Meet the Team
FeaturedAuthors
Dr. James J. McKenna, PhD
Infant Sleep Science
Dr. James J. McKenna is the author of Safe Infant Sleep which has sold over twenty-five thousand copies world-wide and showcases his world-renowned work as the leading scientific authority on mother-infant co-sleeping. The book was honored by the National Health Information Awards and was a finalist among five award honors and distinctions overall. As a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, he received the American Anthropological Association’s Anthropology in Media Award for translating biological science into public health knowledge. He pioneered laboratory research on parent-infant sleep behavior at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine and has published over 139 peer-reviewed articles. His work continues to serve as a key reference for pediatricians.
Endorsed by Kourtney Kardashian: "I still love reading/listening to more safe co-sleeping tips and hearing about the benefits" – Kourtney Kardashian, writing over a screenshot from the Audiobook Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers to Your Cosleeping Questions

Dr. Donna Jo Napoli, PhD
Linguistics & Children’s Literature
Donna Jo Napoli is a celebrated linguist, scholar, and award-winning author of over eighty titles that have received over thirty-five national and state awards and honors. A prolific best-seller across multiple genres, Napoli’s work with Science, Naturally! includes Mara Plants a Seed, which won first place in the Green Book Awards. She is also the recipient of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and the Golden Kite Award. Donna Jo is co-director of RiseVideoBooks.org, a project that creates free bimodal-bilingual videobooks to share with deaf children in dozens of countries. As a Fellow of the Linguistic Society of America, she earned her Ph.D. from Harvard University, a postdoctoral year at MIT, and serves as a Professor of Linguistics and Social Justice at Swarthmore College. She brings a rich understanding of language, history, and science to young readers, turning complex ideas into accessible, memorable stories that cultivate empathy and curiosity.

Debra Kim Wolf, Esq
Conservation & Environment
Debra Kim Wolf is a conservation attorney, environmental advocate, and founder of One Little Earth, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting youth with nature. Her debut picture book, A Family for Zoya: The True Story of an Endangered Cub brings real-world animal conservation stories to children, and was named Recommended Reading in the Green Book Awards, inspiring the next generation of planet protectors . An alumna of Brown University and Georgetown University Law Center, Debra has spent decades protecting natural habitats, managing land conservancies, and serving Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park Commission—work that earned her a lifetime achievement honor in conservation. She continues this mission by writing picture books that foster environmental stewardship and respect for wildlife.

Guy Brown
Meteorology & Weather Education
Guy Brown is an award-winning broadcast meteorologist for Spectrum News NY1 in New York City. His award-winning book Look Up to See What the Weather Will Be was a National Finalist honoree that empowers kids to observe the sky, understand changing weather patterns, and appreciate meteorology in their daily lives. Holding the Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association and advanced credentials in Operational Meteorology from Mississippi State University, Guy’s forecasting career spans diverse microclimates across the United States—from Western blizzards to severe Midwest storms. Dedicated to weather education and community safety, he transfers atmospheric science into fun, practical learning for children.

Mary Wissinger
STEM for Early Readers
Mary Wissinger is the award-winning author behind the bestselling Science Wide Open (a six-book series), My First Science Textbook series, and Talking Science, whose books have earned honors including the Mathical Honor Book Award and the Eureka! Children’s Nonfiction Silver Honor for making science engaging, inclusive, and empowering. An author, educator, and podcast host with a Master’s Degree in Teaching and over 16 years of classroom experience, Mary introduces young readers to foundational concepts in chemistry, biology, physics, and the lives of pioneering female scientists. Dedicated to storytelling that sparks curiosity and emotional connection, she translates complex STEM concepts into inviting narratives for early readers.

Dr. Noureddine Melikechi, PhD
Physics & Space Science
Dr. Noureddine Melikechi is a distinguished atomic, molecular, and optical physicist, inventor, and educator. His book How Do You See the World? invites young minds to explore the science of light, optics, perception, and won the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book Award and the Reader Views Literary Award. He serves as Interim Provost, Vice Chancellor, and Dean of the Kennedy College of Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. As a Fellow of Optica, the American Physical Society, and the AAAS, his research spans early cancer detection using optical spectroscopy and analysis of Martian soil. As a key member on NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover mission, his role earned him recognition as Delaware’s “Ambassador to Mars” and a NASA Group Achievement Award. He inspires the next generation of scientists to ask big questions about how we view the universe.

Dr. David L. Hu, PhD
Biology & Engineering
Dr. David L. Hu is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Biology and Adjunct Professor of Physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He authored The P Word: A Manual for Mammals, an engaging pre-puberty guide that uses fascination with animal biology, comparative mammal facts, and straightforward science to normalize anatomical health and hygiene for young readers—a book that won the Academics’ Choice Smart Book Award. An alumnus of MIT (B.S. and Ph.D.), Dr. Hu is a recipient of the prestigious NSF CAREER Award and a two-time Ig Nobel Prize winner, with pioneering research focused on animal locomotion, fluid dynamics, and biomimicry—exploring how creatures swim, walk on water, and interact with physical forces. His scientific discoveries regularly make international headlines for translating biological principles into real-world technological and robotic innovations, bridging advanced research with accessible, lighthearted education that empowers kids to understand their own bodies through the lens of natural science.

Dr. Judy Staveley, EdD
Biotechnology & STEM Education
Dr. Judy Staveley is a nationally recognized leader in biotechnology, molecular biology, public health, and STEM education who excels at translating high-level scientific research into engaging content for future innovators. Her book, C is for Crime Scene: A Forensics A to Z Book, aligns with her lifelong advocacy for STEM literacy and hands-on discovery and was named a Teacher’s Favorite by the Children’s Book Council. As CEO of STAVETECH Innovations and former President of the Washington Academy of Sciences, her career bridges national security, medical preparedness, and scientific workforce development with five consecutive Presidential Award nominations for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, Engineering Mentoring (2020–2024) reflecting her commitment to mentoring women, underserved students, and military families. Her work inspires young minds to explore complex biological and environmental concepts while building confidence in scientific inquiry.


















