Meet Mardell E. Alberico

When asked how I became a storyteller I say it all began in Mr. Hibdons' fifth grade class during “show and tell” where I entertained my classmates with adventures about my pony.  We laughed and cried and it was so much fun I wanted to do it every day.

Years later, I wrote stories for my son, which I kept in a file, and it was really just by chance that those stories found their way to be heard.

One cold and rainy day my son and his friends burst through the door and headed straight for the fireplace. Shedding coats, boots, and hats, they sprawled out to take in the warmth and to get their fill of popcorn and hot chocolate. Hearing their grumbles about bad weather, prompted me to say it was a perfect day for telling stories. Ignoring heavy sighs from them, we began what turned into a tradition of "Stories for Rainy Days" that lasted many years.

It was a valuable lesson for a new author as I learned my words could touch the hearts of those listening.

Years passed, and encouraged by my wonderful husband and some very good friends, I published two stories. “Children will love them,” they said. And so they do.

I have found happiness and success as a visiting author sharing Perry the Pack Rat to more than ninety schools throughout Northern California. Students as well as educators have taken Perry into their hearts and their classrooms where teachers tell me my books are read by children every day.

"Great Books Grow Great Kids"