Maryellen Murphy Ruggiero
Maryellen Murphy Ruggiero was raised in a small town in Massachusetts the youngest of five. Her mother Helen was forward thinking and a firm believer in whole foods, vitamins, and exercise for good health. Her father Dan, a teacher, believed strongly in the value of education and the opportunities that it offers. Maryellen graduated from the University of Southern Maine with an Associate’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She married her college sweetheart Dan and in 1989 their son Danny was born. Danny showed signs of sensitivity to certain processed foods and additives, so Maryellen immersed herself in books about wellness and made changes to her family’s lifestyle. In May 2011, she obtained her B.A. in Wellness and the Healing Arts from Lesley University. As her thesis/final project, she researched the essential elements of children's wellness and then wrote and illustrated The Little Lotus Learns About Wellness. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, son, and family dog.
