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