S. Finelli

Dr. Susan Finelli-Genovese (writing as S. Finelli) is passionate about writing, illustrating, and educating students and readers with her series, Life Books. She hopes to use her talents to share some of life’s lessons and inspire people around the globe.

Many of her books have received the Mom's Choice Award:

Life's Amusement Park in 2010

Life's Classroom in 2014

Life's Ocean in 2016

Life's Garden in 2017

Life Books is honored to be recognized for excellence in family-friendly media!

Susan grew up in Northeast Ohio, living in a bungalow with a family of ten; four sisters and three brothers. Her parents were a core source of inspiration for her to start writing and illustrating. Her father was a cartoonist for the US Coast Guard while in service, eventually moving on to be a dot etcher in the lithography trade. He taught Susan one-on-one how to draw and utilize art materials and encouraged her to pursue art as a profession. Her mother was a gifted poet and storyteller and shared her poems with the family. She taught life lessons to Susan through a character named "Princess Maria," which sparked Susan's interest in teaching life lessons with her books.

Susan worked as a educator in the North Royalton City School District for 15 years.. She also has experience as a curriculum facilitator and was an active tech coach for Pre-K-12 teachers and administrators.. Susan is currently an associate professor and the Associate Dean for the K-12 master's program at Baldwin Wallace University. She also serves as the chair of the MAED Ed Tech Advisory Committee as well as the advisor for the Tech Club at Baldwin Wallace.

In Susan's free time, she enjoys cooking and has been a proud vegetarian for 30 years. She believes in a holistic approach to health and happiness. She deeply enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and the unconditional love of her Boxer, Cleo. More than ever, she realizes how precious our time on earth really is and found that being mindful of this every day is what makes life blessed.