Brian has over 16 years in the newspaper industry with Gannett Publishing Services and Adams Publishing Group. He is also a talented writer and poet. He holds a B.A. in Exceptional Student Education from the University of West Florida.  

 

Lauren has over 10 years in education as a K-8 Art Teacher.  She is a highly skilled artist and illustrator.  She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Florida Gulf Coast University and a M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from American College of Education.

 

Our love story began on a dark and gloomy pirate ship.  Well, actually, it was a pirate-themed restaurant designed to look and feel like a ship.  That's where we met and fell in love, after starting as servers just one day apart from one another.  It was truly meant to be! 

 

Why else would a writer from Chicago and an artist from Brooklyn wind up waiting tables together in a random Florida restaurant?  Our paths in life led directly to each other.  We knew it instantly!     

 

Brian even wrote a song for Lauren in those early days, which he shyly sang to her when they first began dating and then later performed at their wedding.  In fact, the name Sweet Grin Books is inspired by lyrics from that very love song.  

 

We feel so lucky and thankful for our life together.  Our dream has always been to join our talents and our love for children to create picture books together.  

 

With many future titles planned, our #1 focus right now is on the fabulous Zoo Avenue series.  

 

Just check it out and you'll see why!

 

Our mission couldn't be any simpler.  At Sweet Grin Books, we only want to hear three words from every parent:

 

"My Child Smiled!"