Orly Benaroch Light

Orly is an entrepreneur, advocate for women and girls, peacebuilder, proud mom, and food enthusiast. Born to Moroccan parents in Israel, raised in Canada, and now living by the beach in San Diego, she brings a vibrant blend of cultures, stories, and flavors to everything she does.

Her career spans the travel and conference industries, and she founded an online community for women over 50 to empower and connect them. Yet her greatest adventure has been exploring the wonders of the world and sharing those experiences with her children. That journey inspired the creation of Papimento—an imaginative character who, through fantasy adventures, travels to faraway lands, bridges cultures, and discovers that kindness and courage come in all forms, regardless of gender.

Now, with her children grown and cheering her on, Orly brings the first Papimento story to life, inspiring young readers to celebrate differences and spark a kinder, gentler world.

Orly is a proud member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), where she continues to grow her craft and connect with a global community of storytellers.

Deeply committed to social impact, she volunteers her time and energy with organizations such as UN Women, Peace Now, and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation — supporting efforts to advance equality, peacebuilding, and human rights around the world.

Fun Facts About Orly

Any chocolate with nuts.

The Little Prince: Orly liked The Little Prince because it was about an aviator, and she had been fascinated by planes ever since her first flight when she was 10. The story is also about noticing the important things you can’t always see—like feelings and friendships—instead of just what’s on the outside.

Orly has traveled to many beautiful places, each with its own unique charm. A few that truly stand out to her are Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, and Bermuda.

Rogério Coelho

Rogério, based in Curitiba, Brazil, is a passionate illustrator and storyteller. With a lifelong love for drawing, he has brought over 100 books to life for publishers around the world. His work has earned prestigious honors, including two Jabuti Prizes and a gold medal at the Independent Publisher Book Awards for Boat of Dreams. Rogério lives with his wife, Regina, and their three children, continuing to inspire readers and artists alike with his creativity and dedication.

Rogério has been twice honored with Brazil’s prestigious Prêmio Jabuti literary prize and earned a Gold Medal at the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) in the “Children’s Picture Books (all ages)” category. His award-winning work has garnered international recognition for its contributions to children’s literature.

Fun Facts About Rogério

Chocolate with rice flakes.

Rogério does not have a favorite book, but he does have a favorite reading: the stories of Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge written and drawn by Carl Barks.

Rogério’s favorite place is his home, surrounded by family and his books. He once took a wonderful trip to Chile, where he experienced lots of snow—a journey that inspired and helped him with the illustrations for Papimento and the Chocolate Mountains.

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