I first met Susan when she was my personal trainer around 10 years ago. She was so helpful in my becoming healthy through assisting me in developing better eating and exercise habits. We have kept in touch ever since. For the past 6 years she has worked as a cafeteria worker serving young children breakfast and lunch. But in Susan’s usual way, she is doing so much more. She became an author of children books (“Crumbun Says No to Bullying”, “The Crumbgrabbers Meet the Honeylou Kids and Crumby’s Carnival and Magic Show)” See her website- susanrochesterzucconi.com ). In her free time she shares her books by reading to children in schools and at hospices. Her goal for school and hospice visits is to help kids with literacy and bullying. Her books emphasize respect and kindness to one another and to help others through caring, guidance, compassion and smiles. In my opinion Susan is always going above and beyond to mentor and inspire students and is an outstanding woman who definitely gets the job done!
Anne H. Lawrence
Dear Susan,
I’m writing to thank you my dear friend for signing all your books for Me and all my grandchildren. Also, more importantly to let you know how proud I am of you and all you are doing for the Children in Need and those in hospitals. Children sitting a hospital can become very lonely, even with their family near, but having you come, read and spend time with them, and boast their moral, and excite their thinking is so rewarding and healing for them. I am sure they must feel an overwhelming excitement and refreshed New Persons within after you leave. You must give them a new beginning to look forward to starting tomorrow. I am so happy to be able to support you and with every new baby, I have a New Gift, your Books and the Crumbgrabber Family dolls. I just love them all. Thank you for keeping your dream alive.
When read your first book was coming out, soon, wasn’t fast enough, and it seemed like forever I was waiting for”MY OWN”. I knew you were writing them for Children, but I am a big kid at heart, but having so many young grandchildren, and others I consider grands, I wanted to make sure I was First in on getting mine Autographed personally for each and of course Mine too! I was so excited when I mailed my check to you and received those books each autographed for my grandchildren in NJ and MD. So happy they would be able to begin reading wonderful stories, true to life fun and about kind and caring family, fun living. It was as though I was playing in my own yard and doing the things back in the days when I was a little girl again Each story is so special with so much to offer. I was reliving my childhood reading each of the stories you had written. I sit at times and reread your books over and over again. All help teach special lessons of compassion and kindness and being a good friend, and to be happy doing happy things together.
Most recently as you know, I contacted you. I was so filled with joy and over the moon with happiness. My daughter, Marijo was going to be having a new baby. I asked you to hold your first and second book for me and knowing the third one was still not fully published, I wanted to make sure my new grand baby would have the full collection of the series of the Crumbgrabbers. Crumby, Crunbun and Crumbcake are a little family who show so much love and gentleness for each other and all others in their world. I am so glad my Little Andrew now has the full collection, Autographed by you. And even more excited he was able to Crumby, Crumbun and Crumbcake along with the T`shirt for his mommy for daddy to wear, which support Crumbun says No to Bullying.
Your generosity of time and kindness to reach out to children at hospitals and schools by reading and answering questions is amazing. It opens up a whole new world for them. I know how good reading can be and what it has done for my 13 year old grandson, Jonathan. Andrew’s older brother had been read to as a little boy and loved all his books. He is an amazing student, and I truly believe it is because his Mom too the time to read with him, and made it apart of his daily life.
You have given such a huge gift to our children growing up in today’s world. I am so proud you have worked as hard as you have and followed your dream this long, and have found so many supportive friends along the way. Your Website has been a super asset for ordering and knowing payment will get to you faster than ever. I am so happy it is up and running with ease. I love that you have a Treasure Chest ahead for our children, my grandchildren, as it makes my heart happy to know there are still very passionate goal oriented woman and men in my world. Thank you for never giving up on your Dream. Success will be yours always.
Your stories bring back so many memories for me. I feel as though I am reliving and playing with my childhood friends. It’s a joy to know happiness and love is written in each story, and the lessons of kindness and love, helping others can still have the power to open the hearts of little children. Make our children think and ask questions which truly matter to them. It’s a joy to see the smilies on all the faces of the children during your visits and the time you spend with them. It’s cherished moments for them, and I am sure more so for you. True happiness is gained with every word written.
I’m waiting patiently for your next story. Yes, I want my own full collection of beautiful story books for when my grandchildren and others come to my home. My Crumbgrabber Family keep me company in my family room along their books for all to enjoy! I love the many treasured moments with every read, Susan!
Sincerely thankful for all you have given and done for others. Keep smiling and writing your wonderful treasured stories.
Mary Jo E.
I was invited by my childhood friend, Susan Rochester Zucconi, to attend a book reading being held at Emma L Arleth school on February 26, 2014! It was Dr. Seuss Read Across America day, and I was so excited to be going to this wonderful event being held at the elementary school that I attended! More importantly, my childhood friend, Sue, was going to read her first published children’s book entitled “Crumby’s Carnival and Magic Show”! When Sue was a child, both she and her sister Bonnie had a “Carnival” in their yard for the neighborhood kids! This must have been the inspiration behind the story of Crumby and his carnival and magic show! I vaguely remember going to the carnival that Sue and Bonnie created in their yard! Now Sue’s creativity had manifested itself in the pages of this delightful children’s book! Childhood memories “captured” in a book that will entertain and inspire children for generations to come!
The children loved the book! Their facial expressions gave that away! Lots of smiles! Giggles too! Some children leaned forward in anticipation of what was going to happen next at Crumby’s carnival as Sue continued to read her cute story! Upon completion, there were quite a few questions for Sue! The students seemed amazed that someone who once was a student at their school is now an author! A period of discussion ensued, in which Sue encouraged the children to follow their dreams! She is certainly an inspiration! I wish Sue continued success as an author of these wonderful children’s books!
Elaine N.
Susan Rochester Zucconi’s children’s books are wonderful! Every page is filled with whimsy, friendships and important lessons learned. My grandchildren have enjoyed reading them for years… anxiously awaiting the next book. Susan’s kind heart, generosity and love of the children, brightly shines through in all that she does. I am so very proud to call her friend!
Cynthia B.
I am happy to write a review for children’s author, Susan Rochester Zucconi. I was lucky enough to sit in at one of her many Author’s Visits where she read her first book of the Crumbgrabbers series. Since I teach Elementary Education, and have read countless stories to my students over the years, I’m always looking for new and exciting books! Susan offers both! The passion she has for getting her stories out to the children and her passion for writing are very evident. I think it works so well for her because, like Patricia Polacco, and many other children’s book authors, she writes of what she knows. Like Ms. Polacco, Susan has successfully turned her childhood memories and her imagination into incredible stories using characters she developed. In her first book “Crumby’s Carnival and Magic Show” she turns a childhood memory she has of having had a “carnival” in her backyard as a child into a wonderfully illustrated imaginative story. It brings those of us “of a certain age” back to simpler times when we had to use our imaginations and resources we found around the house to entertain ourselves and our friends, while also allowing the present-day reader to connect to the adventures of the Crumbgrabbers. Ms. Zucconi is a vibrant storyteller and I look forward to reading her future stories!
Sincerely,
Madeline E.
Elementary Education Teacher
Susan Zucconi’s uplifting children’s books teach children to believe in themselves and their ability to change those around them by a kind word, gesture and being a good friend. Her Crumbgrabber Series of books inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and talents. Susan’s books are beautifully written, entertaining and an excellent choice for beginning readers. Highly Recommend!!
Bonnie S.