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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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).
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.
Award-winning author, editor, and independent publisher Kathleen Welton champions the beauty of beaches, birds, and wildlife while promoting a sustainable future through her work. Her critically acclaimed books are a testament to her passion for literacy. A Mom’s Choice Awards gold winner, International Book Awards winner, and Best Book Awards finalist, Kathleen brings her dreams to life through collaboration with amazing editors and illustrators.
Fueled by a lifelong love of learning, Kathleen holds a BA in English and Italian Literature from Stanford University and a Feature Film Writing Certificate from UCLA Extension. After a successful career in book publishing, she’s embarked on this exciting new chapter—as a writer of picture books.
When she is not writing, Kathleen enjoys meditation, getting lost in a good book, and exploring the shores of Lake Michigan. A true Californian at heart, she and her beloved Burmese cats now call Chicago home.
Sarah Hanger, a vibrant orthodontic practice manager turned author, is ready to inviteyou to experience your first visit to the orthodontist! Originally from the charming state ofVirginia, she’s not just your average braces-wielding superhero—she’s also a mom totwo awesome kids, Cora and Hudson, and a travel enthusiast who believes every storydeserves a chance to be told. With a decade of firsthand experience in orthodontics, Sarah has mastered the art ofstraightening smiles and brightening lives. She’s now also a certified expert in turningdental visits into epic illustrated book adventures! With her trusty characters by herside, she’s on a mission to spread the word that every trip to the orthodontist is a tooth-tastic experience.
Lara Eurdolian King is a beauty + style expert, on-air talent, entrepreneur, and founder of the brand consulting and media agency and accessories line, Pretty Connected. She’s also a freelance writer, guest editor, and brain trust member for NewBeauty magazine; is on the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) alumni council; and runs the beauty donation non-profit Share Your Beauty, which she co-founded. To date, she has helped get 400,000 unused beauty and hygiene products sustainably donated to shelters in the NYC tri-state area. Her favorite job of all, though, is being the loving dog mom to the real-life Charlie, who celebrated his seventeenth birthday this year.
Lisa Scott-Lee, a.k.a. Punky Lynn is an artist living in the “vortex” of Hot Springs, Montana, who has certifications in massage therapy, ONE reiki, art and laughter therapy, breathworks, and core strength yoga. Lisa is also the owner and operator of Wind Refuge Healing Center. She has three kids and seven grandkids who are her light, inspiration, and joy.
Andrea E. Bowling, M.A., LMHCA, is a US Army veteran and licensed clinical mental healthcounselor with twenty years of experience in human services and mental health. The majority of herpractice comprises working with children and families involved in the child welfare system. Theseexperiences inspired Andrea to write From Foster to Forever as a resource for foster families.Andrea spends her free time in her garden or cooking for family and friends. She lives in southernIndiana with her husband, Stacey, as well as her three dogs and cat.
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.
Nate Moeller lives in Freeland, Michigan, with his amazing wife, Jennifer, and their two beautiful children, Sadie and Sam. The inspiration for his book Twinkling Wings and Toothy Things came from his daughter Sadie losing one of her teeth. Nate, along with his brother Brett, is the co-owner of Moeller Builders, Inc., which specializes in custom home builds and remodels. When he isn’t working, Nate enjoys spending time with his family and enjoying the outdoors.
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.
Emily Menker is a proud resident of Dayton, Ohio, a city whose rich history and community spirit have profoundly influenced her life. Brought to the area by her father’s US Air Force career, she has embraced the city’s legacy, finding inspiration in its stories of innovation and perseverance. When not exploring history, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, Cole, and two wild boys, Sawyer and Luke, fishing in the many lakes and rivers of Ohio. In true Daytonian spirit, they are also entrepreneurs with a passion for reviving homes in and around the city, where they breathe new life into properties, with a focus on preserving Dayton’s architectural heritage.
Kelly Gregory fell in love with the special needs population as well as children with unique differences as a teen. Inspired by her involvement in volunteer and childcare work early in life, she chose to pursue a career as a pediatric occupational therapist and now has over ten years of experience in her field. Kelly believes that all of God’s children are fearfully and wonderfully made and should be celebrated! Kelly is married to a fellow occupational therapist, Parker, and together they have two sons, Mason and Wes, and one daughter, Kate. When she is away from work, you can find her in the carpool line, chasing her boys from one sports field to the next, or playing tennis.
