Books

Author Vicki Gasperini writes books with her granddaughters! You will love them all!

InkandescentKids welcomes children’s book author and grandma extraordinaire Vicki Gasperini. A retired high school English, speech, and Resource teacher from 1976-2019, Vicki decided during the pandemic that the best way to stay connected to her grandkids was to write books with them.

Find details about the books and her co-authors below! And meet Vicki in person in person at our August 8 InkandescentKids Children’s Book Fair and Birthday Party!

Adventure Cat Meets the Flying Monkeys

By Olivia Grace Schworer and Vicki Lee Gasperini • Illustrated by Tristan Tait

Meet Pompom, a young cat living a comfortable life with her loving family in their tree house overlooking the Magic Forest. She is attracted to the beauty of the forest, but her father forbids her from exploring it. Pompom wants to obey his orders, but she cannot deny her curiosity and sets out to explore the Magic Forest on her own. Pompom’s decision will result in dangerous encounters with mythical creatures, opportunities for bravery, and a mature understanding of the value of family and friends.

About co-author Olivia Grace Schworer: In 2021, COVID was raging, and 2400 miles separated Olivia Grace Schworer, who lived in Menlo Park, California, and her grandmother, Vicki …

Young adults are going to love Chanthal Harris’ new gothic-inspired bookstore in Old Town, Alexandria — Long Dark House: Where Stories Follow You Home

If you love stories that make you feel a little (or a lot) scared, shocked, and totally curious about things that go bump in the night — you are going to love Chanthal Harris’ new bookstore, Long Dark House at 1510 King Street in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia — just …

Rev. Dr. Robert Flanagan gives us Courage2Thrive

About Bob’s books:

Courage to Thrive: Finding Joy and Hope in the Midst of Mental Health Struggles:

In his first-person spiritual journal, published in June 2020, Father Bob takes the reader with him as he traverses the dark and scary landscape of his mind and then the paths of faith …

Bestelling novelist Christopher Chambers brings us the stories of Marvel

Captain America: The Shield of Sam Wilson

The new Captain America has a big shield to carry. Is he up to the task? Find out in these subversive, exciting and uplifting short stories inspired by the Marvel comic book universe, written by celebrated Black authors.

The new Captain America has …

Veteran, mom, and storyteller She’Meka Wilson is on a mission with her popular Jade the Hippo books

About the Author: She’Meka Wilson is a passionate children’s book author and creative storyteller, best known for her uplifting series featuring Jade the Hippo. Inspired by her own experiences as a mother and veteran, She’Meka creates heartfelt stories that empower young readers to face their fears, express themselves, and believe …

You must take a trip to The Company of Books: A gently used bookstore that helps realize reading is freedom!

Location: 2200 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 • tcbdelray.com • 703-299-3080 • TCBdelray@gmail.com

Open: Sunday-Tuesday 11am-6pm • Wednesday-Friday 11am-9pm • Saturday 10am-9pm

About The Company of Books: A not-for-profit used bookstore located in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia. Its two floors are packed with books in a …

History comes alive in Irene Bennett’s new novel, “Battle of the Artisans,” portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China

Meet the Author: Irene Vinyard Bennett has wide experience as a writer and educational minister. Her debut novel, BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS: Making the Bells of Marquis Yi, won the International Proverse Prize of 2022. It is the first story about the Bronze-Age Bells of Marquis Yi, a National …

Meet Rob Heber, co-author, Founders’ Font and publisher, Ranger Sacred Honor Publishing

About the Author: In February 2026, Rob Heber co-founded Ranger Sacred Honor Publishing with fellow Army Ranger Sean Hagerty. Together, they co-authored Founders’ Font, a children’s book that teaches critical thinking, introduces STEM concepts, and our nation’s foundational cursive by helping young readers understand and engage with America’s founding …

Young adults will love “Heart of the Beast” by A.P. Stenstrom

About the Heart of the Beast: On a continent-sized island, four dragons must learn to work together to defeat a rising evil. These four unlikely heroes will have to reveal their secrets and who they are to have a chance of victory. One secret might put the whole dragon …

“A Chameleon Tale: A Colorful, Sensory Story,” by Sarah Collins, illustrated by Jackie Adrian

About the book: At any moment in time, we are taking in information about our world through our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin, and joints. This, sensory processing, is how we experience our world and is unique to each person. Our job as parents, caregivers, and adults in influential roles …

“A Is for Alligator…And Other Information to Entertain You,” by Jackie Adrian

About the book: Let’s learn our ABCs, but let’s make it beautiful! An ABC book to learn, delight, and start conversations. In Jackie Adrian’s signature, acrylic, collage style, she has brought her collages to life with the alphabet. The letters, paired with vivid collage, capture the focus of the young …

“Wisdom Nuggets for Relationships: Wherever You Grow I Want You To Know,” by Jackie Adrian

About the book: The intention of this book is to show that, wherever we grow, humans have quite similar ideas about the best way to maintain healthy relationships. We may look, talk, and eat differently, but the ways to love and respect one another have strong, universal threads. Jackie …

