I am a self-published children’s book and non-fiction book author, former juvenile court judge, life long child advocate, college educator and most importantly, adoptive mother.
Sweet Harmony Montgomery should still be alive. But now she is the face of homicide and her death has left her half-brother Jamison, adopted by two loving dads, grieving the loss of the sister he loved so much. And while Jamison often tells his dads, “I wish she wouldn’t have died,” he is unaware of the public outrage and controversy swirling around the circumstances of her death. When a court in Massachusetts granted custody of Harmony to her violent and dangerous father who was living in New Hampshire, Harmony’s tragic fate was sealed and the cover-up began.
One summer day when I was a practicing attorney, I was at the adoption agency that I represented, and saw an adoption recruitment video from the agency’s Russian program. I saw these tiny tots in the orphanage who had been freed for international adoption and who were waiting for permanent homes. I just couldn’t get the children in that video out of my mind. Several months later, my husband and I were on a plane to Moscow where we adopted Nick. Two year later, we traveled back to southern Russia to adopt Max. When Nick and Max were little, we wrote our scary stories together and that’s how The Scary Cloud Monster was born.
Sharing a tradition that was started with my children is now shared through my very own Kid Hero Books series with others. The Kid Hero Books stories are designed to show all kids that they can overcome real life scary moments using their talents, skills and abilities. But most of all, the stories are fun and exciting for a young age group that loves a “scary story” where ordinary kids can be heroes.
I am passionate about teaching and listening to the views of those I have had the privilege to teach. I have taught in colleges, lectured at conferences for judges, lawyers, law enforcement professionals, teachers, as well as clinicians, and proudly served as a mentor for the Massachusetts Juvenile Court.
I served as a juvenile court judge in central Massachusetts for twenty years, recently retiring in 2023. During my years as a judge and a lawyer working to protect children who were abused and neglected, I heard the compelling stories of thousands of children who came from many different walks of life. Understanding that so many children, especially abused and neglected children in foster care, need to be told that they are bright, talented, and capable of overcoming the difficult challenges of their lives using their skills and education, helped inspire Kid Hero Books.
I am proud and grateful for the recognition
by these wonderful organizations