Sasha Saidman is a rainbow baby mom who resides with her loving and supportive husband and two precious children in the Washington, D.C. area. As a baby, she was adopted with an open adoption and is passionate about embracing families of all types and appearances.
Since Sasha is dyslexic and couldn’t read for a long time, she never thought she would become an author. For a while, she felt uncertain about what direction to take in life. However, she ultimately earned her GED after dropping out of high school, and with the support of her caring family, she proved to herself and the world that she is capable of anything—including publishing deeply resonant children’s books. She hopes to inspire others to overcome their doubts and pursue what brings them joy as well.
Today, Sasha always tries to enjoy what she’s doing, and if she doesn’t enjoy it, she changes it! That’s a lesson she hopes to teach others as well. She and her husband ride dirt bikes and motorcycles, and their toddler even rides too. Sasha also loves theater and the arts—and is, in fact, a talented artist. She currently has plants all over her house, as she’s trying her hand at becoming a gardener. Her family is her everything—the motivation behind it all!
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!
Stephanie Solomon lives by the motto purpose over profit. Dedicated to finding the hidden or collateral beauty during difficult times, her work has raised more than $15,000 for nonprofits including Susan G. Komen, Breast Friends, and St. Baldrick's.
Robyn Polansky Morrison is the founder and lead principal of MORR Strategy, a financial and economic advisory firm committed to hands-on solutions for individuals, families, and institutions. Robyn is also the co-founder and CEO of Jewish Women INVEST, a learning program focused on the intersection of values and investing. In addition, Robyn serves as a venture partner at Rebalance Capital and an adjunct professor in investment principles at Touro College.
Robyn began her career and spent over two decades working in venture economics, portfolio management, and wealth management. As a passionate advocate of mission-driven causes, Robyn is engaged in numerous philanthropic activities, serving on several boards and committees furthering social good.
When she is not waxing on about aligning money and meaning, she can be found adventuring with her husband David, son Myles, and daughter Wren; connecting with friends around the world; and following New York Yankees baseball. Clearly, Robyn has had a range of chapters in her career, and becoming an author is the latest excitement in her life’s story!
Anthony Porter is an accomplished environmental educator who loves to get people of all ages outside to enjoy nature. As a recurring national finalist on American Ninja Warrior and professional archer, Anthony enables all people to find their own way to enjoy their backyard! Anthony uses his skills as an outdoor teacher to inspire people across the US to get excited and become passionate about the environment. With over thirty million views on social media platforms, this zany adventurer is widely recognized as someone to laugh and learn with. Anthony’s goal is to host wildlife TV programs for people of all ages and share his love for this gorgeous, wacky planet! No matter your age, you must ask yourself: ready for your next adventure?
Sammi Nutter Charlton, a fourth-grade teacher in East Wenatchee, Washington, fulfilled her dream of writing a children’s book after graduating from Washington State University. Dozer Day Paves the Way is inspired by her family’s community legacy. The Nutter Foundation collaborates with partners to bring Dozer Day to communities near you.
Sammi, with her husband, Bo, and their Labrador, Sky, enjoys hiking, running, cooking, and family time.
Peter Weber was born to fly. He comes from an aviation family, as both of his parents have flown for airlines and has always been passionate about aviation. Pete shared his love of flying—and the importance of following your dreams—with the world on ABC’s hit show The Bachelor. He is continuing to share that inspirational message with his first book, The Adventures of Pilot Pete.
Pete grew up in Southern California, where he would take flight lessons during college. He and his brother Jack have always been intrigued with aviation and aim to inspire others who have a similar interest.
You might have seen Peter appear on ABC’s hit show, The Bachelor, where he was able to share his love of flying with the world. Peter’s hope is that his first book, The Adventures of Pilot Pete, inspires children all around the world to pursue whatever dream they have.
Whether it’s flying or something else, he wants you to find whatever makes you feel most alive and never give up until you achieve your dream!
When the world excites Julie Golsteyn’s imagination, she follows that spark and puts pen to paper. Her first book celebrates the collection of character traits that parents seek to instill in their children.
It IS Up To You was inspired by real-life events when the weakness of others threw her family into a world of turmoil. Having experienced firsthand such upheaval, she sincerely treasures the strength of those who stand up for truth and make miracles happen.
Julie lives with her family in Northern Virginia and serves as the Chief Toddler Tantrum Mediator and the Certified Snack Dispenser.
