a little about me

I'm a mission-driven writer and editor with 20 years of experience in children's and educational publishing. I became a parent in 2012, and I’ve grown my focus to helping parents, especially mothers, get the support and information they need. I love manatees, Mallomars, reading, and watching television—both with and without my kids!  

When I graduated from New York University, I wanted to maximize the power of media in a fun and engaging way. So I was thrilled when I got a job at Sesame Street Magazine writing dialogue for Grover, poems about the number 4, and facts about manatees. It combined three of my favorite things (no Mallomars) and immersed kids in a kind, curious, diverse, and joyful community of Muppets.

My mission since then has been focused on nurturing a love of learning, reading, and making the world better through creating content that is entertaining, developmentally-targeted, and teaches critical skills. Over the years, my roles have included writing and editing licensed books based on television and toy properties for companies such as Scholastic, Mattel, and Penguin Random House as well as classroom literacy materials for McGraw-Hill and other educational publishers.

Through my work-life and my parenting life, I realize that there is a strong and crucial connection between parents/caregivers and children. I’m committed to revolutionizing support for mothers and fathers and amplifying the need to value physical, mental, social, and emotional health for all members in a family. When parents are well-supported, kids are well-supported, and that leads to kind, diverse, and joyful communities just like the one on Sesame Street.

My recent projects include social and racial justice work for Sesame Street in Communities and a children’s book on cultivating joy in small ways every day. I have a new book coming out in November 2023! I hope to continue joyful work for children, teachers, and parents in my own small ways every day. Thanks for reading!

— Joanne Ruelos Diaz