Susan Schaefer Bernardo and Courtenay Fletcher

Susan Schaefer Bernardo and illustrator Courtenay Fletcher met when their kids were babies – now they are a dynamic California-based duo creating and publishing award-winning books to heal and inspire children of all ages! A trip to Paris and a serendipitous discovery inspired their book The Artist Who Loved Cats: The Inspiring Tale of Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen, a lyrical picture book biography of the artist who created the iconic Le Chat Noir French cabaret posters. The book received a Gold Parents’ Choice Award, Foreword Reviews Silver medal and the SCBWI Spark award. Their first picture book Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs reassures children that love is forever — the book is widely used by families and children’s therapists to support children dealing with loss. They collaborated with actor and literacy advocate LeVar Burton (Reading Rainbow, Star Trek) on The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, a picture book to help children cope with trauma and “stormy” emotions. The Rhino book has been viewed by millions, read aloud by Michelle Obama and even sent via rocket to the International Space Station for Storytime from Space. Bernardo and Fletcher released The Big Adventures of Tiny House, a celebration of tiny homes, sustainable living and following your heart to a life that is big and amazing…no matter what size you are. Susan has also written a YA novel “Inspired” and is a teacher and poet, and Courtenay is a successful photographer and book designer. They enjoy presenting their books at schools and festivals.