Jonathan McMiller is an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and television personality from St. Louis, Missouri. From corporate to community, he has had a rich variety of experiences that have shaped his outlook on life. Being the thirdborn child to his parents, Willie and Minerva McMiller, he has always valued the importance of family and recognized the positive impact it has had in his life. His drive to inspire others to incorporate the values that he learned during his youth ignited his desire to mentor and coach youth groups within his community.
Along with his brother and co-author, Willie Macc, Jonathan co-founded his real estate development company with a mission to enhance neglected communities one house at a time. Together, the brothers’ efforts gained national attention, and they are now featured hosts on HGTV’s My Flipping Family.
One of Jonathan’s favorite quotes is this: “Life wasn’t meant to be perfect—it was meant to be lived!” With that motivation, Jonathan seeks every day to inspire others, live authentically and genuinely, and make a lasting impression on the world that is felt for generations to come.
Willie McMiller, better known as Willie Macc, is a well-loved standup comedian, actor, and television personality. With his brother and co-author, Jonathan McMiller, he stars in My Flipping Family, a reality TV show in which the brothers buy and flip homes in the city of St. Louis, Missouri.
Willie has over 20 million views of his standup comedy on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Plus, he is one of the stars from the hit BET show College Hill: Virgin Island and was pinned by Fox Reality Awards as one of the funniest guys on reality TV. Willie has also appeared on TV episodes and movies, such as Hulu’s Casual, ABC’s Goldberg, TruTV’s Laff Mobb‘s Laff Tracks, CSI, and Meet the Spartans with Kevin Sorbo and Tiffany Haddish. In addition, Willie is known for his acting in over forty national commercials for brands such as Snapple, Kia, Residence Inn, and Applebee’s. He was also the face of “Pump,” a bottled water brand, in New Zealand.
Willie has become one of the few reality TV stars to make it as a working actor and comedian in Hollywood. He now travels as a standup comic, and you can see him frequently at the Comedy Store and Laugh Factory in Hollywood.
As a behavior analyst and mom, Ashley Mack has always been interested in helping children understand and work through their emotions. Working in the field of applied behavior analysis with children of all abilities for nearly twenty years, Ashley has seen the importance of getting children to not only feel their feelings, but to also know how to communicate them and manage them. Once she became a mother, Ashley saw even more clearly how important it is to give little ones the tools needed to identify and cope with different emotions as they often struggle with how to navigate big feelings. Frustrated Fred is the first in a series of books designed to help children look at tricky emotions and to offer simple, lighthearted solutions.
Mary Beth Perrone appreciates the wonder and magic of children. Her passion, purpose, and give back is her nonprofit Mindful Movement FL, where kids learn to love themselves, others, and the Earth. Her book, I Have Superpowers, enables her to reach and teach more children the power of deep breathing.
Mary Beth resides in Florida with her husband, two kids, and two dogs. In addition to her nonprofit, she owns two successful businesses: 810 Showroom, a fashion wholesale company, and Radiate Wellness, a women’s wellness company. When she isn’t working, Mary Beth is adventuring outside with her family.
Stacey Wright is an author, singer/songwriter, and private music instructor, but her favorite title of all is Mom. She is a Berklee College of Music graduate and Georgia native, residing in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband, two kids, three dogs, and three cats. She loves teaching children and fostering cats and kittens for a local rescue called All About Cats.
“Let’s get our hands dirty and make stuff.” That’s the family motto of impressionist artist Emily “EMYO” Ozier. A Tennessee girl with Cuban roots, EMYO has lived a life full of art. Having crafted everything from paperdolls wearing napkin dresses to a 3D house for a family of painted bumblebees, EMYO spent her childhood creating. Today, EMYO lives and creates art alongside her husband and six children on a grassy piece of land in Tennessee. Her art is featured in galleries across the country, all the way from Palm Beach to Portland, Maine, and is collected far and wide. Her paintings are layered with inspiration—from her Cuban heritage and her impressionist training to the love, laughter, and gratitude that fills her home.
Having worked in the field of education for over twenty years, author Ellen Curry has always dreamed of one day seeing her very own book on the shelves of school libraries and classrooms everywhere.
M.B. Turchick is a licensed behavioral specialist working with children in classrooms, homes, and communities. Her goal is to write books that engage young children while offering a lesson plan teachers and parents can expand on. She resides in Warrington, PA, with her husband, Peter, and two golden retrievers, Nellie and Maggie. They have three grown sons and one new grandson.
