Nicole C. Kear – författare

Because being scared stinks!Seven-year-old Veronica Conti knows a thing or two. She knows that recess is the best part of the day. And if someone, like Maya, doesn’t play during recess because she’s too afraid of bugs, that’s a HUGE problem! Problems need to be fixed.Veronica learns, though, that when you try to fix an issue on your own, you might make things a tiny bit worse. Or maybe a lot worse.So before you can say “bugging out,” Veronica forms a team with her best friend Cora, total tech whiz Ezra, and Mr. Know-It-All—her bossy big brother, Jude. Together, they can tackle Maya’s problem and every problem! Together, they are the Fix-It Friends!The first adventure in The Fix-It Friends chapter book series anchors humor with lots of heart, as the group learns to deal with fears and phobias.Includes a toolbox of expert advice on how to face your fears!Don’t miss the other Fix-It Friends adventures:The Fix-It Friends: Sticks and StonesThe Fix-It Friends: The Show Must Go OnThe Fix-It Friends: Wish You Were HereThe Fix-It Friends: Eyes on the PrizeThe Fix-It Friends: Three’s a CrowdAn Imprint Book"Fears are scary! But don’t worry: the Fix-It Friends are here with step-by-step help —and humor too.”—Fran Manushkin, author of the Katie Woo series“Full of heart and more than a little spunk” —Kathleen Lane, author of The Best Worst ThingAn empowering resource for kids — and they''re just plain fun to read.” —Lauren Knickerbocker, Ph.D., Co-Director, Early Childhood Service, NYU Child Study Center“Hooray for these young friends who work together; this diverse crew will have readers looking forward to more.” —Kirkus Reviews"The humor is spot-on, and the stories pull kids in, teaching without preaching, encouraging children to be active problem-solvers in their own lives." —Dr. Dawn Huebner, Ph. D., child psychologist and creator of the What-to-Do Guides for Kids series

Because words can hurt you too.Noah’s the quiet type, which makes him a great friend for Veronica. She chats. He listens. She gabs. He nods. Perfect!So when Veronica spots Noah getting teased, she decides that if he won’t speak up for himself, she will! What she doesn''t expect is that the teasing will turn on her -- and her sense of style. Veronica''s so embarrassed that she agrees to a mega Makeover from Cora, the Queen of Cute. When this only makes the name-calling worse, Veronica and Noah know just who to call for back-up: the one-and-only problem-solving team, the Fix It Friends!The second adventure in The Fix-It Friends chapter book series anchors humor with lots of heart, as the group learns to deal with teasing and bullying.Includes a toolbox of expert advice on how to handle teasing! Don’t miss the other Fix-It Friends adventures:The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!The Fix-It Friends: The Show Must Go OnThe Fix-It Friends: Wish You Were HereThe Fix-It Friends: Eyes on the PrizeThe Fix-It Friends: Three’s a CrowdAn Imprint BookPraise for The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!:"Fears are scary! But don’t worry: the Fix-It Friends are here with step-by-step help —and humor too.”—Fran Manushkin, author of the Katie Woo series“Full of heart and more than a little spunk”—Kathleen Lane, author of The Best Worst ThingAn empowering resource for kids — and they''re just plain fun to read.”—Lauren Knickerbocker, Ph.D., Co-Director, Early Childhood Service, NYU Child Study Center“Hooray for these young friends who work together; this diverse crew will have readers looking forward to more.” —Kirkus Reviews"The humor is spot-on, and the stories pull kids in, teaching without preaching, encouraging children to be active problem-solvers in their own lives." —Dr. Dawn Huebner, Ph. D., child psychologist and creator of the What-to-Do Guides for Kids series

