IAP 191: Her Superhero Dad: How An Italian American Daughter's Love Inspired a Literary Career

When we think about the Italian American experience, our mind floods with images of parents and grandparents, traditions passed on through time with the family, and a multi-generational story that plays out over a lifetime of shared memories. But, how do we best pass on the story of a loved one who we have lost? In this week's episode, we meet Michele Cerullo McAvoy, whose quest to answer that exact question led her into a new career as an award-winning children's book author. As Father's Day approaches, we sit down with this New Jersey native (who may or may not have known our very own P.O.B. in his high school days) to discuss Michele's 2016 Moonbeam Award-winning book, "My Superhero Grandpa," the story of a boy and his beloved grandpa, who watches over him with superpowers, even though grandpa is in Heaven. Michele shares stories of her own Italian American father, whose life inspired this book, and some of her others, as she sought ways to introduce her father's story to her children, even though he passed on before they were born. We talk about ways to honor our ancestors, whether it's through genealogical research or more creative and artistic pursuits, and how preserving family stories is vital for future generations to have a relationship with their forebears. Michele also tells us about how during the COVID-19 pandemic she started The Little Press & Blue Bronco Books, a traditional children's book publisher that specializes in books promoting the social and emotional welfare of our youth,  and she  stresses just how important it is to produce quality work for children to move our culture forward. With Father's Day around the corner, join us as we hear this heart warming story of how a father's love inspired a new career, and a chance to make a difference in the lives of so many children! For more about Michele and her books, visit http://www.michelemcavoy.com/.