About Us
Maria Luisa Salcines is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in newspapers and magazines. She is the author of Little Things Remembered, a collection of stories on love, parenting, and cultural identity. Maria Luisa and her daughter co-wrote You Can Do It, Chickadee, an award-winning children's book about depression. Her essay about her experience as a Cuban-American were published in The Cuban American Family Album. The series published by Oxford Press describes the heroic stories of American immigrant groups. She is a contributing writer for the New York Times best-selling series Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul where three of her stories were published and Chicken Soup for Mom’s know Best. Maria Luisa is co-author of Maggie's Visit to the Playroom, Play Time for Molly, Matt's in Trouble Again, and Matt Otra Vez en Problemas. These children's books are on play therapy, filial therapy, and school counseling. She is a certified parent educator and parent coach with The Academy of Parenting Education and Coaching in Redirecting Children's Behavior and Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom. She is also a Parent Instructor Trainer and can certify individuals interested in teaching the Redirecting Children’s Behavior course.
Maelia is a model and a professional make-up artist who travels the U.S. working in pageants and events. She graduated from South Texas College with an Associate of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education. She is the co-author of You Can Do It, Chickadee, an award-winning children’s book about depression. She is co-founder of Mental Monarchs Inc., a nonprofit organization and blog dedicated to spreading awareness and knowledge to end the stigma of mental illness. Maelia is Miss Grand Paraguay 2023, Miss Universe Paraguay Queen of the Public 2022, Miss Texas USA 3rd runner up 2021, and Miss Congeniality. Her passion is speaking and writing about mental illness.
awards
Mom's Choice Award Gold Award Recipient
Purple Dragon Fly Book Award
Family Matters, School Issues, Picture Book 6 & Older
Moonbeam Children's Book Award
Silver Medal Winner - Health Issues
Story Monster Approved Winner
Health & Wellness & Early Readers (5-9) Fiction