Don’t miss these books by Montel White, starting with the one he wrote for his son, “Ja’Khi Rise: All American Underdog”

About Ja’Khi Rise: All American Underdog

Author Montel White explains, “A lot of us wait for light at the end of the tunnel not realizing we are the light in the tunnel that someone is waiting to follow! Khi is my first child, my blessing, my best friend! I wrote …

Celebrate 250 years of American history with “The Democracy We Must Keep: Seven founders, nine documents, and the ideas that shaped America,” is the theme of the powerful new book by historian David O. Stewart

Learn all about the David O. Stewart show:

Podcasts on Inkandescent Radio
Video series on YouTube
David’s column on BeInkandescent magazine

Today: Watch ep3 of his show featuring historian and author George Goodwin as they talk about chapter 2 of The Democracy We Must Keep, “Common Sense, …

About the Accidental Poet: You will be delighted by books by Nate Whiting, his wife Jo Gilley, and Illustrator Shayna Renee Olivier (ShaynaPaints)

About the Accidental Poet: “My goal is to make anyone who reads my poems smile and forget for a moment where they were going or what was on their agenda, and emmerse themselves in another place and time,” shares Nate Whiting, an accomplished poet, singer, and songwriter born and raised …

Humans may “Hang 10” when they surf, but surf dogs always “Hang 20,” insists law enforcement officer turned children’s book author Kerri Hagerty. Meet her at Elaine’s and check out her bestselling books!

InkandescentKids welcomes Kerri Hagerty, a dedicated law enforcement officer and children’s book author! Her books in The Adventures of Olive series, will be available for sale at the Inkandescent Kids Book Fair on August 8, 2026. Reserve your tickets to win our grand prize.

Above: Check out our …

Meet Jessieca Montgomery Riley, Inkandescent Kids Book Fair Attending Author!

Welcome Jessieca Montgomery Riley, owner of Speak EZ for Kids and Author of the four book series on Public Speaking for Kids & Teens and “Leo Gets and Assignment” (2027 release). Jessieca Montgomery Riley will be exhibiting at our Inkandescent Kids Book Fair on August 8!

Inkandescent Kids: What …

Author, journalist, and lifelong traveler Austin K. Graff bridges the gap between curiosity and connection in “11 Places for Kids in Washington That You Must Not Miss”

InkandescentKids welcomes Austin Graff, a journalist and author of 111 Places for Kids in Washington That You Must Not Miss.

The book will be available for sale at the Inkandescent Kids Book Fair on August 8, 2026.

Reserve your tickets to win our grand prize.

About Austin: There’s profession, and …

Inkandescent Kids Book Fair Attending Author: You are going to love meeting Emilia Renay, 21, author of Bluejay Odyssey

Welcome Emilia Renay, a YA author who will be exhibiting at our Inkandescent Kids Book Fair on August 8!

About the author: Emilia Renay is the author of Bluejay Odyssey, a fierce advocate for the realistic representation of disabilities. Emilia draws inspiration from her own experiences overcoming medical adversity. …

How to Write a Social Story

by Ellen Smith, editor, Inkandescent Kids magazine

“Building connection through stories.” That’s how Carol Gray speaks of the social stories she introduced for her students in 1990. As a special education teacher, Ms. Gray worked with children that were on the autism spectrum. She began writing short narratives that explained …

Children’s book writer and illustrator Liza Uddin brings us, “Time to Sleep, Little Sheep,” and more!

Children’s book author and illustrator Liza Uddin was born in Washington DC and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. She received her bachelor’s degree in graphic design from American University, starting out at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design.

She says: “I’ve always drawn, since I was a child. Art …

Meet children’s book author Alexandra Kuehn who inspires kids and parents with “Libby the Lunchbuddy”

Alexandra Kuehn was born and has lived in Maryland for most of her life. From a young age, she loved to write and read and was often found buried in a book. Her favorites ranged from “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “The Little Prince” to anything by RL Stine. After spending …

March 2026: In her books to help families thrive, child psychiatrist Dr. Gayani DeSilva offers insights for tweens and teens — and their parents — to stop addiction and depression before it starts

A Note from Hope, publisher, Inkandescent Kids magazine — I am honored to introduce you all to Dr. Gayani DeSilva, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, Gayani obtained her medical training at Albany Medical College before interning at Brown University and doing a residency at Harvard. She has won numerous awards …

December 2025: Children’s book author Karen Leggett Abouraya teaches us that we are all connected in her newest tale, Zamzam

A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, Inkandescent Kids magazine — It’s an honor to introduce you to children’s book author Karen Leggett Abouraya and her newest title, Zamzam.

About the book: Zamzam is a young boy who enjoys life with his Egyptian grandparents in Alexandria, Egypt, and his …

September 2025: In his new book, “The Secret Sauce,” Superintendent Peter Noonan and his team of Educators Share 45 Ideas on What Makes FCCPS Special

About Dr. Peter Noonan: After an extensive, nationwide search, the Falls Church City School Board selected Dr. Peter Noonan as the ninth Superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools in May 2017. Dr. Noonan began his career as a special education teacher in New Mexico, where he was named Teacher …

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