Morgan Macaranas grew up in a small town in the foothills of North Carolina where she enjoyed spending time with her grandparents and great-grandparents on their farm, which has been in her family for over one hundred years. Now, she is a mother of two, and her children’s love of adventures inspired her to write Down in the Pasture, an interactive story that celebrates the outdoors and all of God’s creation. Morgan’s debut children’s book shows that there’s so much to enjoy in nature, even in one’s own backyard, as it provides countless opportunities for discovery and education.
Mandy Karol lives in Grand Haven, Michigan, with her husband, six children, four dogs, cat, and turtle. Her passions include special needs and trauma-informed advocacy, mindfulness, reading, dining out, traveling, and exploring the Lake Michigan shoreline. Her days are loud and busy but everything she could hope for. After spending years caretaking for others, she finally found herself returning to her childhood passion of writing. Mandy learned of her inherent goodness too late in life and now writes for children, herself, and inner children everywhere.
Ronald Arne Saetermoe enjoyed a wondrous childhood with many extraordinary adventures. His good friends and the adventures they shared inspire his writing.
Sarah Ganginis MS, RD, LDN, is an anti-diet dietitian and advocate for respecting size diversity. She has advocated, volunteered, and made changes to the health curriculum in Maryland, where she lives and where she has a private practice. Sarah’s passion is to change the landscape of health and nutrition education, a change that embraces size diversity and promotes curiosity and respect—rather than shame, guilt, and judgment—when it comes to food and nutrition.
Florence Ogunlesi MA, RD, LDN, is a food and nutrition expert. Her years of experience have taken her through various areas in the nutrition field, from working with patients of all ages in acute care hospitals to working in home care providing nutrition education to individuals under the Ryan White grant in Brooklyn, New York. Florence shares her passion for nutrition and culinary arts with clients eager to optimize their nutrition intake.
Barry Shein graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1971. He was a special education teacher from 1971 to 2008. An ardent Mets fan, Barry has lived in New York, Maryland, Florida, California, Arizona, and Idaho. Barry and his wife Nancy adopted Brandan in 2009 while living in California. Nancy was Barry’s biggest supporter, and it’s in her memory that Barry continues to share their adventures with Brandan.
Andrea Mercier’s story is one of advocacy, compassion, and inspiration. Already a military wife and minister, Andrea’s journey took an unexpected turn when she became an autism mom to her beautiful son, Gabriel. His extraordinary spirit spurred Andrea to pen Oliver’s Extraordinary Friend, her debut children’s book. Through her heartfelt storytelling, Andrea aims to bridge the gap between neurotypical and uniquely-abled children to foster understanding and acceptance. Her experiences as a speaker and advocate help her spread awareness and initiate vital conversations about autism within families and communities.
Cody Patterson is a grateful husband and proud dad of two boys—one adopted and one biological—who resides in Louisville, Kentucky. Cody holds a bachelor’s degree in English education and a master’s in strategic communication management. He currently works in corporate communications with a focus on internal communication and storytelling. He loves sharing the power of story to help others grow into more confident, comfortable, and compelling communicators.
Dr. Kevin D. Smith is a professor of education at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. In addition to helping his college students learn to become teachers, he is an illustrator with the company he started with his daughter, Kevin & Kaia. Kevin started his career as a high school math teacher and has always had a passion for teaching and art. He hopes his first book, Yucky!, inspires people to realize that math is about more than adding and subtracting.
Meet Bethann Pate, debut children’s author and mom to two lively toddlers, Stark and Vivi! When her kiddos couldn’t decide between their love of trains and dinosaurs (once again), she combined the two into a whimsical story that’s a surefire hit! After thirteen years in corporate America, Bethann now channels her creativity into magical tales. With a passport full of stamps from her globe-trotting adventures, she weaves the wonders of the world into exciting escapades that are sure to delight children everywhere.
Joann Howeth has always loved books. Her father taught her to read when she was four years old, which soon led to the creation of her own stories. At first, they were just in her head as a way to help her fall asleep at night. Later she started writing them down and has been doing so ever since.
Although she loves all animals and has had lots of them find their way into her care, she has never owned a cow. She does, however, own two black cats named Rajah and Ghost.
Dana Moneymaker grew up loving to read children’s books and writing “stories” at the desk in her childhood bedroom. She dreamed of being a writer, and by the time she went off to college, her goal was to become a magazine editor. She earned a bachelor of science in communications from New York University, landed internships with Brides and Vogue magazines, and ultimately spent the majority of her career as a marketing professional in the beauty industry. After becoming a mom, she returned to her slower- paced roots and now lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Jay, and her son, Aiden, who loves to read (much to his mother’s delight).
