A husband and wife team, both of whom are employed by Chelsea Senior Living in Fanwood, have written and published a children’s book with positive messages of self-esteem for kids to cope with bullying.
KROD’s Chronicles (AuthorHouse) was written and published by Gertrude Scocozza, Office Manager at the Chelsea Senior Living corporate headquarters, and her husband Jonathan Morales-Gonzalez, Building Services Director at the Chelsea at Fanwood assisted living residence. The couple work in buildings across the street from each other on South Avenue. They live in Linden.
“He always called me a Krod, just joking around, knowing it’s the opposite of Dork,” said Ms. Scocozza. “And then one day we just said hey, this would be a good book. There’s meaning to this.”
Mr. Morales-Gonzalez was inspired by his own childhood experiences. Born in Puerto Rico, he travelled throughout South America with his parents, who were in the Peace Corps, until coming to the U.S. to live at age 9. He knew only Spanish at that time.
“When I moved to the United States, there was a big language barrier,” he remembered. “That’s not an easy thing for a child to grow up with in a school system. On top of that, I grew up being a heavy kid. I’ve been called every name in the book. I can’t imagine being that person who is picking on someone who can’t defend himself or is afraid to do so.”
The couple had to balance the time between their full time jobs and writing the book over a year and a half.
“When you have a passion for something, you make the time,” said Mr. Morales-Gonzalez.
KROD’s Chronicles is currently available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
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