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Sunday Author Spotlight: Author Lisa Caprelli on Her Book & Television Series ‘Unicorn Jazz’

(Last Updated On: December 12, 2021)

Today we are spotlighting author Lisa Caprelli. Caprelli saw education as a way to rise above her humble beginnings. She was the first in her family to earn a college degree. Her love of writing led her to pen 17 books for which she has won many awards. Seeing a lack of books for children that include social-emotional learning components, Lisa changed her life and focus in 2018 to create the award-winning, children’s book series that follows a shy unicorn on adventures teaching empathy, kindness, love, belonging, and more.

The success of the book series led to the Amazon TV show Unicorn Jazz Presents The Thing I Do which Lisa both produces and directs. Lisa has made it her mission to make Unicorn Jazz accessible to educators to help expand children’s imaginations and inspire creativity and learning in the classroom. Lisa has been featured in Forbes Magazine, ABC News, CBS News, and USA Today.

When she is not working, Lisa devotes her time to charities, book drives, and children’s hospitals.  

Hi Lisa! It is our pleasure to feature you! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi! I am grateful to do what I have loved since I was a little shy girl and that is to write. Today I am proud to be a speaker, songwriter, and author. I have published a total of 18 books, and have produced music videos for kids. I am the author of the unicorn book series, Unicorn Jazz ™ which offers social-emotional learning of empathy, kindness, love, belonging, believing in others, feelings, and more. I also created Unicorn Jazz Presents The Thing I Do – a family show on Amazon TV and on KIDSBEETV

Authors are known to be big readers. What was your favorite reading spot when you were younger?

I enjoyed going to the local or school library to read books.

The perfect spot! What were some of your favorite authors and books growing up?

As a child, I loved all Syd Hoff books. I enjoy so many today like Man’s Search for Meaning, The Kite Runner, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Christian romance novels.

Who or what inspired you to write?

I was inspired by Sesame Street, Buggs Bunny, and a variety of comic books. I was inspired to write since I was 7 years old, as I found it an outlet to escape and dive into fantasy and fiction, into imagination and a place to explore thoughts, feelings, and emotions. 

Share with us about your writing journey.

Growing up, I often journaled and found my favorite classes and essays to be well received and praised by teachers and professors. Entering the workforce and writing, once again, helped catapult me whether it be writing the company brochure, marketing message, or storyboarding a video’s vision.  Pretty much, to me, writing is the basis for every media piece, marketing message, social media description, movie, books, and more. I cannot imagine a world without writing and creativity.

Now let’s talk about Unicorn Jazz, the inspiration behind it, and what it means to you. 

Unicorn Jazz represents that we are UNIQUE, hence the closeness to the word unicorn. I was inspired to create Unicorn Jazz as a book series and brand it to help children believe in themselves, to do more of the things they love to do, to believe in others, and to share happiness, kindness, and joy through music, stories, songs, and educational entertainment. Unicorn Jazz has a music note for a tail, which is why her talent is singing.  In the first story, Unicorn Jazz moves to a new land in search of new friends and feels she doesn’t belong until she meets a crow named Woof who hears her singing and encourages her to be bold and brave. She shows off her talent of singing to the animals who once snubbed her and they all want to play with her.  She makes friends and everyone is happy.  It teaches the power of belonging and sharing your God-given talents.

Awesome! What is Unicorn Jazz’s mission? How has it evolved and grown? 

I was inspired by Sesame Street and books that were a series growing up. Unicorn Jazz’s mission is to help kids smile, create and believe.  Unicorn Jazz has been described as a movement in inspiring kids and adults to be unique, share their talents, and help others along the way.

What sort of feedback have you received from Unicorn Jazz? What does it mean to you?

My virtual author visits have been described as an entertaining movie by kids. I enjoy seeing children, parents, and teachers using Unicorn Jazz in the classroom and at home.  I love hearing how much their kids love the stories, music videos, songs, and learning curriculum or coloring pages we have for year-round learning. 

You have achieved so much. What’s next for you? What is something you haven’t done that is on your career bucket list?

I am proud to be a Forbes contributor this year.  I want to turn my stories and characters into an animation series.  I want to license Unicorn Jazz as the brand continues to grow.  I just launched Unicorn Jazz Help and Give Back Book and song. Our next book is called Unicorn Jazz and the Fairy Taco.  It is a silly and fun story that takes place in my hometown of El Pasom, Texas.  Since I am Latina, it will have Spanish and cultural references. I want to continue developing more episodes for my show series: Unicorn Jazz Presents The Thing I Do.  Currently, my kid’s show can be found on Amazon TV and KidsBeeTV.

What’s the single most important advice you would give to someone in regards to pursuing your dreams?

Be kind to others along the way of manifesting your dream.  Be humble and vulnerable in letting others know your “why.”  Don’t sugarcoat it. People like to help people who are true to themselves and their purpose in helping others.

Thanks, Lisa!

Kenyan

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