Our COVID-19 Response
As a former teacher, I know the value in using children’s literature to teach difficult topics.
Connecting through modern day stories allows children to learn valuable lessons and concepts they can apply to their own lives! I am here to help children learn to be good humans and to support parents and teachers in this mission!
How We Build Character

Speaker
Maria speaks around the world and virtually to children, teachers, schools and parents on character, empathy, bullying, making an impact, diversity and more.

Sunny Side School
Join Maria in her virtual classroom weekly to learn social skills, kindness, confidence and other essential character traits for 30-minute live lessons that are interactive for kids grades K-3.

Books
Maria uses her ten internationally loved children’s books to inspire and educate children in homes and classrooms.




It's hard Being a kid in today's world.
There have been so many unknowns, and the place where most of our children learn to cope with these less than ideal circumstances–school–hasn’t been a consistent option.
Now more than ever, our children need to be taught essential emotional skills. Over the last decade, we have seen a major decrease in integrity and accountability in our nation. In order to raise the next generation of leaders, educators, physicians, moms, dads, etc. we need to be intentional in teaching social emotional learning.


Join Sunny Side School
When Maria’s children’s school was closed during COVID, she began Sunny Side School as a way to offer positivity and to teach coping mechanisms to children across the country. In just two lessons a week, children connect through diverse children’s books, dynamic demonstrations, with a space to share their own experiences!

Meet Maria
She’s an author, publisher & speaker who writes books that encourage & inspire. She also publishes picture books as the founder and CEO of Cardinal Rule Press.
Learn More
Get the Latest From Maria

Get Character Tips on the Go
Empowering Kids With Character is a podcast for parents and FlipGrid connections for kids! Both filled with stories and hacks to helping grown-ups and kids to live their best lives!