PHOTO: Deanna Bussadori, award-winning author of the Super Big Brother series, brings heart, culture, and creativity to children’s literature.
Inspiring Children Through Poetry and Imagination
Deanna Bussadori, celebrated author of the Super Big Brother series, discusses her inspiration, cultural background, creative process, charitable giving, and how she crafts stories that combine family values and poetic rhythm.
Deanna Bussadori has carved a special place in the world of children’s literature, captivating young hearts through her celebrated Super Big Brother series. Famed for her poetic storytelling, rhythmic verse, and heartfelt themes, Bussadori uses her books to spotlight the emotional growth of children and the power of sibling relationships. Her stories are more than just delightful rhymes—they’re tools for teaching kindness, empathy, and family unity.
The inspiration behind Super Big Brother: Finding Your Hero came directly from Bussadori’s own children. Watching her son naturally mentor his younger sister lit a creative spark that evolved into an entire series celebrating sibling milestones. From school jitters to welcoming a new baby, each book delicately captures the emotional beats of childhood, woven with warmth and optimism.
Deanna Bussadori is a gifted storyteller whose heartfelt, rhythmic tales uplift children and champion the enduring power of kindness and family.
“Watching my son naturally step into the role of a mentor for his younger sister inspired the Super Big Brother series,” Bussadori shares. Her ability to frame personal moments into universal lessons is a hallmark of her writing.
Raised in South Africa in a lively Greek household, Bussadori’s multicultural upbringing plays a strong role in shaping her work. Her stories often echo the communal spirit, cultural richness, and sense of belonging that defined her childhood—sunshine, beach outings, and open-door hospitality. She believes that today’s fast-paced world can benefit from such grounding, especially when it comes to maintaining family bonds.
Rhyme is not just a stylistic choice for Bussadori—it’s an instinct. Deeply inspired by Dr. Seuss, she found her voice in lyrical storytelling from an early age. “Writing children’s books in rhyme is where I feel most at home on this author journey—it’s simply how my mind works,” she explains.
Beyond storytelling, Bussadori is passionate about giving back. Through partnerships with organizations like REACH-A-Child and Hindi’s Libraries, and book donations to wildfire-affected schools in Los Angeles, she ensures that her stories reach children who need them most. For Bussadori, philanthropy is not a marketing tool—it’s a personal mission.
Relocating across countries has presented its own challenges. Bussadori acknowledges the difficulty of starting over—leaving behind friends and familiar environments—but sees these transitions as lessons in resilience and adaptability. These life experiences have shaped both her worldview and her storytelling, giving her books a sense of emotional depth and universality.
Her award-winning book cover for Super Big Brother: Finding Your Hero, created in collaboration with Blueberry Illustrations, was carefully designed to reflect the book’s essence. The June 2023 AllAuthor Cover-of-the-Month award was a testament to that vision and its resonance with readers and parents alike.
When it comes to writing for children, Bussadori believes the best lessons are the ones that don’t feel like lessons at all. She blends storytelling with subtle values, using rhyme and relatable experiences to naturally infuse themes like bravery, kindness, and teamwork.
Her advice to aspiring authors is both simple and powerful: “Don’t overthink—just take action. Passion is key. If you keep returning to an idea, it’s a sign your passion is real. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back.”
Through her creativity, generosity, and unwavering dedication, Deanna Bussadori is not just telling stories—she’s building bridges between families, cultures, and communities, one page at a time.
This article was adapted from an interview with Deanna Bussadori in the latest issue of Reader’s House.
