About the Creators

Julie Anne, Wendy & Giovanni

Julie Anne Cooper and Wendy Brant met at their work in the real estate industry in 2019. One year, during a holiday party, Julie Anne surprised Wendy with a beautiful watercolor picture she hand painted for her as a gift. From this simple, random act of kindness, this Mitzvah, a deeper friendship was born. They discovered a similar passion - a desire to write children's books. From that moment, the Bonta Friends project took flight. Together with their brilliant artist, Giovanni Lombardi, they brought to life their first book featuring the lovable character: Hanukkah Veronica, the Mitzvah Fairy. It is their sincere hope that their message of kindness inspires your family and the world for years to come.

Julie Anne Cooper was raised in a small coastal town in South Alabama. She moved to Atlanta in 1990 where she met her husband and married into the Jewish faith. She currently resides in North Atlanta with her three children, Fisher, Joseph and Lucy. Hanukkah Veronica was a rag doll lovingly created by Julie Anne when her daughter Lucy, then only 5 years old, longed for a holiday companion. Julie Anne is an artist and is happiest when she is sharing her talents with others.

Wendy Brant was born in Montreal, Canada. She was raised in the Jewish faith by her parents, but has long admired and enjoyed many of the world’s holiday traditions. Since 2010, she and her husband Rob, and their three children Sabrina, Jordan and Cameron, have called North Atlanta, Georgia home. Whether it is improving her culinary skills, designing unique products or a completing a brand new children’s book, she is happiest when she is creating. Most importantly, she aspires to spend every day surrounded by her wonderful family and incredible friends.

Giovanni Lombardi was born in Turin, in a city located in the northwest Italy, where he currently lives and works. He has been involved in graphics and illustration professionally for many years and has collaborated with many publishers in the role of illustrator. He loves astronomy, comics, art exhibitions, cinema, books and traveling. He likes to spend his free time devoting himself to his passion and together with the people he loves.

Special Thanks to Rabbi Levi Mentz, Congregation Beth Israel, Forsyth County, Georgia

The accuracy of the historical elements of the Hanukkah Veronica, The Mitzvah Fairy, are due to the kindness of Rabbi Levi Mentz and his incredible wife Chaish. We appreciate the time they took to review our work and ensure that every line was age appropriate and accurate.

Philanthropy

As you share in the joy and magic of Hanukkah Veronica with your family, please note that a portion of all the proceeds will work to bring joy to others. In years past, we supported the Scholarship Program for Juda Education at the new Chabad located in Forsyth County, Georgia.

The Best of Our World

Our Mission

It’s simple.

To celebrate the people, the cultures and the traditions

of the world through a message of kindness and love.

Magical. Beautiful. Meaningful.

With your help, our journey will begin with

Hanukkah Veronica, but it will not end there.

We hope to continue the series with new titles soon Through heart-warming stories, our international characters will highlight the beauty of Christmas, Kwanzaa, Diwali, and Halloween, just to name a few.

The Bonta Friend’s stories highlight the beauty of kindness, and reminds us how every Mitzvah, every act of love, no matter the religion, race, country or creed, has the power to transform lives. Through a lovable and huggable cast of characters, the book series will allow both children and adults to discover wonderful holiday traditions from around the globe, while encouraging us all to start each day with a giving heart.

We hope to introduce new international characters and feature the many joyful events that occur annually worldwide. At the end of each book, children will explore an educational section, including a brief history of the holiday and its origin, as well as all the traditional symbols and their meanings.

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