MELISSA JOY DITTRICH
Melissa's spark for telling stories and expressing them through art was ignited as a young girl as she entertained herself through the four distinct seasons of the Midwest. Endless summer days and frigid winters were often spent creating elaborate imaginary worlds and storylines or drawing for hours at a time. Currently, Melissa resides in California with her husband and enjoys fetching day dreams at coffee shops and traveling the world. She is passionate about encouraging children to cultivate their imaginations while fostering thoughts that cause them to flourish especially in areas of struggle.
THE STORY BEHIND
SOMETIMES BLUE DADDI-O
Photos by Annette Biggers
Promo Video. by Brooklyn Root & Claudine Castillo
Sometimes Blue, Daddi-O addresses the mental illness epidemic for young children. Many parents suffer from mental illness, depression, anxiety, and hopelessness, but unfortunately, some children don’t have someone to help them process this and overcome it. Sometimes Blue Daddi-o opens a door of communication for kids so it can be addressed instead of ignored. It helps children find language to express what they are feeling inside and begin the healing journey. Finally, this book creates awareness. Many children hear about mental illness when they go to school, and it creates a stigma around the topic, but stigmas never help solve problems. Let’s cultivate safe environments where this can be talked about and processed in a healthy way for kids.
This is Melissa’s first story in the Noteworthy Family series. This series is inspired by her own life and helps children soar above life’s challenges, allowing their dreams to become a reality.
“Many thanks to everyone who helped me launch my first book in the Noteworthy Family series!”
“My parents, Annette B., Jenny F., Kris V., Carmen M., Ryan S., Scott and Chrysti B., John & Claudine C., Brooklyn R. and the girls, Ken and Lori S., Bobby and Carrie M., Jennie B., Brandon W., Jesse R., Christine M., Noel P., Sue C., Johana A., Tara S., Stan W., Molly C., Erin K., Beth G., Rachel W., Rhonda M., Kendra B., Buffy H., Japheth M., Gina P., Christina P., Shannon M., Ed and Rheena G., Belén V., Vince and Clio T., John B., Edson C., Marissa F., Lauren C., Derek S., Aimee H., Wesley D., Dana G., Kimberly B., James E., Clint J., Cathy F., Stephanie R., Sarah R., Christa W., Leonie F., Shelby C., Sharon N., Joe S., Ngoh Moon Tee and Yee Tham Wan, Tim D., Melanie Y., Cecilia S., Rupe, Grace A., Lori R., Stephanie G., Laurie C., Mikala H., Cassi K., Noel P., Kyle R., Elisa L., Kristi G., Hydee B., Lora T., Michael R., Holly R., and anonymous donors!”