Julie McDonnell Author

I am very honored to receive an endorsement of My Rose-Colored Glasses: A Bailey and Buttons Story from Tony Buttino Sr., Emmy Award-Winning Co-Creator of Reading Rainbow and Co-Author of Creating Reading Rainbow: The Untold Story of a Beloved Children's Series (see below)

"In My Rose-Colored Glasses, Dr. Julie McDonnell delivers a heartfelt and beautifully illustrated reminder that even life’s smallest challenges can hold moments of joy, growth, and wonder. Through Bailey’s magical discovery of Grandma’s heart-shaped glasses, young readers are gently encouraged to view the world through a lens of kindness, optimism, and love.

Filled with warmth, imagination, and emotional depth, this empowering story encourages children to recognize the beauty hidden within difficult moments and discover how choosing compassion and positivity can brighten not only the world around them—but the way they see themselves and others.

My Rose-Colored Glasses is a tender tale for families, classrooms, and children learning the lasting power of perspective."

Tony Buttino Sr., Emmy Award-Winning Co-Creator of Reading Rainbow and Co-Author of Creating Reading Rainbow: The Untold Story of a Beloved Children's Series

My Rose-Colored Glasses launches JULY 15!
To learn more and PREORDER your copy, visit
https://get.myrosecoloredglasses.com

Long before children learn algebra, science, or history, they begin forming beliefs about who they are, what they're capable of, and where they belong. Those beliefs have the power to shape a child's entire universe. 🌠

As we count down to the start of the new school year, one retired educator is empowering kids nationwide to challenge their limiting beliefs and discover the limitless possibilities that emerge when they learn to see themselves for who they truly are and what they bring to the world. 👦🏿👦🏽👦🏻🌎👧🏻👧🏽👧🏿

We're excited to announce that Dr. Julie McDonnell Author will be joining us as one of the featured authors and panelists at PR From The Heart's Building A Culture Of Reading In Your Classroom 2026 (presented in partnership with SMART Reading)—taking place on Saturday, August 8th at Barnes & Noble. 🤗

Dr. Julie will be sharing her highly new children's book, My Rose-Colored Glasses (published by Miriam Laundry), as part of the event's morning session (beginning at 11AM PT)—featuring special story times and book signings for children and families. 👪🏻📖👪🏿

Plus, Julie will be a prominent part of our interactive author panel for parents, educators, and librarians (beginning at 2PM PT), where she’ll take us inside the pages of the newest installment in her award-winning Bailey and Buttons series while sharing the keys to raising emotionally resilient kids in an increasingly challenging world, solutions to the confidence crisis facing our children, and how we can inspire today's kids to see this new school year with perspective, hope, and optimism—plus much more! 💫

For our friends and neighbors in Portland: Join the discussion, meet Dr. Julie in person, and get your copies of the Bailey and Buttons series—My Rose-Colored Glasses and The Flowers in Grandma's Garden—personally signed. ✍🏻

The first 100 pre-registered attendees will receive a FREE children’s book, courtesy of PR From The Heart. 🎁

Seats are limited for this immersive day of storytelling, connection, and conversation with leading voices in the world of children’s literature—including Tony Buttino Sr., Daytime Emmys Award–Winning Co-Creator of Reading Rainbow and Co-Author of Creating Reading Rainbow: The Untold Story of a Beloved Children's Series (published by Globe Pequot), Aron Nels Steinke, Eisner Award-Winning Author & Creator of the Mr. Wolf's Class Graphic Novel Series (published by Graphix/Scholastic) and Amelie Anastasia, the 12-year-old philanthropist behind the forthcoming release, Shelter Dogs (published by Little House of Dreams Publishing). Once they’re gone, they’re gone! Secure your spot now: https://bit.ly/4vyqTOv. ⏳

Stay connected to PR From The Heart as we continue the unveiling of the complete lineup for this year’s Building A Culture Of Reading In Your Classroom 2026, with a brand-new featured author and panelist reveal arriving later this week. 📣

Thank you for helping us to walk home the children of Portland and our little neighbors across the world. 👦🏿👦🏽👦🏻🙏🏻👧🏻👧🏽👧🏿

Excited to share that my updated author website is now live! 🌸✨

Thanks to my amazing husband, Jeff, my author website has a brand-new look!

The site now shares more about my author journey, the Bailey and Buttons series, school author visits, upcoming book news, and the heart behind the stories.

Take a peek here: https://JulieMcDonnellAuthor.com

I’m so grateful to have a place where families, teachers, librarians, and readers can learn more about Bailey, Buttons, and the messages woven into these books. 💕

I have been so excited to share this with you, and the day is finally here! 💜

The newest Bailey & Buttons story — My Rose-Colored Glasses — is officially open for PRE-ORDER, and it launches July 15, 2026!

This one is about something I think we all need a little reminder of sometimes. Bailey encounters things she doesn't understand, kids who are different from her, and moments that make her quick to judge. But when she slows down and looks through a different lens — Grandma's rose-colored glasses — she discovers something beautiful: when we open our minds and hearts, the world looks a whole lot different.

It's a story about perspective. About curiosity over judgment. About choosing to see the best in others and in the world around us.

Because you are part of this community, I want to make sure you know about the PRE-ORDER bonuses — a FREE eBook, FREE downloadable activity guides, an exclusive storytime video, and a personally signed copy for US orders! 🎁

PRE-ORDER your copy here 👉 https://get.myrosecoloredglasses.com

Thank you for being on this journey with me. From the bottom of my heart — it means everything. 🌸
— Julie 💜