"Hero Foster Mom Who Wants ‘Kids to Feel Hopeful’ Writes Children’s Books with a Special Message.

When California mom Keri Vellis couldn't find a book to read to her foster kids, she wrote one herself..." Read full article HERE.

05/29/2019 - Read full interview HERE. 

​Click here to read full article at dearly.com

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Article by marinij.com 07.06.2018

When producers for the “Ellen” TV show booked a special audience for the “1 Million Acts of Good” show on Jan. 26, Marin native Keri Vellis was on the list....read more

Part of The Cheerios One Million Acts of Good Campaign! February 1st, 2018

​Keri who was among only 300 individuals chosen for their acts of giving and helping humanity. The audience was closed to the public, while Ellen recorded a two day episode for her 60th Birthday Show. She acknowledged the attendees for doing good in the world and encouraged them to continue with their calling. The shows aired Thursday and Friday, February 1st and 2nd, 2018.

The Press Democrat featured the above article about Keri July 14, 2017,  by Dianne Reber Hart, Towns Correspondent. Read the full article HERE.

Read more...

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GROW THE LOVE!

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The December issue of Sonoma Family Life interviewed Keri Vellis about her foster care journey and what inspired her to write her engaging children's book Sometimes... Read the full article by clicking HERE.

Keri Vellis is proud to announce that SOMETIMES... is featured in Adoption Today/Fostering Families Today's online publication for National Adoption Month 2017.  Please read the article by clicking HERE. 

When Keri got the call her books were ready to deliver, she and her team couldn't wait for the truck to come to her so they went to the truck! She loaded 1500 books, pallet and all, into the back of her SUV. With her "Grass Roots" marketing and distribution efforts, Keri does not waste a minute in getting orders fulfilled or connections made to ensure those who need the book most, receive it. Please contact her HERE to learn how you or your organization can make this book more available within the Foster Care and Adoption community.

Keri has been invited to several classrooms in Sonoma County to read aloud and explain her role as an emergency foster parent. She discusses the process of how and why a child may be removed and what happens as they get placed with a foster family.

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"The kids are very observant and love the illustrations. I purposely created the main character to look gender neutral so they could identify with the child whether they are a boy or girl. They have even shared personal experiences because I think they feel supported. The book perhaps 'normalizes' their reactions and emotions to a traumatic event."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANTA ROSA, CA, April 26, 2017 (inVision Communications) Keri Vellis, an experienced Foster Parent in Sonoma County, has written an engaging children’s book to comfort foster kids who are displaced from their homes. Keri’s goal is to help children who are transitioning to another home feel good about themselves, and understand that there can be loving people around them as well as happiness in their lives.

“I always enjoy reading to my kids, but was surprised to find that local bookstores and libraries did not have age appropriate and engaging books focusing on the experience of being displaced and moving to an unfamiliar environment.” This is when Keri decided to write Sometimes. When she read it to her little ones, they immediately related to the story and encouraged her to make it an actual book.

Keri knew she needed to find an illustrator who could convey the emotions and tone of her story with lively and colorful art. She was introduced to illustrator Jin Lehr, who happened to be a one-time foster child herself. Having aged out of the system, Jin understood the emotions of what Keri had written because she had gone through it as a child. The main character starts the journey timidly clutching a teddy bear in new surroundings. While experiencing positive family activities the child finds happiness and releases the fear, as well as the bear.

As the project took hold, Keri had a website developed and created a “Donate to a Foster Child” option for purchase. “I would love to have this book available in each Blue Bag that goes with the foster child to their new home, so I wanted to offer an option to purchase a book as a donation. I will personally get it to our local agencies that fulfill these bags,” Keri stated. Keri is self-publishing the first title. Books will be released in June and are available for pre-order now at her website, www.kerivellis.com.

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Keri and her husband are passionate and involved parents of six children: three biological and three adopted through the foster care system. She has three more books in the works all geared to identify with and comfort children who have experienced difficult situations.

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For more information and media inquiries please click HERE or contact Sandy Hernandez at invisionsandy@gmail.com; 707-332-1218