The World of Sam Caruso
The children’s books grew from the same place as the memoir: memory. Long before I thought of myself as a writer, I carried images of my childhood—time spent with grandparents, family rituals, and the quiet reassurance of being cared for.
Writing for young readers allowed me to return to that earlier way of seeing the world, when curiosity came naturally and meaning revealed itself through small moments. Though written for children, these stories often resonate just as strongly with adults who recognize the world they reflect.
Nonno's Pocket Watch
This is the story of Sam Caruso, a boy growing up in post WWII Los Angeles. "Nonno's Pocket Watch" tells the story of a lesson Sam learns from his grandfather about friendship.