Katherine Magnoli, a Sunny Isles Beach resident who became known for her series of books called The Adventures of KatGirl about a superhero in a wheelchair who helps kids who are being bullied, has a new book out called Pete the Private Eye.
Magnoli writes books in order to educate children on acceptance for people with disabilities. Born with a birth defect that has affected her spine but not her mind, she has lived the last 35 years viewing the world from her wheelchair.
This unique perspective, coupled with many trials and tribulations, has given her special insight to write children’s books that tackle the difficult topic of disability. She does this by using a unique mix of her life experience and vivid imagination to both educate and entertain her audience on the diverse abilities we all have.
Her Adventures of KatGirl books received great reviews and Magnoli has worked diligently during the past decade to promote her stories to thousands of children of all age groups in schools and at special events. Her new book is a collection of short story mysteries, titled Pete the Private Eye, about a boy living with blindness who uses his cane and the language of Braille to help him solve mysteries.
“These stories will not only teach your child about the ways a person living with blindness lives each day but will entertain them with fun-filled stories that will take them on an adventure with every page turn, never really letting them know what is truly happening until the very end of the book,” Magnoli said. “What inspired me was the fact I want to advocate for all disabilities, not just those with mobility issues.”
Magnoli researched Braille to be able to write the new book. The illustrator is Kris Napper, a Seattle Washington artist with muscular dystrophy who started his own graphic design company.
“I was introduced to him through social media by a girl I did Ms. Wheelchair America with,” Magnoli said. “Her name is Kyann Flynn. She is Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2017.”
The Adventures of KatGirl books are available through Amazon.com and the new book likely will be there soon. For information or autographed copies contact the author Katherine Magnoli at katmagnoli@gmail.com or call 305-931-0759.
