I am Dr. Orissa DePass, an educator of many years. I live in Georgia and have one adult daughter named Clemencia. My mother, also named Clemencia was born in the country Panama. My first book, Clemencia, A Panamanian Cinderella was written to share the beautiful culture of Panama.
My name is Nicole Minard, and I’m not only a mother but also a Behavior Analyst who deeply values the transformative journey of parenting. I find immense joy in the little moments that make up this adventure. My passion lies in empowering parents, guiding them to replace stress with joy by fostering confidence in their parenting skills. Apart from writing, I prioritize spending quality time with my family. I’m also the founder of an Applied Behavior Analysis agency and a co-founder of a Babysitting organization, which further enriches my understanding of child development and family dynamics.
I’m a classically trained violist and violinist who studied music performance at NYU. I am also an art connoisseur and have worked as both art curator, dealer and consultant for a variety of galleries in NYC. I enjoy speaking French, going to the opera, reading Russian novels and going to art shows. I worked as an editor of a variety of art magazines. I also started doing stand up comedy and got some acting roles coming up. So yes, there’s a parallel between me and the character Molly in the book. I too had big dreams of being a “star”.
Q: First tell us something about yourself.
I am a retired speech/language pathologist and began writing books that met my speech therapy goals. Once I retired I continued writing, sometimes inspired by my grandchildren and often because that is the way my mind runs.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
I began in about 2000 when my husband retired and we started a publishing company for speech therapists.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
My first story was written and published in about 2003. It was EEK! I Hear a Squeak and the Scurrying of Little Feet.
Q: Tell us something more about your books?
Initially, they were to meet my speech goals with a lot of rhyming and repetition.
Q: Why do you choose kids as your reader? Is there any specific reason?
Yes, kids learn language, pre-reading skills, and emotional skills via books.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
Good question. I think it is based on my experience working with young children. We need fun books to capture the imagination of children. For instance, I wrote one book, Farting Four-Toed Troll, based on the Norwegian troll my children grew up with in Norway. But, I put the silly bent on it as I understood the working mind of little boys.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
Yes, to parents. Children need to hear words in a loving way (in your lap). They need to hear stories of kindness and love and how to cope with childhood’s difficulties as a way of preparing for coping with life.
Buy the book on Amazon and get two free downloadable books, coloring book and activity book at https://www.slpstorytellers.com/register-2/.
I am a certified positive parenting coach and passionate advocate for creating a better world through parenting, embedding my experiences into the magical tales I write. A linguist and quality expert, my personal tale took a transformative turn when I became a mother. My journey with positive parenting led me to sharing valuable lessons through engaging stories.
I have 3 published books – Cloud Monsters, Cloud Monsters: Return of The Vultans and of course The Lonely Chameleon. I love writing for kids and seeing them enjoy reading my books.
I am a mom of 3 boys, a high school math teacher, a wife, and an entrepreneur. My book, My Fairy Sisters: Leo and Bear, has been a source of joy for many as the proceeds of the sale have gone to my annual holiday gift drives geared towards children who live in group homes
I am a business owner. I own my own counseling practice, White Orchid Counseling, and I employ three amazing therapists. I am also Mrs. Illinois for The Galaxy Pageant system.
I am a new kids book Author, now on the sequel of the first Book. Which is Little Joe in The Big City. This book is Called The L.A. Adventure. Now taking kids on a journey through Hollywood and over L.A.
Vanessa Pardo-Suazo is a first-generation Latina-American. She was born and raised in Washington Heights, NY. She has a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in School Psychology, from Brooklyn College. In 2020, she parted ways with the NYC Department of Education in which she served the public-school community as a Bilingual School Psychologist for over five years, in order to be present for her family and herself. Vanessa is a full-time mom, wife and storyteller dedicated to evolving generational cycles.