ParentCamp is fortunate to have a number of dedicated friends who are authors of books on a range of topics, from education, to financial basics for children, to personal growth, to sports. There is something for just about everyone in this group. It’s not too late to order one or two (or more) of these books for a friend or family member for holiday gifts, though the books make great gifts for any occasion: New Year, birthday, graduation, Arbor Day, Summer Solstice…you get the idea.
As the CEO of Kid Champions Consulting, Laura champions teacher agency and aims to humanize and revolutionize teaching and learning environments, both in-person and virtual. Her extensive teaching career includes recognition as a MO State Teacher of the Year Finalist and recipient of the Christa McAuliffe Pioneer in Education Award.
Laura envisions transforming family-school-community dynamics through innovative models and systems, aiming for children to thrive within deeply connected ecosystems. Residing in Kansas City with her husband and three lively chihuahuas, Laura is not just an educator but also a dedicated Kansas City Chiefs fan.
Laura contributed a chapter to the book Education Write Now, Volume II: Top Strategies for Improving Relationships and Culture (Eye on Education) which is available for purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Education-Write-Now-Strategies-Relationships/dp/1138338974
Jay Posick
Jay co-authored Principals In Action: Redefining the Role, available here: https://www.amazon.com/Principals-Action-Redefining-Jay-Posick-ebook/dp/B07Y322X7D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1S63D59H3OS60&keywords=jay+posick&qid=1702651772&s=books&sprefix=jay+posick%2Cstripbooks%2C137&sr=1-1
Cam F Awesome
With a unique brand of humor and transparency, Cam has become a sought-after motivational speaker in both academic and business settings. Sharing scenes from his colorful life, he engages audiences and readers with some unique lessons:
- How to come back from a catastrophe—even one that costs your dreams and livelihood.
- How a fool-proof equation can help you develop goals and keep focused on them.
- Why itʼs vital to chase after failure rather than avoiding it.
- Why humility may not be all itʼs cracked up to be.
- How to balance the importance of having a Plan B with the motivation of desperation.
- How to develop healthy social media habits (no, healthy and social media are not oxymorons).
- How to be your own biggest fan!
Unlike other books that urge you to put the phone down and concentrate, your phone is a vital part of processing Cam’s messages. QR codes throughout lead to videos, news stories, and personal messages from the author, and interactive worksheets help you put his advice into practice.
Becoming Awesome: How to Make Success Inevitable https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Awesome-Make-Success-Inevitable/dp/B0CP6QS84Z/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2QUJAONTTGEXS&keywords=becoming+awesome+book&qid=1702649318&sprefix=cbecomong+awesome%2Caps%2C611&sr=8-4
Autographed copies: https://camfawesome.com/shop/
Allan Shedlin
Allan Shedlin, a dedicated father to three daughters, a “bonus son,” and a grandfather to five grandchildren and three “bonus grandchildren,” boasts a remarkable career in education and child advocacy. With degrees from Colgate University, Columbia University Teachers College, and Fordham, he cherishes his role as a father above all.
Throughout his career, Allan has served in pivotal roles, advising the US Secretary of Education, state superintendents, and the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships. His leadership spans local, state, and national levels, marked by his contributions to education and parenting issues in both popular and professional publications.
Focused on parental involvement, particularly with fathers and grandfathers, Shedlin’s extensive qualitative research spans over 20 countries and diverse age groups. He’s founded and led various education and family-focused organizations, including DADvocacy Consulting Group (DCG), where he conducts programs, workshops, coaching sessions, and speaking engagements to support dads and father figures. Based in the Washington, DC area, Allan continues to write and advocate for diverse parenting topics through DCG.
Alan is the author of The Freedom of Limits, available: https://www.dadvocacyconsultinggroup.com/product-page/the-freedom-of-limits-revised-3rd-printing
Duncan Kirkwood
Driven by a passion for aiding others in overcoming adversity, Duncan transitioned into motivational speaking and personal development. His book, Rerouting: Resilience Tools and Tactics, offers practical guidance and has empowered countless individuals worldwide to navigate life’s challenges. Praised for its inspirational content, the book has been instrumental in fostering resilience and goal achievement.
Acknowledged for his contributions, Duncan received the National Policy Innovators in Education “Game Changers Award” for his outstanding work in education and personal development. Currently, as the Director of the Center for Resiliency at Villa Maria College, he continues to empower individuals and communities, helping them fortify resilience and reach their aspirations.
Rerouting: Resilience Tools and Tactics available here: https://www.amazon.com/Rerouting-Resilience-Tactics-Duncan-Kirkwood-ebook/dp/B085XTX5RC?ref_=ast_author_dp
Phyl Macomber
Phyl has created a simple 4-step system for how to teach anything to anyone, called T.H.E. P.A.C.T., which is outlined in Phyl’s first book, The Power of T.H.E. P.A.C.T. Since the framework’s inception in 2009, her research-based teaching strategies have been published in numerous articles featured in education publications. T.H.E. P.A.C.T. is being successfully used across North America, in both the United States and Canada, and in parts of Australia, England, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and various countries in Africa.
The Power of T.H.E. P.A.C.T. is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Power-T-H-P-C-T-Curriculum/dp/0984440178/ref=sr_1_2?crid=BDLU1VQV2M0A&keywords=Phyl+Macomber&qid=1702650733&s=books&sprefix=phyl+macomber%2Cstripbooks%2C192&sr=1-2
Phyl is also the author of Every Child Can Learn: Your Roadmap to Inclusive Education: https://www.amazon.com/Every-Child-Can-Learn-Inclusive-ebook/dp/B08W1PV57T/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BDLU1VQV2M0A&keywords=Phyl+Macomber&qid=1702650733&s=books&sprefix=phyl+macomber%2Cstripbooks%2C192&sr=1-1
Lisa Anna Palmer
Starting her career at PwC and serving federal employers like Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation and the Royal Canadian Mint, Lisa founded Cattelan Palmer Consulting in 2011, becoming an advocate for empowering work experiences. Her passion for compassionate leadership drives her dedication to advancing competent and courageous leaders globally. She believes authentic connection defines exceptional leadership, rallying a community through Light Your Leadership to propagate this vision globally. Lisa also proudly supports the “She Did It!” Movement, aiming to enhance workplace experiences for better lives worldwide.
