I am a fully grown adult who still gets excited over the Scholastic book catalog.
I can wander for hours in bookstores. I absolutely love newly sharpened pencils. I’m also the full-time director of the Adolescent Health Initiative, a national organization promoting adolescent-centered health care practices, the mom to two young children, and a newly minted children’s book author.
As part of an interfaith family, I began searching for Chanukah books shortly after my first child was born. Unable to find stories that really resonated with my own cultural experience, I was reminded of a quote by children’s book author Beverly Cleary: “If you don’t see the book you want on the shelf, write it”. Thus began my journey to create and publish “The Great Latke Cook Off”, a Chanukah story about family tradition, friendly competition, and delicious recipes. I’m excited to say that I have now been able to share this story with families across the country!
Creating the book has been incredibly rewarding… and a bit addictive! I have found an incredibly supportive community of self-published authors and now have three more children’s books in the works: “Snow Day at the Zoo” (Fall 2019), “Places We Have Never Been” (2020), and “Tap Dance Ninja” (2021). My goal is to create and share stories that excite curiosity, broaden our exposure to other cultures, and cultivate a love of reading. You can learn more about my work at www.laurenranalli.com. If you’re just starting on your picture book journey, please feel free to reach out! I would love to connect and share what I have learned along the way.
