Ep. 101: Ella's Way — How One Children's Book Sparked a Kindness Movement

One Purple Starfish, One Big Idea: How Sherry Cerino Turned a Children’s Book into a Movement

What started as one author’s dream to write a children’s book about acceptance has grown into a thriving nonprofit that supports dozens of authors and reaches thousands of kids. In Episode 101 of Adventures in the Heart of Children’s Book Authors, Sherry Cerino, author and founder of Ella’s Way, shares how Ella and the All Stars became the foundation for something much bigger, and why storytelling may be the most powerful tool we have for teaching kindness.

Meet Ella, the Purple Starfish

Sherry’s nursing background and lifelong love of storytelling led her to write Ella and the All Stars, her debut book, published in 2013. Ella is a purple starfish who navigates a colorful underwater world full of unusual sea creatures: a one-clawed lobster, a seahorse with an eye patch, a trumpet fish, and more.

There are hidden layers in the story, too. Ella is biracial. Her parents are blue and red, which makes her purple. Even her name carries the mission: ELLA stands for Early Learning Leads to Accept. Schools and families responded to that message of acceptance and kindness right away.

From Solo Author to Nonprofit Founder

Sherry began the way many children’s authors do, with school readings and book order forms. The turning point came when a blind gentleman gave a presentation that inspired her to transform Ella’s Way from an LLC into a nonprofit in 2016.

As Sherry puts it, “If you want to really go with this thing, you need to be fearless and develop it into a nonprofit, because then you’re eligible for grants and donations.”

Grants and donations changed everything. They allowed her to gift books to schools and expand her reach well beyond what a solo author could manage.

The Pandemic Surprise

Sherry told me the pandemic became an unexpected catalyst. With in-person events on hold, she had to think creatively about her mission. She reached out on social media and found dozens of like-minded authors with their own powerful stories, including books about autism, disabilities, diverse family structures, and lived experiences.

“Everyone was so excited,” she recalls. Many were first-time authors who each had a book that mattered deeply to them. Together they decided to expand Ella’s Way to include all of them. Today the network holds quarterly meetings and collaborates on projects that lift up the whole author community.

Her philosophy is simple: “If your mission is to spread kindness, the more the merrier.”

The Business Side of Children’s Books

Sherry also shared practical insights for authors:
School visits work. They get books into kids’ hands and generate revenue.
Series build momentum. Sherry now has five children’s books, and each new release gives her a reason to be invited back to schools. Community multiplies reach. Ella’s Way gives authors a platform to connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Why Diversity in Children’s Literature Matters

The growing children’s book market is being fueled by diversity and inclusion. Authors are writing their own lived experiences, and kids need to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Sherry’s advice to authors with a story to tell is encouraging: “There’s lots of us out there that may be part of your tribe and you didn’t even know that.”

Key Takeaways

One book can change everything. Ella and the All Stars became the foundation for a nonprofit mission touching thousands of lives.

Community amplifies impact. Opening Ella’s Way to other authors didn’t dilute Sherry’s focus. It multiplied it.

Your lived experience is your superpower. Authenticity resonates with young readers and their families.

Storytelling teaches what lectures can’t. Literature is one of the best tools we have for teaching empathy, acceptance, and kindness.

There’s a market for your story. If you have something to say, there are kids and families waiting to hear it.

For Aspiring Authors

If you’re thinking about writing a children’s book, Sherry’s journey offers a roadmap:
Start with your why. What message do you want to share? What experience do you want kids to understand?

Treat school visits as connection, not just marketing. They build community and generate revenue.
Expand your series. If your first book resonates, ask what other stories your characters or world can tell.

Find your people. Look for author communities with similar missions.
Write from your truth. Kids need to see themselves in stories, and authentic lived experience matters.

Learn More

Visit Ella’s Way to explore the organization, meet member authors, and learn about book donations and school programs.

Several Ella’s Way authors have also been guests on the podcast, and their episodes are worth a listen: Carmel Alexander, Catherine Clark Felts, Stenetta Anthony, Noel Foy, and Ralph Tufo.

Why This Episode Matters

Sherry Cerino’s story is a reminder that one person with a vision and a story can spark real change. Ella’s Way isn’t just a nonprofit. It’s a movement, and it all started with a purple starfish and a simple belief that kindness matters.

Whether you’re an aspiring author, an educator looking for inclusive books, or someone who believes in the power of storytelling, this episode will inspire you to think bigger about what’s possible.

Listen to Episode 101 on your favorite podcast platform. Then tell us what resonated with you in the comments, or reach out to Ella’s Way directly. Let’s spread kindness together, one story at a time.