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For Minneapolis-based children’s book author and mom of three, Marissa Bader, storytelling isn’t just a career; it’s a way of understanding the world, building connection, and helping both children and adults navigate big feelings with compassion.
“I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember,” Marissa shares. “Writing is so much more than what I do. It’s who I am.”
As a child, she spent hours journaling, creating handmade books, writing poetry, short stories, and more. Writing became her way of making sense of her thoughts, emotions, and her place in the world – a practice that still grounds her today.
A Writer at Heart and by Profession
In addition to being the author of several social-emotional learning (SEL) focused children’s books, Marissa has contributed to several publications, such as Psychology Today, HuffPost Parents, Time Out New York, Kveller, Her View From Home, and Twiniversity. She also served as the Twins Editor and a mental health writer for Lucie’s List, where she supported parents navigating pregnancy, postpartum life, and the often-overwhelming early years of parenthood.
Marissa also holds a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, and her deep passion for mental health informs everything she writes.
“Mental health is at the core of my work,” she explains. “Whether I’m writing for adults or children, I’m always thinking about emotional safety, validation, empathy, and connection.”
Writing for Kids and the Grown-Ups Who Love Them
Marissa is the author of four children’s books – The Only Me, Stella’s Brave Voice, Petunia the Perfectionist, and Saturdays with Gramps – each rooted in social-emotional learning themes such as identity, confidence, growth mindset, and grief.
Inspired by her own children (a set of twins and a singleton) and her lived experiences as both a parent and a daughter navigating loss, Marissa writes stories that gently open the door to meaningful conversations at home and in classrooms.
“As parents, we’re often looking for the ‘right’ words,” she says. “Stories can help carry those conversations when it feels hard to start them ourselves.”
Her books are frequently used by parents, educators, therapists, and schools as tools to support emotional development, resilience, and kindness, without being preachy or overwhelming.
The Shared Journey
At the heart of Marissa’s work is a concept she calls “the shared journey.”
“We all have a story,” she says. “And when we’re brave enough to share pieces of our own, we realize how connected we really are.”
This belief has long been the why behind her writing. Through essays, picture books, and free SEL resources for families, Marissa aims to bridge gaps, reduce isolation, and remind people that they are not alone.
It’s also the inspiration behind her tagline: “connecting hearts through stories.”
Rooted in the Minneapolis Community
As a mom raising her three daughters in the Minneapolis area, community matters deeply to Marissa. She regularly partners with local bookstores, schools, libraries, and family-centered organizations, and she loves meeting readers face-to-face at storytimes and community events throughout the Twin Cities.
“Kindness and connection start close to home,” she says. “I truly believe small moments – a smile, an inclusive gesture, a story shared – can create ripples of change.”
And this really is the core belief that underlies Marissa’s work: stories have the power to heal, to connect, and to make the world a kinder place.
Marissa BaderChildren’s Book Author | Writer🌐 Website: https://marissabader.com/
📷 Instagram: @marissabaderwriter
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