Cheri Rae

Two words best describe the direction of Cheri Rae’s writing career: worthy causes. After graduating from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Cheri embarked on a path of good works that blended her desire to make a difference and her considerable editorial skills. And she has done that in many ways, particularly in her advocacy for children with dyslexia.

"DyslexiaLand: A Field Guide for Parents of Children with Dyslexia" is a collection of hard-won wisdom gained over the course of ten years of dyslexia advocacy, beginning with her own son, who graduated with honors in 2015. While serving as a dyslexia consultant to the Santa Barbara Unified School District in Southern California, Cheri established a Parent Resource Center, monthly “Dyslexia Dialogues” and the annual “Distinguished Dyslexic Speaker Series.”

She was named a “Local Hero” by the Santa Barbara Independent for her fearless efforts to get training for teachers on behalf of students with dyslexia, and was awarded a Resolution from the California State Assembly for her dyslexia work.

Prior to moving to Santa Barbara, Cheri enjoyed successful stints as a magazine editor, holding key management positions with such popular lifestyle magazines as Runner’s World, Surfer, California Scenic, and Bicycle Sport. Cheri took up the cause of desert conservation and her maps and books, including "Mojave National Preserve: A Visitors Guide," helped rally the public and contributed to a successful campaign that preserved the scenic wonders of the Mojave as national parkland. Describing access to that actual land inspired her to write the about how to access the imaginary DyslexiaLand, as she vividly describes in the book.

In Santa Barbara, Cheri covered the city’s lively political scene as a columnist for Santa Barbara Daily Sound. In 2009 the California Association of Newspaper Publishers, awarded Cheri first-place honors in the Best Newspaper Column category. Her interest in preserving—and celebrating—Santa Barbara’s unique environment and architecture, led her to pen books about her fair city, including "Walk Santa Barbara: City Strolls & Country Rambles" and "Pearl Chase: First Lady of Santa Barbara."

Cheri continues to work with parents leading parent empowerment seminars to help them advocate for their dyslexic children, writes articles, and shares the trials and tribulations of DyslexiaLand as a public speaker. Determined to apply her creative touch to the world of dyslexia, she makes dyslexia-related assemblage art that has been featured in several galleries. And her collaborative photography project, "1 in 5: The Face of Dyslexia" is a work-in-progress to showcase dyslexic individuals of all ages and stages of life.

"'DyslexiaLand: A Field Guide for Parents of Children with Dyslexia' is the book I wish I would have had to guide me through what seemed like a mysterious place with a history, culture, politics and even a language all its own," she explains. "I hope it will help other parents support their child's strengths and be empowered to lead the way on the 13-year journey through public school, and what I call DyslexiaLand."

Cheri lives with her family in a 1912 bungalow in Santa Barbara’s Bungalow Haven, located in the midst of the historic neighborhood district that she helped create through her advocacy. Learn more at DyslexiaLand.com.