THANK YOU to all who joined us on the St. Cloud blacktop to meet 10 local authors and have the opportunity to tell your story of Love + Unity through art and writing.
Melissa Brady Petrillo is a St. Cloud graduate and an educator in New Jersey with a passion for promoting empathy and inclusivity in her classroom. In college, when Melissa completed a research project about how children’s ability levels are portrayed in literature, she implemented her research to write a book from a child’s perspective. Her goal is to help students and families understand that everyone must value an inclusive mindset in our world today.
Raquel Hudson has a BA in marketing and public relations from the Scripps Howard School of Journalism & Communications at Hampton University. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children, where she enjoys writing professionally and leisurely every time she can get. Raquel also enjoys volunteering with local and national nonprofit organizations to provide support for both parents and children.
My name is Karen Green. My husband and I write children books based on inventions from around the world. Our characters, young inventors embark on problem based solving journeys and at the end of the story creates a well known invention, we all use today. We are promoting the theme of diversity and STEM based learning.
"Born in Ethiopia, Tiberah Berhanu emigrated to the United States at six-years-old. After learning how to read and write in English, Tiberah fell in love with books, words, and the ability to express oneself. This translated into storytelling, which is one of Tiberah’s passions.
In high school Tiberah’s poem, Time Will Transcend, won publication during a nationwide contest. During college, she co-created a community website, www.TsehaiNY.com, and interviewed notable figures, such as the late Dr. Catherine Hamlin. Most recently, she self-published her first book, My Uncle is an Alien. Most recently, she self-published her first book, My Uncle is an Alien. "
Virtuous Cornwall is a best-selling author, motivational speaker and CEO of Vncbooks publishing Company. As an alumni of Rutgers University, her life profession has always been geared towards serving children and families. She loves visiting schools, organizations and libraries to offer storytelling, and author workshops. You can learn more about me at www.vncbooks.com.
Asher Yarmush is a 4th grade student and resident of West Orange. He wrote Alex and Henry in China during his COVID summer at home. It tells the story of a friendship between two boys as it takes them through a typical day in Beijing.
The reviews are in! "My kids were engaged by the story, how relatable it was to them, and loved learning along the way. Super impressed by this young man." -Amazon reviewer
"I highly recommend this book for children. It's funny, interesting, multi-cultural, and whimsically illustrated. Kids will love it." -Amazon reviewer
This is Asher's first book.
Gwendolyn Valerius is a 3X author and transformational book coach who helps struggling writers turn blank pages into binge-worthy books. She’s also a southern girl with a penchant for Korean dramas and steaming bowls of Ramen.
Amulya is an award-winning children’s book author from NJ. She got her B.S/M.S in Biomedical Engineering and currently works full-time as a scientist. In her spare time, she enjoys writing and sharing stories about her goofy golden retriever, Cosmo!
Nora's Lollipop
Email Dr. Kimberly Rowland to purchase her book directly.
From Amazon: Nora is excited about celebrating her birthday with her classmates at school. That is until someone stole her birthday lollipop. Nora’s lollipop is a story about forgiveness, understanding and compassion.
In "The Magically Brilliant Boy" author Kristy Gray takes us into the world of her son with Autism. Lovingly written from Gray's heart, the fears and joys of the individual are tenderly portrayed giving the reader an inside look at Autism on a daily basis. As a mom raising a child/young adult with Autism, Kristy has opened up her world to you with "the Magically Brilliant Boy" and invited you into her daily life with her son. She does not claim to be an expert, just a mom with a lifetime of experience.