Rebecca Bodtke is a helicopter pilot in the Air Force who is currently stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada. She spends her free time camping with her dogs and friends and hopes that this book will inspire others to go outside and enjoy nature.
Karen Lamberson moved to Florida, where her love for the ocean and its inhabitants grew and blossomed, in the mid-eighties. This is where she met Scott, her husband and partner in life, and where they raised four amazing boys, Joseph, David, Joshua, and Matthew. Karen and her family live next to the ocean, always surrounded by their beloved household pets, too numerous to mention.
Teaching art became Karen’s passion. Working in the Palm Beach County School system for more than seventeen years, Karen made her lifelong dream a reality when she decided to write and illustrate a children’s educational book series about the oceans. With the help of her husband, Professor Clark the Science Shark was born and brought to life.
Scott Lamberson, owner of Lamberson Consulting Inc., has lived in Palm Beach County in Florida for over thirty-five years. That is where he met and married the love of his life and the illustrator and co-author of this book, Karen Lamberson. Together, they raised four awesome boys, Joseph, David, Joshua, and Matthew. As a family, they have seen their love for beaches, oceans, and sea creatures grow exponentially over the years. This prompted authors Scott and Karen to create an educational children’s book series about how to help save our seas. The Journey is the sixth installment—and only chapter book so far—of the well-loved Professor Clark the Science Shark series!
Kyle William Norton is an author, husband, and father who has found renewed purpose in life after giving his heart to Jesus. At a young age, he was diagnosed with a rare condition, which resulted in height deficiencies. Despite his challenges, Kyle has chosen to see the positive side and believes that our weaknesses can bring an abundance of perseverance and character. He has written a book titled The Small, the Tall, and the Most Important of All based on his real-life experience to help children and families going through similar struggles. Kyle's goal is to inspire readers to have an optimistic perspective, celebrate their uniqueness, and realize that they have a place in the world.
Visit Kyle’s website at www.kylewilliamnorton.com to learn more about his work and his heart for others.
Jeanette Leclaire shares her life with her husband and their children; a cat named Binx; and their beloved dogs, Fern and Arno. The family enjoys outdoor adventures with their pups, often hiking and camping in locales that inspire Jeanette’s stories. When indoors, Jeanette’s creative passions include quilting, knitting, pottery, and jewelry making. A graduate of Keene State College with a bachelor’s in studio art and elementary education and a master’s in special education, Jeanette now serves as a special educator. The Tails of Fern and Arno began as a storytelling project for her students and evolved into cherished picture books for her family, igniting a tradition of love and imagination she now hopes to pass on to readers.
Jenna L. Anderson is a book-loving yogi who resides in beautiful Colorado with her husband and son. Balancing her many duties, Jenna pours her creativity into crafting warm, imaginative narratives that she hopes will delight her readers. Her writing is fueled by hard work, in-depth research, compassion, and an ample supply of coffee and tea.
Her debut book, Racky’s Magic Letters, draws inspiration from her son, who taught them both the magic of boundless curiosity and unwavering determination. Jenna plans to send many more books out into the world—because, after all, there’s no such a thing as too many stories!
Kelly Seigenfuse lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband and their two children. She is a learning specialist who teaches students with learning differences. Kelly loves to follow in her mother’s footsteps by taking her children on many adventures and sharing her love of movies, books, sports, and all things Christmas. Additionally, she is a running enthusiast and an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Hank Thornhill is a husband and soon-to-be father as well as the author of Friends of the Great Outdoors. With over a decade of experience writing creative briefs and visionary presentations, Hank hopes his optimistic voice shines through in his latest book, which aims to inspire us all to get outside—to look, listen, and explore the natural world with curiosity.
Parents and caregivers be warned—Kirkus Media writes: “Thornhill delivers an inspiring story that may cause youngsters to ask their caregivers to hurry up and book an outdoor camping trip.”
As a native to Virginia, Hank has extensive experience exploring the deciduous forest and volunteers as a tree steward to help maintain his hometown’s urban canopy. Hank would love to write more books and take Friends of the Great Outdoors to habitats and ecosystems across the globe! He just has to come back inside first.
