MARCH 3 • 2022 | 43

ARTS&LIFE
BOOKS

E

xcitement is in the air after the 
release of the new children’s book 
by Michigan author Lori Ellis. 
The new book, titled Ryan’s Magical Shoes, 
was inspired by her parents who were 
Holocaust survivors. Ellis said the story 
teaches young children about diversity and 
acceptance. 
Born and raised in Detroit, Ellis now 
lives in West Bloomfield with her husband, 
Jeff. She holds a master’s degree in speech 
and language pathology and worked for 36 
years in two school districts before retiring. 
Following her retirement, Ellis said this 
new children’s book gives her a wonderful 
sense of accomplishment. “It helps me feel 
that I am still productive,” she said. 
Ellis said her parents taught her to treat 
everyone equally, and she believes passing 
that onto younger generations is import-
ant. 
“Everyone has individual differences 
and is a unique human being. We need to 
acknowledge everyone’s differences and 
value the diversity. If this is taught at a 
young age, then hopefully it can carry over 
into friendships, schools, people’s work 
environments, prevent future genocides 
and encourage world peace,” Ellis said. 
The story revolves around the main 
character Ryan who received magical shoes 
for his birthday. These shoes teleport him 
to different countries, and he meets new 

friends along the way. Ryan, who’s from 
the U.S., makes friends from South Africa, 
Bangkok, Thailand, Shanghai and China. 
Ellis said the boys create special 
friendships while meeting their families 
and playing together. She hopes her 
story teaches young children to accept 
differences in others and learn a valuable 
lesson. 
“
Accept diversity and find the similarities 
that we all share, even if we come from 
different countries, speak in different 
languages or dialects, have different skin 
colors or observe different religions. Let’s 
embrace it all and consider ourselves 
friends.” 
Ellis said her goal is to continue to 
educate others on the dangers of prejudice, 
hatred, bullying and antisemitism so the 
tragic parts of history will not repeat itself. 
“People are not all the same because 
we come from different countries with 
different cultures and values, but you can 
embrace those differences and still be 

friends,” she said. 
Prior to writing Ryan’s Magical Shoes, 
Ellis’ passion for doing genealogy research 
led her to write the book 4,456 Miles: A 
Survivor’s Search for Closure. The book 
chronicles her mother’s life as a Holocaust 
survivor and takes people on a journey 
back to Poland. 
She also co-authored Laughing While 
Learning: Using humor in the classroom as well 
as a speech and language assessment called 
Comprehensive Communication Profiles. 
She is now working with a colleague 
on a children’s book emphasizing speech 
and language challenges that will provide 
therapeutic tips. 
Ellis released Ryan’s Magical Shoes in 
January and said she already received 
overwhelming positive support from 
friends, family and past colleagues and is 
humbled by their kind words. 

Ryan’s Magical Shoes it is now available on Amazon: 

www.amazon.com/gp/product/1088021263

Local author writes children’s book about 
diversity and acceptance. 

New Children’s 
Book Inspired by 
Holocaust Survivors 

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR 

Lori Ellis

