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Mary Jean DeSantis
Author
Mary Jean DeSantis, a life-long dog lover, is a retired elementary school speech-language pathologist. She experienced first-hand the benefits reading has on a child’s communication, social, and literacy skills.
Throughout her career, Mary used hundreds of children’s books, as well as two special therapy dogs, Abby and Hazel, to target speech and language goals in a fun, engaging, and meaningful way.
She is excited to share her first book with children and their families. Mary lives in her hometown of Glens Falls, NY.
Anthony Richichi
Illustrator
Anthony Richichi is an award-winning illustrator and painter from Upstate New York who has showcased his work in museums and national art publications throughout the world.
Where Are You, Alfie? is Anthony’s fourteenth illustrated children’s book with Saratoga Springs Publishing since he joined as lead illustrator in 2020. Some of his other books include Colorworld, which he also wrote, and the 6x award-winning Witches, Bats, and Mystical Cats. Anthony also works in the theater, film, and music industries where he’s done artwork with clients such as Marvel, 20th Century Fox, and his award-winning music group, Lock 9.
Most recently he was commissioned by the City of Glens Falls to paint an Adirondack Chair that is being permanently displayed in Japan as part of their 35th Anniversary of the Sister Cities program.
Currently residing in his Adirondack art studio, he is lovingly surrounded by books, musical instruments, and lots of paintings.
Awarding Winning
Where are You, Alfie? has won the Outstanding Creator Award for Best Children's Book in the
2023 Clash of the Champions. Where are You, Alfie? was also ranked in the top 25 children's books, according to the Outstanding Creator Awards, 2024.
The Where Are You, Alfie? Coloring & Activity Book won the Outstanding Creator Award for Coloring & activity book. It was awarded first place in this category.
The critics described the book as " a wonderful, beautiful, emotional, and compelling feel-good story about actual, incredible, real-life events!"
Read the complete review from the Outstanding Creator Awards here.
Civil War Monument
Glens Falls Bandstand
Revolving Clock
Massive ADK Chair
Hyde Museum
Glens Falls Trolley
A Note from the Author
When I heard that a dog went missing from a doggie day care in my hometown, I just had to help. The owners of the dog were from Pittsburgh, PA and had no friends or family in the area. I wanted the family to remember Glens Falls as the city that found their dog, not the city that lost him.
Searching for Alfie was an unforgettable experience. A core group of strangers bonded and were determined to find the little dog. Morning till night, day after day, the search continued. After a few weeks, it was in the back of my mind that if Alfie was found safe, I would write a children’s book about the emotional roller coaster of events.
When Alfie went home to Pittsburgh, I wrote this story.
Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties rallied to help find Alfie!
Special thanks to the “East Enders” in Glens Falls, who eventually reunited Alfie with his family!
It took a village!
A helicopter searches for Alfie
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A helicopter searches for Alfie
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Featuring Steve Caporizzo. Special thanks to Josh Grassi.
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Alfie meets Watson the day after he was found.
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Alfie's abuela never gave up!
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Memorial Day Parade
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Alfie in the Memorial Day Parade
For more Alfie videos, click here.
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