Kerry Nagle is herself a girl with two birthdays! Having been born on February 29, Kerry realized at a young age what a strange and special thing that is. Lacking a birthday that could be easily added to her class calendar caused little Kerry to go home from school in tears. Thankfully, her mother knew just what to do. Ever since, Kerry has celebrated two birthdays—one on February 28 and one on March 1. Then, when Leap Day rolls around, she has an extra special celebration on the 29th. Today, Kerry is a grown-up living with her husband and her golden retriever, Maverick, outside Denver, Colorado. She loves reminding all children just how loved and special they are.
Kirsten Currie is a full-time mother and educator of fifth-grade students. Full of creativity, Kirsten loves any project that unites her passions for literacy and art. As an author and the illustrator of Making Changes on the Fly, she has relished the opportunity to create a book that whimsically transports children to a place where kindness toward and care for one another are paramount. Kirsten believes that everyone is worthy of experiencing joy.
Shannon Shute is a full-time mother and school psychologist. Like Kirsten, she has cherished this opportunity to apply her love of writing and creative pursuits to publishing a children’s book. This book is the first in a series that aims to encourage children to explore and celebrate the individual differences inherent in our own communities. Shannon believes that every child deserves to be understood and appreciated for who they are and who they want to be.
Samantha Jeffries is an occupational therapist from Ohio specializing in nutrition coaching, pediatrics, and infant massage. She enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and spending time outdoors with her dog. Her diverse life experiences and adventures inspire her approach to health and wellness, helping her stay healthy and have fun.
Larkin Campbell has been a working actor in Hollywood for twenty-five years. He has written and produced fifteen short films, written three screenplays, and been published in multiple parenting magazines. You can read all about his adventures in Hollywood in his book A View from the Middle: How an Unknown Actor Managed to Stay That Way, available on Amazon books or at larkinsworld.com.
Adam Sniezek resides in Durham, North Carolina. When he isn’t working as a nurse, you can find him gardening, making collages, or trail unicycling. Adam was inspired to write his debut children’s book, Little Duckling’s Many Hats, after mulling over the parable of the talents.
Author Shoshana Enriquez grew up with a love of reading and hoped to one day see young readers enjoying her own books. Inspiration for Positively Me: An ABC Book came from the desire for her son to see his own positive attributes represented in a book dedicated to those living on the spectrum.
Christie Casciano Burns is an award-winning television news anchor in Syracuse, NY, and the author of four books. Christie’s children’s books, The Puck Hog 1 and 2, have been recognized nationally by Positive Coaching Alliance as “delightful books that teach an important lesson about teamwork.” Christie also writes a monthly hockey parent advice column for USA Hockey Magazine and is the author of My Kids Play Hockey.
Patrice Meyers lives with her three large dogs in Fallbrook, California, a small rural community north of San Diego. She has worked in the field of journalism as a news reporter, feature writer, and magazine editor. A native of Southern California, she loves the ocean, photography, and traveling. She is sincere in her concern for the environment, water quality, deforestation, habitat destruction, and endangered wildlife. She wrote Samson the Frog for her two boys and to help save the frogs. She has a genuine desire to inform, influence, and entertain. “Many kids today never have an opportunity to see, hear, or touch a frog, yet their fascination with the creatures is spontaneous. I hope this book will inspire both children and their parents to be aware of frogs and other endangered wildlife and find ways to help them. They have as much right to exist on this planet as we do. By saving them, we are saving ourselves and the planet. Critters everywhere need our protection.”
Ashli Ackel Plemmons is a Louisiana girl who now calls East Texas home. She lives with her husband, Britton, and their three beautiful children. Ashli has a bachelor’s degree in history and nursing from Louisiana State University, and friends and family are everything to her.
Since his earliest days, Brian Moriarty has been enchanted by the timeless beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Though he calls Cleveland, Ohio, home, the pull of the Lowcountry has drawn him back year after year since the 1970s—first as a young traveler with his parents and now alongside his wife, Ellen, and their children. An attorney by profession, Brian possesses a love of music and nature that brings a sense of harmony and wonder to everything he does, inspiring his creative pursuits and deep connection to the world around him.
These passions are woven together in his debut children’s book, Magnolia Rising, a creation lovingly shaped in collaboration with his family. In a world filled with complexities, Maggie and Aster’s story unfolds as a tender reminder of life’s most precious truths: the magic of self-belief and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. Set amidst the sandy marshes of the coast, Maggie and Aster’s adventures reveal that even the tiniest creatures can weave wonders, proving that, with a little help from friends, even the smallest hearts can leave an extraordinary mark on the world.
