• M.Phil.Ed, LPC

    Melanie earned her B.A. in Psychology and Criminology from the University of Maryland and completed her graduate work in Human Development and Psychology and Counseling and Mental Health Services at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania. Melanie works as a primary school counselor in New Jersey and runs Level Up Counseling & Consulting, LLC, a private mental health practice. She and her husband, Evan, love to share the world of children's literature with their two children, Zachary and Zoey.

  • Ralph Pacifico is a long time physical education instructor and high school baseball coach. His passion for activity and sports has been impacting students for over 30 years. Like our main character, Ralph has a ton of energy and always finds sitting still difficult. Ralph has been married to Amy for 31 years. Together they have raised three daughters, Paige, Emma and Geena.

A physical education teacher and a school counselor who share a passion for helping children join to celebrate a student whose brain works a little differently than most. They created Aaron to highlight the realities of the school day for children with lagging skills and the endless potential that each of those children possesses.