Mary Beth Lavin
Italian Instructor | Multimedia Writer
M.A. Italian/English Comp. Literature
HOT OFF THE PRESS!
Heart&SOLE...
These shoes were made for walking...
in their God-given purpose...
The shoes at this news all shuddered in fear...
Would they end up on the street?
Where would they go?? They just didn't know. And how?? Without any feet?!
In this rhyming tale of shoes on a mission, follow the steps of some special shoes who land on the feet of a girl... for a worn out dream come true, at last... her footprints, indeed, on the world.
Bella Butterfly...
When Bella’s dreadful May Day brings her world crashing down, she must walk through wild woods and crawl on rugged ground. With battered wings and shattered heart she fears a bitter end, until one flower’s healing power helps her rise again...
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Inspired by a young girl with autism, Bella Butterfly is the story of a butterfly’s walk in the world... On a path paved with strife and struggle, Bella’s battle is a heart touching metaphor with a powerful message of hope and healing for girls of all ages...
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Mary Beth Lavin is an Italian Instructor with an M.A. in Italian/English Comparative Literature from Florida Atlantic University. She is a seasoned, multimedia writer spanning multiple genres from academic publications to music/lyrics and children’s books. ​Her most recent publication, "The Gems of Genealogy" appears in Italian America magazine (Spring 2025) as an inspiring journey of discovery.
With the richly rhyming verse and profound metaphor which have become her signature style, Mary Beth's latest children's book, Heart & SOLE, teaches children to walk in their God-given purpose. Mary Beth made her debut in children’s literature with Tweet, a socially savvy tale of faith which has earned 5-star reviews from church leaders and readers alike.
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“Mary Beth Lavin has written a beautiful tale for children, filled with allusions to the Gospels and the history of the Church. The story of one pigeon’s fascinating journey to the roots of his faith, ‘Tweet’ is one of those rare accounts that illustrates the defeat of evil through the disarming power of goodness." Fr. Lucas Laborde, St. John Society, US/Argentina
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“Tweet reawakened in my Franciscan heart joy and thankfulness for all that is innocent and childlike. It reinforces the importance of respect and appreciation for all that is sacred."
Sr. Anna Cosgrave OSF, Holy Trinity Parish, Columbia PA
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A former international flight attendant and Italian/Spanish interpreter, Mary Beth recently earned her M.A. while teaching as a GTA Italian Instructor at FAU and in Venice, Italy for FAU's semester abroad program (Summer, 2025).
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#TWEET
A socially savvy tale of faith from a bird's eye view!
Frank Columbo is a pigeon on a mission... Fed up with scrounging for bread only to pay the local bird bullies, Frank decides to break out of his invisible cage on the journey of a lifetime. On wings of a higher power, Frank takes off to a distant land to discover his royal heritage, a heavenly bread, a love he must share and news he must spread...
#YOUNG AT ART
by Ellie Dommel, Grade 4
A talented young artist's author/illustator portrait! This brilliant piece was produced by 4th grader Ellie Dommel at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School in Columbia, PA. Thank you for this treasure, Ellie!
