Danielle Dolce of West Windsor presents hand puppet characters, bubble blowing, water squirting, and ball throwing during her interactive presentations of “Where is Love?, her new book that teaches children that love can be found in obvious — as well as obscure places — and reminds adults to look for the positive qualities that life offers. She has already had storytelling and book signing events at Borders in Nassau Park and West Windsor Library. Her next event is at Chicklets Books in the Princeton Shopping Center on Saturday, August 28, at 4 p.m.
Danielle Dolce’s new journey began in 2000 after the unexpected loss of her son, Dominic, who died shortly after birth. Although it was a time of confusion and transformation, she made a promise to herself. “Deep in my heart I knew that after I picked up the pieces I would one day turn a tragedy into something positive,” she says. “Dominic left me with a gift of love so vast and beautiful that I wanted to share it with children from all around the world.”
She was inspired to self-publish the bookset, “Where is Love?” through her company, Universal Creations and donates 20 percent of sales to benefit children. “Love is non-denominational, multi-cultural, and the root of who we are as human beings,” she says. “My endeavor has no boundaries. I show children that we are all truly one regardless of race, religion or culture.”
Born and raised in Vineland, Dolce was the youngest of four children. Her oldest sister is 18 years older than her. “I learned that age difference is really just a number because I am very close with my siblings,” she says. “My parents always gave of themselves to friends and relatives even when they had nothing to give.”
Dolce graduated from Rowan College with degrees in both elementary education and psychology. She taught preschool and third grade before starting her family. Her husband, Nicholas Dolce, also from Vineland, is a wealth manager — currently in the process of starting his own wealth advisement business. He recently left his 19 year-position at JP Morgan Chase in New York City. They moved to West Windsor 10 years ago to make the commute easier for him. “Now that he is home he is enjoying his time with our family,” she says.
Their children are Nicolas,11, a student at Grover Middle School; Gabriel, 8, and Matthew, 6, both students at Dutch Neck School; and Arianna, 3, attends Little Friends Pre-school.
“Where is Love?” was initiated by her son Gabriel who asked if his illustration of a whale reminded her of love. “I told him it was beautiful and that it reminded me of the smack of a whale’s tail in a calm deep ocean,” she says. “Gabriel decided to hide tiny hearts within the picture for children to seek. He told me that it would remind children to always look for love.” His many illustrations led to the decision to create two volumes. “The message in the books is what got me through my darkest times,” Dolce says.
Dolce now spends her days reading her books to children in schools, hospitals, charities, and libraries. She performs the book using interactive hand puppets while integrating art with literature. The last page of the book asks children to draw their own rendition of where they find love. “Writing and drawing allows children to express emotion in an uninhibited setting,” Dolce says. She also uses the art for fundraising and sponsors art galas to help raise money. Artwork on apparel and note cards are available on her website, www.danielledolce.com.
“I always knew that my background as an educator combined with a degree in psychology would allow me to touch the lives of children,” she says. “I have always been intrigued by children because they are so open-minded and honest. Boundaries are non-existent and anything is possible in the mind of a child.”
— Lynn Miller
Storytelling Event, Chicklet Bookstore, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street. Saturday, August 28, 4 p.m. 609-279-2121. www.chickletbooks.com.
