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In 4th grade, I played Mother Nature in a school play. I walked on stage to a world that was dark and messy… and walked off transformed, wearing a beautiful gown and rose-colored glasses.
Those glasses never really came off. I’ve always looked at life with optimism, compassion, curiosity, and the belief that anything can become beautiful with the right perspective.
That belief has carried me through every chapter of my life.
I studied Communications and Marketing at the University of Hartford, then began my career in Manhattan. After two years in the city, I moved back to Connecticut, where I helped launch and build a property management company over the course of a decade. Eventually, the cold pushed me south to Florida, where I earned my Broker’s License, purchased a real estate company, and rode the wave until 2007.
After the crash, I explored different online businesses and reinvented myself more than once. But one thing stayed constant: the story I wrote in 2014—a magical little tale I knew I would someday bring to life.
Today, I’m back in New York, caring for my Mom. This chapter of life is quieter, wiser, and deeply meaningful. With the world feeling more complicated than ever, I feel called to make things simpler… gentler… more joyful.
My mission:
✨ Help people—especially children—discover the magic within themselves.
✨ Show them that happiness is a choice, a practice, and a superpower.
✨ Guide them to create a life they genuinely love.
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
ABRACADABRA by Terry Bean follows Dani, a young girl who leaves home during an argument between her parents and goes to a lake she often visits. There, she picks up a branch shaped like a wand and notices her reflection speaking from the water. The reflection listens as Dani explains the argument and asks her to name her feelings and the feelings she wants to have. The reflection explains that directing attention to pleasant thoughts can change how one feels and presents the idea of an inner “Wizard” used to guide choices by checking feelings. The reflection offers daily practices, encouragement, and affirmations, then disappears after saying “ABRACADABRA.” Dani applies these ideas over time, sharing the approach with others but keeping her lake reflection private.
ABRACADABRA, written by Terry Bean and illustrated by Ronda and Adee, has become a favorite in our home for both reading and conversation. The story is excellently written at a level that even my youngest reader could manage, yet the message proved helpful for me as a parent as well. The guidance offered is practical and usable, such as encouraging a child to pause before a decision and ask which option will lead to a calmer or more settled feeling afterward, a technique my daughter now uses when deciding whether to finish homework before moving on to play. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and were the reason my daughter selected the book for nighttime reading to begin with. A jewel-toned palette leans into a stunning purple overlay, giving each scene visual appeal. Dani is lifelike, and the art throughout is first-rate, making this book a wonderful addition to the bedtime rotation.
