Alicia Hogan Murphy is an author whose children’s and family books emphasize self-worth, respect, and kindness.  While she was growing up on Long Island, Alicia’s second-grade teacher recognized her love of writing and gave her a special notebook where she could write stories and poems. This gesture sparked a dream in 7-year-old Alicia: one day she would become an author.

Throughout her childhood and young adult years, Alicia struggled with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. It became very important to her to create uplifting books that would help children cope with various challenges as they learn to recognize and value their own worth.

Alicia’s debut picture book, The Muddy Foot Prince, was published in 2015 and resonated with young readers because of its message about being yourself and believing in yourself. Alicia has adapted the story into a short musical film and is currently looking into having it produced as a movie.

As a mom of three and an elementary education teacher, Alicia sees the importance of touching children’s hearts through her stories. Her mental health challenges have heightened her awareness of others’ struggles, resulting in a desire to address them through books. She hopes that her vulnerable characters will be relatable to readers and help them understand that they are not alone.

Fun facts about Alicia: She loves baking, watching Little House on the Prairie, and eating peanut butter! Her favorite actor is Matt Damon; she was inspired by his quest to write a screenplay and turn it into an inspiring film full of timeless lessons about self-love.

Alicia invites readers to cozy up, breathe deeply, and travel unique journeys through the magic of books.