About Alva
Horace Warpole, an English author, “coined” the word serendipity in 1754. Mr.Warpole seemed to have formed the word from a ”silly fairy tale,” called “The Three Princes of Serendip.” This word that Walpole formed originally came from an old name for Sri Lanka. He likened “serendipity” to discoveries, accidents or quests not planned for, that occurred with good fortune to follow.
 
My life has been one “serendipity” after another!
 
I was born and raised in the “Windy City,” Chicago.  I moved around quite a bit with my family over the years when I was younger. I always loved going to school, making friends, doing homework, and reading Archie comic books with my sister, Bonny.
I landed back in the Chicago area and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, however I never intentionally wanted to be a teacher! I say, “serendipity!”
 
It was the most exciting and rewarding “accident” that I had ever had. After teaching for 16 years and continuing on with my education, I received a Master of Education degree from Northern Illinois University and kept enjoying all the children who entered my classroom over the years.
 
 “Serendipity” arrives at my doorstep again!  This was the best, because I met my husband, Paul, on this encounter. Three children later, Justin, Jessica and Julie and moving to various parts of the USA, we are happily planted in Calabasas, California.
 
We know things often occur in “3’s.”
 
 “Serendipity” peeks out at me once more. This time at a community pumpkin festival where Marcie Gilbert and Patricia Krebs are too! Eventually they become part of my team.
 
Here I am with my first children’s book ready to meet the world. Book number two is not far behind!
 
I hope that “serendipity” comes your way. It is that breath of fresh air that knocks you off your feet, catches you off guard, puts a smile on your face and lets you know, that you never really do know what IS around the corner!

Member of:
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
American Library Association
California School Library Association
Children’s Literature Council
California Readers
Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
California Literary Arts Society (CLAS)
Book Publicists of Southern California
Authorsden



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Our mission is to:
Foster literacy

Promote the love of reading

Develop imagination

Create exciting, enriching, and rewarding stories for children

Encourage socialization through discussions and sharing experiences through reading

Stimulate thinking and communication

Provide positive reading experiences from a variety of stories to help children to become inspired and life-long readers.

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