Melissa Finkelstein is an attorney-turned-children’s book author who lives with her husband and three children in Bergen County. A poet since childhood, she always dreamed of writing children’s books, and her dreams recently came to fruition when she published “Picky the Panda and the Tickly Tail.” The book, her first, features important lessons on embracing sensory challenges, leading with empathy, and listening to your own needs. It tells the tale of sensory-sensitive children (through the eyes of a highly sensitive panda) and how they cope and recharge in different settings.
“Picky the Panda” was inspired by the author’s 4-year-old daughter Skylar, who has sensory processing disorder. SPD is a neurological condition that interferes with the body’s ability to receive and respond to sensory information, thus making it difficult to turn those messages into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. Finkelstein said that sensory-sensitive children like her daughter often have difficulty coping with the chaos, sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season. When asked about her advice to help sensory-sensitive children cope with these hectic times, she suggested that families “stick to their usual routine as much as possible, avoid crowds, create a calm place to retreat to for sensory breaks, and honor your child’s limits. When they seem to be getting overtired or dysregulated, it is likely time to call it a day.”
While Finkelstein’s daughter attends occupational therapy and has a prescribed sensory plan as well as certain tools the family has acquired over the years, she was unable to find a book that validated her daughter’s experiences, so she took matters into her own hands. She hopes her book “will help children with sensory challenges (and their families) feel special and supported and help their classmates, siblings and peers feel empathetic toward their needs.”
“Picky the Panda” is available for purchase on Amazon as well as in New Jersey stores, Bookends, Ave Lumi and Tons of Toys.
Finkelstein has two other forthcoming books (each inspired by her other two children), which she expects to release in 2023. Her next release in early 2023 will be “Bobby the Snake and the Broken TV,” inspired by Finkelstein’s 7-year-old son. “Bobby the Snake” shares messages that most families can relate to, encouraging children to turn off the screens (TV, iPad, smartphones) and recharge through nature. Finkelstein plans to release her third book, “Squeaky Kiki,” in the second half of 2023. “Squeaky Kiki,” inspired by Finkelstein’s 4-year-old daughter (and Skylar’s twin), is a story about a mild-mannered bunny who goes with the flow until her animal friends cross the line, whereupon she learns to advocate for herself in a rather squeaky way. Each of the author’s books contains themes of mindfulness and recharging using different strategies.
In addition to supporting children through her stories, Finkelstein has donated dozens of books to local children’s hospitals, schools, libraries and organizations. She has also volunteered her time to share her story with several local schools and libraries. We’re thrilled to support her in return!
