As a youngster I was in love with books that let my imagination soar. At nine years old, I was convinced that A Wrinkle in Time was the best book I had ever read! To get under bedcovers with a flashlight and read was a joyful experience. Thousands of books later, I still exult in reading and Won Ton is meant to reach out to a new generation of children eager to learn by turning the pages of a book.

After all, as Jhumpa Lahiri has written, "That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet."

In addition, as a teacher of literature, I want to engage students who may have speech challenges with something more than a workbook. They need to enjoy what they read as they seamlessly integrate articulation and enunciation speech correction through intriguing story telling.

I was inspired to write Won Ton is Not Now Backwards as a result of my Dad's silly humor. He gave the sparkle to a day's events with his corny jokes and ability to create fun even when the world might be challenging.

Over the years I have worn many "hats" but one that I am particularly proud of is raising awareness throughout New Jersey about childhood apraxia of speech, a challenging speech disorder that affects one in 1,000 children. Because of my outreach, a proclamation was created citing May 14, 2023 as Apraxia Awareness Day. Much work is needed to give children a "voice."

If I can reach even one child and something magical happens, it will be a success. If a youngster can envisage an escapade based on the Won Ton stories, I will be thrilled. If a child is motivated to believe in his or her own verbal success, it will be a victory.