Paula Johnson Neal

Paula Johnson Neal is a passionate children's author and early childhood advocate whose stories help young readers navigate emotions, build resilience, and embrace kindness. With over two decades of experience as a preschool administrator, Paula brings deep insight into the social and emotional development of children—insight that shines through in her beloved Gabby series.

Her debut book, I'm Gonna Have a Good Day, earned the Saint Vincent Family Center Corcoran Award for its positive impact on youth. Since then, Paula has continued to inspire with titles like Breathe, Gabby, Breathe and Gabby Meets Kindness, which are widely used in classrooms, libraries, and family reading circles.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Paula is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a frequent guest reader at schools and community events. When she’s not writing, she enjoys zip-lining, indoor skydiving, and baking her signature yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

Paula’s mission is simple but powerful: to help every child feel seen, heard, and loved—one story at a time.