Angela Miller is the founder and chairman of Laura’s Village, a nonprofit inspired by her daughter, Laura. Angela has a bachelor of science in education, has taught at schools overseas and in the United States, and currently teaches third grade in North Carolina. She has also worked with a nonprofit to care for critically ill orphans overseas and has provided respite for at-risk children here in the United States. Miller wrote Nosey Rosey to highlight her driving passions: faith, family, adoption, and special needs. She is a bio and adoptive mom to five grown children.
In addition, Angela is active in the special needs community, as her oldest daughter, Laura, has severe intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). She says, “I believe that God has created every person for a purpose. No matter what level of ability exists, everyone is able to make a positive impact on the community.”
Grace McCaffrey lives in New York City with her husband, their son Finn, and their dog, Moxie. Finn and Moxie happen to share some uncanny similarities with Knox and Fox. This is Grace’s first children’s book.
Suzanne Foster is a retired teacher who resides in Suffolk, Virginia. She taught kindergarten and first grade in Portsmouth, Virginia, and second, fourth, and fifth grades in Chesapeake, Virginia. She holds a BS in education and an MS in curriculum and instruction from Radford University, as well as a certificate of advanced study in leadership and supervision from Old Dominion University. Suzanne loved making connections with the students she taught and enjoyed watching them learn and grow each year.
Suzanne has always loved being in the great outdoors. She enjoys vacationing in Outer Banks, North Carolina; Beaufort, North Carolina; and in the mountains of Highland County, (Monterey) Virginia. She also enjoys exploring the Eastern Shore area. Suzanne and her husband, David, have one son, Hunter. For years, the family has been working on growing chestnut trees.
Preston Knowles lives in the Dallas metroplex. Like Ollie and Beep, one of his favorite things to do is travel to new places. His desire to explore the world even inspired him to pursue a degree in geography! Preston also loves learning about history, paleontology, and philosophy. When he isn’t writing, you can find him cozied up with a good book or adventuring across the globe in pursuit of new knowledge.
After years of professional writing, private equity attorney Jeff Dorrill decided it was time to write something a little different. Switching gears from his experience writing law review articles, including over thirty-five pieces for publication in SMU Law Review, Baylor Law Review, and Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law, Jeff wanted to write something that would be read for fun.
Growing up, Jeff combined the skills and life lessons he learned from each of the caring adults in his life to build his own roadmap for living. Now an adult with children of his own and recognizing that families in today’s world are formed in ever-changing ways, Jeff sought to pen an entertaining and emotional children’s book about the magic of chosen family. Inspired by the many caregivers who played a role in his own rearing, Jeff dreamt up Brunt and Eggbert and brought the story to life.
Jeff currently resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife, Melisa, children, Tenley and Hunter, and his grandchild, Vivian. He is working on his third master's degree at the University of Southern California in criminal justice, and despite the time dedicated to practicing law, studying, and writing, Jeff doesn’t spend his life behind a desk. He has won multiple national championships in triathlons including three-time Ultra-Distance Triathlon National Champion in his age group.
David Weaver is the award-winning author of the bestselling business book Pay Matters: The Art and Science of Employee Compensation. He is the founder of the Compensation and HR Group, an instructor at the Compensation Analyst Academy, and the executive director of the Pay Matters Foundation, which is an independent and private nonprofit organization dedicated to providing people with knowledge about pay. For more information, David can be reached at info@paymattersbook.com
As a professional instructional designer, Lauren Lee strongly believes in education through fun. She was disappointed in how few fun, yet educational and accurate, books there are out there for new reptile owners. Bearded dragons make fantastic pets, and through writing B Is for BEARDIE!, Lauren wants to give both new and prospective beardie owners the confidence and knowledge to provide top notch care for these amazing reptiles.
Lauren lives with her two girls in Northern Colorado. They own several dogs and several reptiles, and they have the bad intention of adding more reptiles soon! Their first reptile was their bearded dragon Little Man, who inspired this book. In her free time, if she is not hanging out with her kids and pets, Lauren enjoys long distance running.
Taylor Burns is a children’s book author, a human resources manager, and, best of all, a mom! After struggling with infertility, Taylor and her husband found the joy of parenthood through adoption. The inspiration for The Remarkable Things You Learned Today came from asking her daughter what she had learned at daycare that day . . . long before she was even able to talk! She was astounded by the social skills her daughter learned being surrounded by her peers. Born and raised in Minnesota, Taylor lives in a northern suburb of the Twin Cities with her husband, daughter, two cats, and one dog.
