Authors & Illustrators

At CIAO, we are dedicated to building community and advancing the work of Italian and Italian American children's book creators. We support and celebrate authors and illustrators through mentorship programs, review exchanges, professional development opportunities, and community-building events both online and in-person.

Our mission also includes promoting children's literature that honors Italian and Italian American culture by sponsoring these titles in classrooms and educational settings, fostering cultural pride and literacy for the next generation.

At CIAO, we believe that community is at the heart of creativity. That’s why we’re committed to building a vibrant, supportive network for Italian and Italian American children’s book authors and illustrators—at every stage of their creative journey.

We champion storytelling that celebrates heritage and identity by offering a range of opportunities designed to uplift, connect, and empower. From mentorship programs and manuscript review exchanges to expert-led webinars and local meetups, our approach is grounded in collaboration and growth. Whether online or in-person, we create spaces where creatives can learn, share, and thrive together.

Beyond creative development, we’re passionate about sharing stories that reflect Italian and Italian American culture with young readers. We partner with schools, educators, and communities to bring these books into classrooms, fostering cultural pride, literacy, and representation for the next generation.

At CIAO, we don’t just support creators—we cultivate community, elevate voices, and celebrate the power of storytelling to preserve and pass on culture.

Your accomplishments are our accomplishments!

At CIAO, we celebrate every milestone—big or small—because each one reflects the strength, talent, and heart of our community.

We are proud to be a growing network of published and pre-published Italian and Italian American children’s book authors and illustrators. Some of us are debuting our first manuscripts, while others have built long-standing careers in kidlit. No matter where you are on your creative journey, you are valued, seen, and supported here.

Together, we’ve:

• Launched mentorship and manuscript review exchanges to help creatives grow in craft and confidence.
   
• Hosted virtual meetups, critique groups, and webinars led by industry professionals.
   
• Celebrated the publication of new books by CIAO members—bringing stories of Italian culture, identity, and joy to young readers.
   
• Donated culturally rich titles to classrooms across the country to spark pride and representation.
   
• Connected members through community-building events, both online and in person.
   

These accomplishments aren’t just checkboxes—they are proof of what’s possible when creatives uplift one another. At CIAO, we’re not only making progress—we’re making it together.