Creating Our Own Light

08/14/2026

08/04/2026

Long before children understand life's biggest lessons, they're collecting thousands of little moments that quietly teach them how to respond when things don't go as planned. 👦🏿👦🏽👦🏻🛤️👧🏻👧🏽👧🏿

Those everyday moments plant the seeds of confidence, compassion, and resilience. 🌱🌟🌱

And so, one giving grandmother and storyteller is reminding families that sometimes the brightest outlook begins with seeing everyday moments in a brand-new light. 👪🏻💡👪🏽

Retired Educator & Award-Winning Children's Author, Dr. Julie McDonnell Author, joins our John Masiulionis and Little Forrest on Episode #279 of PR From The Heart's Children's Books Spotlight Series to share how a career devoted to encouraging young minds evolved into stories that continue inspiring children far beyond the classroom, the inspiration behind her Bailey and Buttons Series (The Flowers in Grandma's Garden and My Rose-Colored Glasses, published by Miriam Laundry Publishing), the importance of helping children reframe life's everyday disappointments with a spirit of possibility, the power of picture books in creating meaningful conversations about big feelings, the cherished creative partnership she shares with her beloved husband, Jeffrey McDonnell Author, Healer, & Intuitive Guide, and a sneak preview of her upcoming featured appearance at PR From The Heart's Building A Culture Of Reading In Your Classroom 2026 in Portland—plus much more. 👧🏼📖🧸

We encourage you to subscribe to our official YouTube channel and enjoy John's and Dr. Julie's heartfelt conversation—the final trolley stop of PR From The Heart's Summer Reading Season: https://bit.ly/4yVjDxI. 🌞🚋🌞

To our friends and neighbors in Portland: Join us at Barnes & Noble this Saturday, August 8th for Building A Culture Of Reading In Your Classroom 2026—presented in partnership with SMART Reading—featuring Dr. Julie, along with David Newell (the beloved Mr. McFeely on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood), Tony Buttino Sr. (Daytime Emmys Award-Winning Co-Creator of Reading Rainbow), Aron Nels Steinke (Eisner Award-Winning Author & Creator of the Mr. Wolf's Class Graphic Novel Series | published by Scholastic), 12-Year-Old Philanthropist, Shelter Dog Advocate, & Children's Author, Amelie Anastasia, Dr. E. C. Sherman Author, Award-Winning Creator of the Friesian and Friends Series (published by Miriam Laundry), and Julia Kolouch Books, Award-Winning Educator & Children's Author. 📖📚

Seats are limited. Secure your spot now for this landmark children's literacy event, receive a free children’s book courtesy of PR From The Heart, and be entered into a drawing to win one of two $100 Barnes & Noble gift cards: https://bit.ly/4vyqTOv. ⏳

If you're a children's or middle-grade author interested in joining the PR From The Heart family and being featured on The Children's Books Spotlight Series to share your inspiring story and the release of your new book, contact us for more information: https://bit.ly/3qIsx0B. 📲📖💻

Thank you for helping us walk home the children of Portland and our little neighbors around the world. 👦🏿👦🏽👦🏻🙏🏻👧🏻👧🏽

08/04/2026

📚✨ It’s going to be a fun week, and I’d love to see you!

I’ll be celebrating stories, imagination, and the joy of reading at TWO special events this week!

🐶 Wednesday, August 5
⚾ Portland Pickles – Woof Wednesday: Corgi Night!
📍 Walker Stadium
I’ll be joining several wonderful children’s authors and signing copies of:

🌸 Flowers in Grandma’s Garden: A Bailey & Buttons Story
🌹 My Rose-Colored Glasses: A Bailey & Buttons Story

If you’re coming to cheer on the Pickles (or bringing your favorite corgi!), stop by and say hello!

📖 Saturday
PR From the Heart’s Building a Culture of Reading in Your Classroom 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble – Clackamas Town Center
🕚 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Join us for an inspiring day featuring:
✨ Immersive Family Storytime
✨ Interactive Panel Discussions
✨ Wonderful children’s authors and special guests
✨ Book signings and conversations celebrating the love of reading

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, grandparent, or simply someone who believes in the power of books, we’d love to meet you!

I hope to see many familiar faces this week! 💜

07/28/2026

07/22/2026

Every once in a while, two paths that helped shape the childhoods of millions finally cross in the same place—not to celebrate the past, but to inspire what comes next. 🌈💫🚋

And so, we're excited to welcome David Newell, the beloved Mr. McFeely from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and Tony Buttino, the Daytime Emmys Award-Winning Co-Creator of Reading Rainbow, as they co-headline PR From The Heart's Building A Culture Of Reading In Your Classroom 2026—the landmark children's literacy event presented in partnership with SMART Reading, coming to Barnes & Noble at Clackamas Town Center on Saturday, August 8th. ✨📚✨

Serving as our special guest co-host, David will officially kick off the day's festivities (beginning at 11:00 AM) by helping to introduce each of our featured authors during our immersive family storytime experience before returning to the stage as co-moderator of our interactive author panel (starting at 2:00 PM PT). Throughout the afternoon, David will share treasured memories from his years alongside Fred Rogers while leading conversations on helping children navigate big feelings, discover the joy of reading, and recognize their value, voice, and place in the world. 💗

Joining David as part of our panel, Tony will take attendees behind the creation of Reading Rainbow, revisit the defining moments that shaped this iconic series, discuss the continued importance of diversity and representation in children's literature, and explore how families, educators, librarians, and neighborhoods can work together to strengthen a lifelong culture of reading this Back-to-School season and beyond. 🌈

Following the panel, David will be available for photos and autographs, and Tony will be signing copies of his new book, Creating Reading Rainbow: The Untold Story of a Beloved Children's Series (published by Globe Pequot)—creating a rare opportunity to meet the creative forces behind two of the most influential programs in the history of children's television. ✍🏻🤝📸

For one unforgettable day, two extraordinary champions of children's literacy will share one stage, one conversation, and one mission: inspiring today's children—and tomorrow's readers. 🌠

To our friends and neighbors in Portland: Join us for this immersive day of storytelling, connection, and community with David, Tony, and other leading voices in the world of children’s literature—including Aron Nels Steinke, Eisner Award-Winning Author & Creator of the Mr. Wolf's Class Graphic Novel Series (published by Graphix/Scholastic), Amelie Anastasia, the 12-year-old philanthropist behind the forthcoming release Shelter Dogs (published by Little House of Dreams Publishing), Dr. Julie McDonnell Author, Award-Winning Author & Creator of the Bailey and Buttons Series (published by Miriam Laundry), Dr. E. C. Sherman Author, Award-Winning Creator of the Friesian and Friends Series (published by Miriam Laundry), and Julia Kolouch Books, Award-Winning Educator & Children's Author. 📖

Seats are limited. Secure your spot now—and receive a free children's book courtesy of PR From The Heart: https://bit.ly/4vyqTOv. ⏳

Thank you for helping us walk home the children of Portland and our little neighbors across the world. 👦🏿👦🏽👦🏻🙏🏻👧🏻👧🏽👧🏿

07/03/2026

Thank you so much to Diane Ray DePasquale for having me on her podcast. Please check out the episode of Be Present: The Diane Ray Show below and let me know what you think! Also, check out Diane and other amazing hosts at https://www.facebook.com/mindbodyspiritfm.

Just posted a new episode with guest Jeffrey Sean McDonnell
the author of The Power of Prayer. Jeffrey shares an incredible peak experience that was life changing. Listen to the full interview here https://mindbodyspirit.fm/shows/be-present-the-diane-ray-show/