirs!
Antonietta, a mom of three beautiful children, and Michelle, a mom of three rambunctious boys, were coworkers at a hair salon when they met and started a friendship twenty years ago. From the time Antonietta’s children were born, she wanted to do something special with them. Inspired by their obsession with balloons, she began the Balloon Fairy tradition. It came to be something they loved and looked forward to year after year! The idea caught on, and soon, many of Antonietta’s friends were starting the tradition with their own families. Michelle loved the idea as well, and together, she and Antonietta wrote The Balloon Fairy. They hope this ageless story brings as much joy and happiness to your families as it has to theirs!
Shea Campbell is an avid reader, dancer, and softball player. She is currently trying to finish the Harry Potter series. Her favorite Halloween candy is anything but Almond Joy, and she reserves the right to change costume ideas fifteen times before Halloween night.
Lorenzo Rodriguez taught and worked as a school administrator for twenty-nine years before retiring. While teaching primary grades, he would tell stories to his students. The ones they most loved and connected with, he decided to capture on paper. Years later, a friend discovered the first draft of An Airplane Without Wings on his desk. His friends and students loved the story so much that Lorenzo decided to publish it to share it with the world! Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Lorenzo came to the U.S. in 1970 and now resides in California.
Kathleen Harding is a children’s author, educator, and mama to one baby girl and one sweet pup. She is passionate about sharing hope with those who most need it. Your Shadow and Mine is inspired by her and her husband’s personal journey of love, loss, and letting go. Fifteen years after they first sought help with infertility, their daughter arrived and was truly the greatest, most precious surprise of their lives.
Jennifer Jones is a retired high school English teacher who lives in Mount Airy, North Carolina (a.k.a. The Andy Griffith Show’s Mayberry), with her husband and their two dogs, Chilly and Charli. She is a proud mother of three grown sons and a daughter-in- law, whom she cherishes spending quality time with. Jennifer’s favorite genre to read is mystery, but children’s books have a special place in her heart. When she isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys playing VR and board games, watching movies, and cheering on the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team.
Lauren Olivia Vilbert received her PhD in public history from North Carolina State University, where she researched tourism development on the Currituck Outer Banks. Lauren is passionate about exploring how local history connects to humans’ relationship with the natural environment. Inspired by many walks along the Currituck Sound and beaches with her son, she wrote a children’s book that encourages curiosity, a love of nature, and respect for the world around us.
Jenna Sylvester lives in rural Idaho with many furry critters and dark, starry skies. She is a busy mom in a blended family with nine children. When she isn’t working as a nurse practitioner, she enjoys crocheting plushies, making giant cookies, recording a podcast, and cooking large Sunday dinners for her family. Adoption is close to her heart, as she has two adopted daughters and many adopted fur babies!
Chris O’Neal, a writer currently living in Tokyo, Japan, was inspired by his adventures while working at Sunshine Scenic Tours at John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach, Florida. His latest work, Penny the Pirate Pup and the Legend of the Royal Conquest, draws from the magical moments spent in Boca Ciega Bay with his brother, Dustin O’Neal; the crew of the real-life Pirate Ship Royal Conquest; and the charming pirate pup, Penny.
Sunshine Scenic Tours’ Pirate Ship Royal Conquest, a true-to-life wooden pirate ship, serves as the backdrop for Chris and Dustin’s creative venture. The brothers’ collaboration and shared experiences aboard the Royal Conquest brought the book you’re holding to life, capturing the spirit of their unique and exciting journey.
Sunshine Scenic Tours’ mission is conservation, education, and inspiration. Through their educational endeavors, they hope to raise the next generation of environmental stewards who’ll look after Boca Ciega Bay and make Penny proud.
Aimie Meyer’s family began their tradition of having their kids—the real Oliver, Arthur, and Danny—take turns selecting a Christmas tree each year at Grandpa Dan’s Christmas Tree Farm in 2018. After the third year, they were presented with the opportunity to purchase not just one tree but the whole Christmas tree farm! Grandpa Dan, a Korean War veteran with a love for nature and hard work, started his farm in the 1990s and cared for it into his late eighties. Today, author Aimie and her husband, Dan, (plus, of course, Oliver, Arthur, and Danny!) take care of Grandpa Dan’s Christmas Tree Farm.
This is Aimie’s first book, and she hopes to share the gifts of family traditions and being yourself with all young readers. To enjoy more of Aimie’s writing and learn more about the Meyer family’s journey, check out her blog at their farm’s website, www.grandpadansfarm.com/blog.
Sam Otis is an award-winning graphic designer and emerging illustrator based in Peoria, Illinois. His work, influenced by the beauty of nature and the creativity of his family, celebrates the power of visual storytelling. By combining simple words and striking imagery, Sam’s illustrations transport viewers to imaginative worlds.