In the third adventure in Nicole C. Kear''s sweet chapter book series, it’s up to the Fix-It Friends to help the star of the school play prepare for opening night.Because reading isn’t always as easy as ABC.It’s a dream come true! Veronica’s playing the Queen of Hearts in the school play. It’s perfect: She gets to be a star and scream her head off! Even better, she makes an amazing new friend. Liv, who’s playing Alice, is a natural—it seems there’s nothing she can’t do! That is, until she reveals to Veronica that reading is really hard for her. To learn her lines, she’s going to need a lot of help.That’s the cue for the Fix-It Friends! With Jude working on sets, Cora on costumes, Ezra on stage lights, and Veronica by her side on stage, Liv is surrounded by just the right crew to help her get ready for opening night.After all, the show must go on! Told in Veronica’s charismatic, enthusiastic, and funny voice, The Show Must Go On is the third book in The Fix-It Friends series, which makes childhood issues accessible for chapter book readers. Includes a toolbox of expert advice on how to approach reading challenges!Don’t miss the other Fix-It Friends adventures: The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!The Fix-It Friends: Sticks and StonesThe Fix-It Friends: Wish You Were HereThe Fix-It Friends: Eyes on the PrizeThe Fix-It Friends: Three’s a CrowdAn Imprint BookPraise for The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!: "Fears are scary! But don’t worry: the Fix-It Friends are here with step-by-step help —and humor too.”—Fran Manushkin, author of the Katie Woo series“Full of heart and more than a little spunk” —Kathleen Lane, author of The Best Worst ThingAn empowering resource for kids — and they''re just plain fun to read.” —Lauren Knickerbocker, Ph.D., Co-Director, Early Childhood Service, NYU Child Study Center“Hooray for these young friends who work together; this diverse crew will have readers looking forward to more.” —Kirkus Reviews"The humor is spot-on, and the stories pull kids in, teaching without preaching, encouraging children to be active problem-solvers in their own lives." —Dr. Dawn Huebner, Ph. D., child psychologist and creator of the What-to-Do Guides for Kids series

A touching story of friendship, grief, and healing - perfect for young readers navigating life''s challenges.Because losing a loved one is hard.Ziggy isn''t just a pet guinea pig. He''s a rock star, a friend, and a part of Ezra''s family. So when he dies, Ezra is more upset than Veronica has ever seen him. She can''t just sit back and watch a friend suffer. Something must be done! Laughter is the best medicine, so tons of fun is just what the Fix-It Friends order.But when nothing seems to shake Ezra''s sadness, the Fix-It crew learns that grief isn''t something to get around, but something to get through. And with good friends by his side, Ezra will do just that.Accessible and funny, the fourth book in The Fix-It Friends series by Nicole C. Kear handles a sensitive topic with lots of heart.Includes a toolbox of expert advice on how to deal with loss.Don''t miss the other Fix-It Friends adventures:The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!The Fix-It Friends: Sticks and StonesThe Fix-It Friends: The Show Must Go OnThe Fix-It Friends: Eyes on the PrizeThe Fix-It Friends: Three''s a CrowdAn Imprint BookPraise for The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!:"Fears are scary! But don''t worry: the Fix-It Friends are here with step-by-step help —and humor too."—Fran Manushkin, author of the Katie Woo series"Full of heart and more than a little spunk"—Kathleen Lane, author of The Best Worst Thing"An empowering resource for kids — and they''re just plain fun to read."—Lauren Knickerbocker, Ph.D., Co-Director, Early Childhood Service, NYU Child Study Center"Hooray for these young friends who work together; this diverse crew will have readers looking forward to more." —Kirkus Reviews"The humor is spot-on, and the stories pull kids in, teaching without preaching, encouraging children to be active problem-solvers in their own lives." —Dr. Dawn Huebner, Ph. D., child psychologist and creator of the What-to-Do Guides for Kids series

