Melissa Finkelstein

Melissa Finkelstein is an author, lawyer, and proud mother to three amazing young kids. She resides with her family in Northern New Jersey.

She created the children's book series, The Big Feelings Friends ("BFF"), to remind children that we all feel big feelings at different times, that we can use strategies to process and regulate these emotions, and of the importance of being kind and empathetic toward others.

Her debut children's book, Picky the Panda and the Tickly Tail, was inspired by her daughter Skylar who has sensory processing disorder. It shares messages to embrace sensory differences, recharge when overwhelmed, and lead with kindness and empathy. Her second book in the Big Feelings Friends series, Bobby the Snake and the Broken TV, was inspired by her son Myles, and shares reminders to unplug from screens, recharge through nature, and that you can always turn a bad day around. Squeaky Kiki was inspired by her daughter Kayla ("Kiki"), and shares messages of standing up for yourself, setting boundaries, and respecting others. Her newest release, Sheepishly Sorry teaches us that actions speak louder than words and that when it feels difficult to say "I'm sorry" we can show we are sorry in other, often more heartfelt, ways.

Melissa’s passion for creative writing has shone through her days drafting litigation briefs, her custom poetry business, Designer Rhymes, and the daily nursery rhymes she writes for her kids. She now enjoys sharing her stories and mindfulness strategies at preschools and elementary schools throughout the tri-state area.