About Jessica Gasbarro
I am a debut children’s author writing stories for ages 4–8 that celebrate empathy, resilience, and emotional honesty. I write stories that help children make sense of relationships while offering adults meaningful moments of recognition. A quirky lawyer-turned-writer and mini-pig rescuer, I find endless inspiration in the humor, heart, and quiet wisdom of the animals in my care and the gentle lessons they teach about kindness, boundaries, and belonging.
I hold a B.A. in English from the University of California, Davis, a Juris Doctorate, and I am a licensed attorney in California. My background in law and equity-focused work quietly shapes my storytelling, grounding even whimsical tales in themes of fairness, advocacy, and care for others. Through character-driven narratives and emotionally accessible moments, my work helps children develop self-awareness, empathy, and healthy relationship skills in ways that feel natural, affirming, and story-first.
I am a proud member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and live in Dutchess County, New York. Shaped by caregiving, animal rescue, and years working in equity and inclusion, my work is guided by the belief that gentle stories can help children feel seen, safe, and understood, while giving educators and caregivers meaningful opportunities for conversation and connection.
In addition to children’s picture books, I also write a series of non-fiction essays exploring my family history on Substack. This ongoing, unpaid creative project is written for adult readers and centers on the voices, lived experiences, and adventures of the courageous women in my family, as stories passed down through memory, conversation, and care. Writing these essays is an act of preservation as much as storytelling, a way of honoring the women who came before me before their voices are lost to time.
