Groundbreaking Children's Author, M. LaVora Perry, Profiled in the Marquis Who's Who in America®, 2005 Edition

M. LaVora Perry, who was American Greetings® first African-American staff card writer and who authored the first known children's book centered on an urban Black Buddhist child and her family, is profiled in the 2005 edition of the Marquis Who's Who in America®.

East Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) July 26, 2004 -- Author M. LaVora Perry of East Cleveland has been selected for inclusion in a biographical directory published by Marquis Who's Who®, the leading biographical reference publisher of the highest achievers and contributors from across the United States and around the world. Perry will be profiled in the 2005 edition of Who's Who in America®, which will be available in October, 2004.

ABOUT M. LaVORA PERRY

National and International Acclaim

M. LaVora Perry's Who's Who in America® listing will follow the launch of the author's second children's book, Wu-lung & I-lung, a story book whose futuristic illustrations by Graphic Designer Norio Saneshige received an ADDY® Award from the American Advertisers Federation.

Wu-lung & I-lung is a retelling of an ancient Chinese legend of a loyal father and son whose love transcends death. Perry's rendition of the tale has been praised by former Personal Diarist for U.S. President Bill Clinton, Janis F. Kearney, who made the following comments that appear on Wu-lung & I-lung's back cover: "What a beautiful book...I was mesmerized by the story." Wu-lung & I-lung is being adapted for use by children's groups in Malaysia. The book is scheduled for a Summer 2004 release.

Black, American, Buddhist

Perry's first children's book, Taneesha's Treasures of the Heart (2003), is a contemporary chapter book about two urban friends-one African American and Buddhist, the other Caucasian with a physical disability-who encounter a bullying older child. The book's Illustrator, Chris R. Seaman is a designer of Harry Potter Collectible cards. 

Taneesha's Treasures of the Heart is the first children's book to depict the experience of a contemporary African-American Buddhist family. The book has been requested for inclusion in selected public schools in the African nation of Zambia, and is endorsed by former Editorial Director for American Greetings Corporation®, Kathy Bernetich, the Midwest Book Review, Black Issues Book Review and the Newsletter of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.

The latter's review describes the book as a "Delightful story of friendship and tolerance..." Taneesha's Treasures of the Heart may be obtained from booksellers and libraries throughout the United States, including Amazon.com. 

Making Multinational History 

In 1995 M. LaVora Perry became the first African American staff card writer for the world's largest publicly-owned, multinational greeting card company-American Greetings®. For Perry's detailed biography and information on placing book orders and scheduling her for presentations and speaking engagements visit www.FortuneChildBooks.com or email her at the contact address provided in this release.

A copy of this release with the author's photograph and book cover images is available online at http://www.fortunechildbooks.com/whoswho05.htm

ABOUT WHO'S WHO®
Since 1899, when A.N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor-including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world.

The Original Who's Who

As the original publisher of the Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® never requires individuals profiled in their publications to make any type of purchase. Marquis now publishes many Who's Who® titles, including Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in Finance and Business, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in American Women®.

To nominate colleagues for a Marquis publication, visit the official Marquis Who's Who® Web site at www.marquiswhoswho.com