Because paying attention can be tricky.Veronica Conti’s on a mission. She wants a trophy. She needs a trophy. She will not rest until a glorious golden trophy is in her hands! So when her school’s 100 Day Contest is announced, Veronica vows to take home the grand prize. But when Veronica gets teamed up with none other than Matthew Sawyer, her biggest enemy, she thinks all hope is lost. Matt gets distracted and has a history of losing stuff, not to mention that he and Veronica can’t stop arguing. To win the prize, Matt needs to organize. And to do that, he needs the Fix It Friends! Together, the friends help Matt and Veronica discover that unexpected friendship is the best prize of all. Eyes on the Prize is the fifth adventure in this funny and relatable chapter book series that teaches emotional intelligence. It includes tools to stay focused, which are applicable for kids with ADD and ADHD. Includes a toolbox of expert advice on how to pay attention! Don’t miss the other Fix-It Friends adventures: The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!The Fix-It Friends: Sticks and StonesThe Fix-It Friends: The Show Must Go OnThe Fix-It Friends: Wish You Were HereThe Fix-It Friends: Three’s a CrowdAn Imprint BookPraise for The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!: "Fears are scary! But don’t worry: the Fix-It Friends are here with step-by-step help —and humor too.”—Fran Manushkin, author of the Katie Woo series“Full of heart and more than a little spunk” —Kathleen Lane, author of The Best Worst ThingAn empowering resource for kids — and they''re just plain fun to read.” —Lauren Knickerbocker, Ph.D., Co-Director, Early Childhood Service, NYU Child Study Center“Hooray for these young friends who work together; this diverse crew will have readers looking forward to more.” —Kirkus Reviews

Because no one likes to feel left out.Friends are like sprinkles on a birthday cake—you can never have too many! So when a new girl named Margot joins the class, Veronica and her BFF, Cora, welcome her with open arms. Everything about Margot is super exciting— from her fashion designer mom to the perfect French she speaks—and everyone loves her. Especially Cora. Before long, Cora and Margot have matching outfits and rhyming nicknames. Veronica feels left out, big time, but she won’t give up on her best friend without a fight. Trouble is, the harder she tries to hold on to Cora, the more she pushes her away—until the two besties end up in a showdown that hurts more than just feelings. It’s a job for the Fix-It Friends, to be sure. But can the president of the problem-solvers accept help herself? Three’s a Crowd is the sixth installment in this laugh-out-loud chapter book series starring a precocious and loveable heroine. It includes the Fix-It Friends Toolbox, filled with advice to handle changes in friendships.Don’t miss the other Fix-It Friends adventures: The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!The Fix-It Friends: Sticks and StonesThe Fix-It Friends: The Show Must Go OnThe Fix-It Friends: Wish You Were HereThe Fix-It Friends: Eyes on the PrizeAn Imprint BookPraise for The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!: "Fears are scary! But don’t worry: the Fix-It Friends are here with step-by-step help —and humor too.”—Fran Manushkin, author of the Katie Woo series“Full of heart and more than a little spunk” —Kathleen Lane, author of The Best Worst ThingAn empowering resource for kids — and they''re just plain fun to read.” —Lauren Knickerbocker, Ph.D., Co-Director, Early Childhood Service, NYU Child Study Center“Hooray for these young friends who work together; this diverse crew will have readers looking forward to more.” —Kirkus Reviews

At nineteen years old, Nicole C. Kear''s biggest concern is choosing a major—until she walks into a doctor''s office in midtown Manhattan and gets a life-changing diagnosis. She is going blind, courtesy of an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, and has only a decade or so before lights-out. Instead of making preparations as the doctor suggests, Kear decides to carpe diem and make the most of the vision she has left. She joins a circus school, tears through boyfriends, travels the world, and through all these high jinks, she keeps her vision loss a secret.

When Kear becomes a mother, just a few years shy of her vision''s expiration date, she amends her carpe diem strategy, giving up recklessness in order to relish every moment with her kids. Her secret, though, is harder to surrender—and as her vision deteriorates, harder to keep hidden. As her world grows blurred, one thing becomes clear: no matter how hard she fights, she won''t win the battle against blindness. But if she comes clean with her secret, and comes to terms with the loss, she can still win her happy ending.

Told with humor and irreverence, Now I See You is an uplifting story about refusing to cower at life''s curveballs, about the power of love to triumph over fear. But at its core, it''s a story about acceptance: facing the truths that just won''t go away and facing yourself, broken parts and all.