Having grown up the granddaughter of a beloved school librarian, Kristin Winzer was introduced to books and their stories as a toddler and has loved reading ever since. Today, she is a wife and a mom of an awesome set of twins and is also the proud fur-parent of a mini goldendoodle named Teddy. As a parent intent on sharing wholesome, fun stories with her own children, she was inspired to write them herself about people or animals who bring joy to the lives of those around her. A lifelong resident of Texas, Kristin enjoys raising her family and going on trips and adventures together, along with serving the community through her church.
Lori Patterson, a proud mother and writer, has always been a creative individual. As a child, she loved to memorize and act out humorous scenes from her favorite children’s books. Now, as an adult, she finds joy in traveling and volunteering at her son’s school. This book and other writing projects have been inspired by connecting to her inner voice through stillness and meditation. Lori lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Ryan; their son, Sebastian; and their dog, Sunny.
Noel Vick grew up fishing in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” and now wets lines near his home incoastal Texas, where he co-owns a public relations company that focuses on fishing. A widely published fishing expert, he has a special interest in conservation and aquatic ecosystems. Hehas owned a fishing publication and fished throughout North and Central America, and he lovessharing his expertise with new anglers, especially kids. This is the first in a series of books thatwill extol the “awesomeness” of every living creature, big or small.
Carly Nguyen is an occupational therapist and newly published children's author with a passion for health and wellness. She has experience working in both clinic and school settings, and she enjoys using play-based methods to teach new skills. Carly also likes watching reality TV and features the experiences of her reality TV friend(s) through her book Sam Can't Poop. She is excited for readers to enjoy this book and looks forward to writing more about Sam’s future adventures!
Richard Sandberg has been writing poetry and music as an expression of his faith since he was a young teen. As a pastor for fifteen years with a master’s degree in Christian apologetics, he is always looking for ways to share the message of the gospel in a way that engages our current culture. Now, as a father of three, he is committed to passing on his faith to his children. This project combines Richard’s theological training, artistic talents, and experience as a father into one book designed to engage both children and their parents in a creative and timely way with a timeless message.
Caitlyn Hynes is a proud mama, wife, animal lover, martial artist, baker, and mental health therapist who is passionate about empowering others to embrace their emotions and navigate them with self-compassion and -care. She hopes to make mental health support accessible to young children and their loved ones through bibliotherapy. Caitlyn, who currently resides in Seattle, enjoys using humor and connecting with others through a mutual love for animals, especially dogs!
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!
L.S. Riv is a speech language pathologist who loves working with children and helping them discover the power of communication. Nothing brings her more joy than focusing on each child’s strengths to help them simultaneously improve in other areas. Dedicated to promoting inclusivity in her work, L.S. enjoys creating fun and engaging books to help children reach their communication milestones. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and son and their dog, Peaches. In her free time, she loves exploring new places, being near the beach—or any body of water—and spending time with her family.
Tiffany Latino Gerlock is the proud mother of a two-year-old boy named Chase, the joy of her life. She and her husband, Rich, are raising their son in a suburb near Syracuse, NY. She also has a grown stepson. Tiffany and Rich struggled for years to have a healthy pregnancy. After enduring significant heartbreak, through medical intervention and support, they ultimately became parents to their little “Chasey” in 2020. Chase, born prematurely, had to spend time in the NICU-all during the height of the pandemic. Fortunately, he received excellent medical care, and today, he is a healthy and happy boy.
Dr. Diana Rangaves is a distinguished board-certified pharmacist with over thirty years of healthcare experience across various fields and projects. With a doctorate from the University of California, she is a subject matter expert specializing in storytelling, research, and education who produces high-quality content that reaches diverse audiences. Her strong background in writing has enabled her to author and edit numerous books, articles, courses, and guides across different fields and genres. In addition to her writing, Dr. Rangaves is an accomplished professor, teaching critical thinking, ethics, pharmacology, addiction, behavioral patterns, pharmacy, and nursing. Dr. Rangaves is dedicated to enhancing well-being through her knowledge and compassionate approach. To learn more about Dr. Rangaves and the Values Series, visit DianaRangaves.com and rosyposy.club.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brittany Kelly has degrees in both vocal performance and business administration, blending her artistic and entrepreneurial hearts. A forever book lover, she draws inspiration from her passion of storytelling. Freckles is her debut children’s book recounting a very true tale. She resides in Kansas with her husband, daughter, and of course, Freckles.
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.
