Author Spotlight: Molly Nero

Molly Nero loves to sing, dance and read. She spent over 18 years teaching elementary school. Reading to her own children, she was inspired to write. She encouraged and nurtured her 4th grade students in their writing, which helped to strengthen her own abilities. Nero shared, "Being critiqued by 10-year-olds was very humbling, but allowed me to open up myself and make sure that I was relating to them as my audience." 

Inspired by David McPhail, Nero sent her book to him not sure what to expect. "You can imagine my excitement opening his handwritten note that included his illustration of my main character Smarty Pig. He wrote, 'I hope that you will work hard to get ‘Smarty Pig’ published.' That encouragement was what I needed to keep trying until I found a publisher that believed in my book and valued my message," shared Nero.

The second book in the Smarty Pig book series Smarty Pig and the Test Taking Terror releases in Spring 2012.

Smarty Pig is the story of a family of pigs that have given up on school. They don’t do their homework and feel it’s not important. The only one who does is teased and nic-named Smarty Pig. When Smarty Pig gets good grades and the others fail, they reach out to her to help them. She agrees but asks them to try their best. She takes skills taught at school and puts them into real-life situations, ie: the kitchen becomes a grocery store with things to be purchased using play money. As the games are played, their grades improve too. They begin to understand that learning CAN be fun, and it’s not just for school, learning is for life.

Publisher: Halo Publishing, Int.
ISBN Number: 978-1-61244-048-4
Genre of Book:  Picture book
Publication Date: December 2011
 

Testimonials:   

“Kid-tested, librarian-approved! Nero does an outstanding job of conveying such an important message to youngsters.” --Elaine Volpe, Head of Youth Services, Bethel Park Library, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

“As my first graders listened to a reading of Smarty Pig, smiles and giggles abounded! Molly Nero has successfully combined an important life lesson with a fun read. It is a story that appeals to readers of all ages. Parents and teachers love the positive message about learning. Kids love it, because it's fun.” --Barbara Walsh, 1st Grade Teacher, Washington Elementary, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

"As is ofter said: I only know what I like and and I do like your clever, and funny, and (best of all) thought-provoking story...Smarty Pig. I wish I had come up with the idea myself!" --David McPhail

Places where Smarty Pig is available for sale:

www.halopublishing.com and all other bookstores POD after Dec.

Halo Publishing, Int. and the World of Ink Network will be touring author Molly Nero’s book Smarty Pig, which released December 2011

You can find out more about Molly Nero’s World of Ink Author/Book Tour schedule at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/MollyNero.aspx. There will be giveaways, reviews, interviews, guest posts and more. Make sure to stop by and interact with Nero and the hosts at the different stops by leaving comments and/or questions. 

In addition, come listen to Blog Talk Radio’s World of Ink Network show: Stories for Children at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork. The hosts VS Grenier, Kris Quinn Chirstopherson and Irene Roth will be chatting with Molly Nero about her book, writing, the publishing industry and experiences. Nero will also be sharing writing tips and trials, and the tribulations of the writer’s life.

The show will air live January 9, 2012 at 2pm EST. You can tune in live at the World of Ink Network site at http://www.blogtalkradion.com/worldofinknetwork.