Tanya has teamed up with her cousin, Frankie Hamersma, on Tails of Moo Cat. Frankie is an animal lover and a Grammy award-winning graphic designer. She serves as a senior lecturer at Otis College of Art and Design in Southern California and assisted in telling the real-life story of Moo.
Dr. Mary Nochimson holds a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in psychology. Raised in a family rooted in Western medicine, she was always drawn to health, healing, and the sciences. Yet alongside her medical interests, she nurtured a lifelong passion for creating and teaching. Guided by her faith, Dr. Nochimson believes God led her to the path of holistic healing and creative writing. Her mission is to provide parents with resources that inspire and empower them to embrace their family's full healing potential and to reconnect with their natural instincts. With deep compassion, she works to restore parents' confidence in a world where they often feel pressured or dismissed by traditional education and healthcare systems.
Alisha Simpson-Watt, LCSW, BCBA, LBA, is the executive clinical director and founder of Collaborative ABA Services, LLC, an award-winning, accredited behavioral health practice. As both a licensed clinical social worker and BCBA, Alisha has dedicated her career to supporting children and families navigating developmental and behavioral challenges. With experience across home, school, and community settings, Alisha specializes in applied behavior analysis and autism spectrum disorder. She also holds certifications as a School Social Worker and School Intermediate Administrator. Beyond her professional work, Alisha is a proud mom of three, including a child with autism. Her personal and professional journey inspires her passion for creating inclusive spaces, empowering families, and helping every child feel seen, valued, and understood.
Caryn Whisler is a licensed behavioral specialist and a registered mental health clinician living in Florida with her wonderful husband, Michael, and her amazing daughter, Alexis. Her passion for children's mental health inspired her to earn two master's degrees (in applied behavioral analysis and clinical mental health) and write stories that children can relate to and learn from. She hopes that this book encourages children to seek assistance when needed and be friends to those in need.
Catherine S. Geiger is an illustrator and therapist. She holds a bachelor's degree in communication design and a master's degree in marriage and family counseling. She is a licensed behavioral specialist who works with children on the autism spectrum, and she has a heart for helping neurodivergent adolescents. She teamed up with Caryn to present an opportunity that will enable every child to find their success. Catherine has three adult sons and two beautiful granddaughters. She lives with her special dog, Bradley.
Brittney Roberts lives in the ceaselessly rainy half of Washington State with her husband and guild of happy little knights (four of the most passionately rambunctious, frighteningly brave, endlessly chatty boys you’ve ever met). And when she’s not preventing one of them from impaling themselves with something sharp, preparing them to be functioning people in the world, or attending their weekly taekwondo classes, she’s trying to squeeze in time to transfer all the words and pictures stuck in her head onto paper. It was the combination of a waltz through a dimly lit forest and her toddler’s demand for yet another new story that birthed the characters of Shiloh and Jonah, the beautiful (sunny) land of Mairia, all the scary and wonderful creatures that inhabit said land, and the story that knits them all together. Does it matter that she has completed triathlons, recorded an awful CD out of high school, or can do “live long and prosper” with her toes? No. What matters is where you find glimpses of yourself somewhere in her story, be it in a fierce competitor, a person content with the slow life, a mistake maker, or a forgiver. Read and enjoy.
W. Caine Maher is the proud husband of Colleen and the father of two girls, Sophie and Lucy. He served as a firefighter and EMT for the Philadelphia Fire Department for eighteen years. He coached girls’ varsity soccer while being a high school teacher in Philadelphia for five years. Maher was inspired to write Lucinda the Brave by his own talented daughter, Lucy, and her desire to stay out of the spotlight when she was young. Now, however, Lucy has overcome her fears and come out of her shell—she even played the starring role in her school’s production of Beauty and the Beast.
Shauna Farris resides in Connecticut with her husband, two goofy kids, and one adorably grumpy cat named Purrmione Granger. She adores spending her days working as a school counselor, where she gets to laugh and play every day. When she isn’t working, you can find her trying out new recipes, drawing or spending time outside. The tale of The Tardy Tooth Fairy came to Shauna when the tooth fairy forgot to stop at her house one night. The family was wondering what could have happened and a story was born!
Stephanie Duncan‐Peters was born in New York City. Her father was a member of the United States Foreign Service, so she lived in many countries, including Libya, Finland, Sweden, and India. Eventually, she returned to the United States, where she now lives in Maryland.
After high school, Stephanie attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Her political science course inspired her to pursue a career as a lawyer. She went on to The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, for her law degree before becoming a lawyer and then a judge. After being appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate, Stephanie became a judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
During her tenure on the Superior Court, she also wrote a few children’s books, which she is eager to share with young readers.
Rachel Nicole Davis is from Canton, Ohio, where she lives with her mother, Alicia; father, Jeff; sister, Rebecca; brother, Kevin; two beagles, Millie and Crash; and guinea pig, Sprinkles. She has been a preschool teacher for the past two years and loves to help prepare children for kindergarten and inspire them to use their imagination. After unexpectedly losing her aunt, Rachel decided to finally follow her dream of writing a book because life is too short to not make your dreams come true. In her free time, Rachel loves to go fishing, do woodwork, and spend as much time as she can with her friends and family.
