Shanel Young:

The Brave Little Storyteller Shanel Young became a published author at just three years old, inspired by her real-life experiences with food allergies and her big heart for helping others feel included.

She loves dancing, painting, asking endless questions, and reminding everyone she meets that “it’s okay to be different.” Her curiosity and courage sparked the creation of Shanel’s World, a story that encourages children to celebrate what makes them uniquely themselves and to show up confidently in the world.

Shanine Alessia Young:

Shanine is a teacher, self-published author, and author coach who has helped hundreds of people confidently share their stories. After guiding her daughter through the entire publishing process, she was inspired to turn Shanel’s experiences into a book that helps children feel seen, understood, and proud of who they are.

As the founder of Reaching While Teaching LLC, Shanine brings literacy-rich programs, author visits, and student-centered workshops to schools across the world. Her mission is to help children use their voice, communicate with confidence, and build a strong sense of identity, skills they carry far beyond the classroom.