Lisa’s book, Light A Fire In Their Hearts: The Truth About Leadership, is available through her website: https://lightyourleadership.com/
Dan Bisig
For many years, the CEO of College and Beyond LLC, Dan Bisig, has been providing timely advice to parents and students about college scholarships, career identification, college selection, application and essay review, college admissions timelines, test prep, college funding and much more.
Families are confronted with many decisions: How do test scores, GPA, extra-curricular activities and athletics, just to name a few, factor into the selection process? How do you find scholarships? What college to choose – public or private, highly competitive or a more relaxed environment? What major or career should the student select? And the BIG question, how are you going to pay for your child’s dream college?
College applications, essays, and financial aid forms must be completed in a timely fashion. Dan helps students and parents navigate their way through every aspect of the college process. He wants each of his families to see their son or daughter attend the right college, at the right price, pursue the right major and graduate right on time!
Dan’s book, The College Entrance Game Plan, is available here: https://www.amazon.com/College-Entrance-Game-Plan-Comprehensive/dp/0983194130
Melody McAllister
Melody is the author of I’m Sorry Story and a contributor to The Fire Within: Lessons from defeat that have ignited a passion for learning.
Both books available here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Melody%20McAllister/author/B0844ZZ41M
Mirsada Kadiric
Mirsada Kadiric arrived in the United States in 1998. After a few brief stints living in Ohio, she is back to calling home the state that initially welcomed her to this country, Kentucky. She obtained her bachelor of science in marketing in 2004 and went back to Northern Kentucky University for her masters in business administration, which she completed in 2009. NKU continues to be near and dear to her heart, and in 2012 she was recognized as NKU Outstanding Young Researcher of the Decade (thanks to her mentor, Dr. Levin). She is currently employed at Kao USA, Inc. as a senior manager of market research for the global John Frieda brand. She and her boss have a running joke that they’re helping save the world one shampoo at a time. In her free time, Mirsada loves to explore the world, checking off cities and countries on her long travel wish list. She still makes time to visit Switzerland at least once every year to see her grandmother, who still resides there. Her mother lives within a ten-minute drive from her, and Mirsada couldn’t be happier about that. A good homemade Bosnian meal will brighten any bad day.
I Am a Refugee is a moving, personal story of a harrowing childhood journey in 1992 from war-torn Bosnia to Western Europe and finally to the United States. The suddenness with which life went from normal and happy to a terrifying nightmare no one could have anticipated is both heartbreaking and sobering. Refugees have been so much in the news recently, and this book helps bring their plight home in a way that cold facts never could. You may purchase I Am a Refugee on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Am-Refugee-Finding-Again-America/dp/1983932019
Kris Jenkins
Kris Jenkins received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education and a minor in Music Education. She obtained her Masters of Arts in Education from Baker University. Kris is also the author of Teamwork Makes the Dream Work, a book she has written based on her forty years of teaching experience, primarily at the Early Childhood level. Kris is a full-day. At-Risk preschool teacher for the Topeka Public School system, as well as the building’s Family Engagement Coordinator.
Sheila Bair
Ms. Bair has had a long and distinguished career in government, academia, and finance. She is perhaps best known as Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) from 2006 to 2011, when she steered the agency through the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. For her leadership of the FDIC, she received the JFK Library’s Profiles in Courage Award and was twice named by Forbes Magazine as the second most powerful woman in the world. A former finance professor and college president, Ms. Bair has been nationally recognized for her innovative initiatives to make college more accessible and affordable. She is a frequent commentator and op-ed contributor on financial regulation and the student debt crisis, as well as author of Bull by the Horns (Simon & Schuster, 2012) her memoir of the financial crisis, which made the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post bestseller lists.
Her books are available here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sheila-Bair/author/B001JSDPX6?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Dennis Mathew
For over 20 years Dennis has had the joy and honor of working with children in public schools and through non profit work. In 2018, he launched his authorship, bringing children’s stories integrating social emotional wholeness, language enrichment, critical thinking, conflict resolution and character development to life. His published works so far are Bello the Cello, My Wild First Day of School and How Grizzly Found Gratitude.
He is also a singer-songwriter with a published music album for schools called, The Let’s Roar Experience. Through his books and music Dennis has reached tens of thousands of students worldwide since 2018.
You can purchase Dennis’ books on his website: https://booksbydennis.com/shop/
Joel Katte
Joel is an experienced secondary English teacher, elementary school principal and alternative schools administrator who has served students of all ages in both urban and rural settings. He has served the most at-promise students as well as the most gifted.
Joel is the author of such books as Finding You at the Zoo, University of Kentucky Wildcats Basketball IQ: The Ultimate Test of True Fandom, Kentucky Derby IQ: The Ultimate Test of True Fandom, Green Bay Packers IQ: The Ultimate Test of True Fandom, St. Louis Cardinals IQ: The Ultimate Test of True Fandom (Volume I) & Milwaukee Brewers IQ: The Ultimate Test of True Fandom.
Joel’s books are available for order here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joel-Katte/author/B003F94TTG?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
We apologize if we have missed any of our friends from this list, please e-mail Tim Herrmann so that he can add you and the link to your book.
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