Jamani's Lucky Day:
Searching for Endangered Mountain Gorillas
Ellie Fernands
Ellie Fernands' career in education spanned over 30 years. Her focus was working with children to gain reading and writing proficiency and love of literature.
She went from teaching to becoming an elementary
and middle school principal and finally
an ELA curriculum coordinator.
It was a natural progression for her to take on
the experience of writing a children's book.
Ellie is happily retired and living in Florida by way of Massachusetts. She and her husband, Paul Fernands
are proud parents of Jonathan, Amy and Melissa and grandparents to 5 precious grandchilden.
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She is an avid tennis player
and enjoys all that Florida has to offer.
Her other interest is travel and researching exciting trips.
One of her favorite trips was to East Africa,
which is the setting of "Jamani's Lucky Day."​
Pamela Orr Marck
Pam grew up in Princeton, New Jersey.
At a young age, she knew she wanted a career in education.
As a teen, she taught swimming, diving
and industrial arts and volunteered
as a computer teacher for underprivileged children,
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She graduated magna cum laude from Hollins College
and went to graduate school at York College.
Pam worked as a first grade teacher in PA.
Ever the initiator, while raising their 3 daughters,
Jennifer, Melissa and Hilary,
she founded an award-winning philanthropic organization
for junior high students in Monroe, CT.
​
After moving to Acton, MA, Pam taught reading, was a math coach and opening New Horizons Tutoring.
She was also an active volunteer at her church,
as an ESOL teacher and a mentor to at-risk children.
​
Pam enjoys tennis, travel and photography.
Her favorite role is being "Mimi" to her 5 grandchildren, Brendan, Kayla, Emma, Tyler and Madison!
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About The Illustrator
Ros lives in the Irish mountains, along with her family,
an old English sheepdog and a multitude of rescue cats.
Ros Webb is a children's book illustrator
who has developed a unique style,
appealing to both
young and older readers alike.
She has published several of her own stories,
in addition to illustrating hundreds
of picture books for authors
from all over the world.