Randi Knopman is a first-time author and proud Grammy. A former QVC guest host and actress, Randi currently resides in Florida, where she enjoys aqua fit classes and spending time with her husband, mom, and friends. Randi’s greatest joy comes from her children and grandchildren, who inspired this story. The idea for Grammy’s Glasses arrived when Randi’s own young grandchildren discovered her glasses and how much fun it was to pull them from her face. This always produced lots of giggles-as well as several visits to the eyeglass store for repairs!
Dr. Kristen Kilroy PT, DPT is a physical therapist specializing in pediatric aquatic physical therapy. She helps kids with all different injuries and diagnoses achieve their goals through hard work disguised as fun. This was the inspiration behind Henry Goes to Aquatic Physical Therapy—physical therapy should be fun!
After growing up in Pennsylvania, Kristen moved to Virginia to attend Marymount University, where she was on the swim team, for her undergraduate. After earning her degree, she went to graduate school to get her doctorate in physical therapy. Her career as an aquatic physical therapist merges her interests in swimming and physical therapy. In her free time, Kristen likes to travel, craft, cook, and explore the DC area.
For more information on aquatic physical therapy or to schedule with Dr. Kristen, visit www.waterreliefpt.com.
Driving through western Washington down a small-town road lined in evergreens, youmight drive by our author’s home. Cassandra Mckenna and her partner, Jason, aregrowing there with their two children, who inspired this whole story. In Everything Is Green: A Fowl Daydream, Cassandra invites you into a world of both present andgreener grass existences.
Cassandra spends life creating art, dancing, writing stories from dreams, and caring forcreatures of many sizes. She loves to experiment with the flowers she plants in hergarden, read to her kids, and spend quality time with her family, dogs, and birds.
Dr. Jennifer D. Son is a first-generation surgeon. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Guatemalan parents. Her father was an internal medicine physician in Guatemala and came to the U.S. due to civil unrest. Dr. Son went to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and knew in her bones that medicine was the career for her. She attended medical school at Boston University and quickly learned that she needed to be an advocate for patients. She completed her general surgery residency at Rush University in Chicago and then completed her breast surgical oncology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.
She is currently a practicing breast surgical oncologist in the DC area. Breast cancer is one of the most curable cancers that impacts women and she loves her patients, the science, the surgical technique, and teaching future generations of surgery. She is an advocate for women’s health and believes in educating and empowering patients to make the best decision for themselves. She truly loves what she does.
During her training, she never saw surgeons who looked like her. Women make up about 36 percent of the physician workforce and the surgical specialties are still predominantly male with only 22 percent of general surgeons being women. Now, Dr. Son is a mother of two young girls, and she wants to inspire them and make sure they know that the world is full of possibilities. If you can dream it, you can be it.
Lindsay Ann Fink has been in the teaching field for over twenty years. Leveraging art and fun, she has a creative way of connecting kids to literature and inspiring a love of reading. In fact, she never fails to bring books to life in the hearts and imaginative minds of children. With this goal as a driving force, Lindsay joyfully creates stories that kids of all ages can enjoy.
Gianna and Leiann Greib are a Michigan-based mother-daughter duo. They love books, horseback riding, and watching and listening to Wicked on repeat. They live with Brad, Ben, their beloved dog Tank, and their lizard Cosmo. In their free time, they like to visit the local library, befriend reptiles at the Reptarium, and share cookies and smoothies at their local smoothie shop. No matter what Gianna is doing, she’s always dreaming up a new story about a team of dragons.
Camille Bryant is a devoted mother and educator. Her passion for education was first ignited during her time with AmeriCorps VISTA, where she led an after-school program for refugees. This passion then led Camille to become an elementary school teacher. During her time in the classroom, Camille was able to see firsthand the impact of social and emotional learning on the well-being and overall happiness of children. Her experiences ultimately motivated her to pursue a PhD in educational research at the University of Virginia.
As the mother of a neurodivergent child, Camille has observed the importance of fostering empathy and compassion in children’s interactions. Camille’s commitment to motherhood and to education converge in Josiah Loves to Play. Through her book, she aims to inspire both parents and children to engage in open dialogue about these values, emphasizing the need for understanding and kindness toward all children who seek to play, explore, and connect with the world around them.
Richard Lamb has lived quite a storied life, having been an educator, sailing instructor, and truck driver. He even has a background as an author, having published A Ghost in Maritime America in 2023. Richard enjoys using Homer to put a smile on people’s faces in campgrounds, motels, and cafés as well as at events as he travels. He is eager to more broadly share the joy that Homer brings with the publication of Homer, America’s Traveling Jackalope!
Morgan Crutcher is the mother of three beautiful babies and a nurse by profession. The inspiration behind this book came after walking alongside a dear friend and her journey through loss.
