PORTLAND, Maine — Ashlee Ridlon first started writing children's books after her daughter, Avery, was diagnosed with FPIES, or Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome. The rare food allergy affects the gastrointestinal tract and causes symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy hours after a trigger food is eaten.
Ridlon, a University of Southern Maine graduate who grew up in Maine, looked for children's books that would help Avery feel less alone in her journey with the diagnosis. When she didn't find any, she decided to write one herself. That experience propelled her into writing a slew of other books for kids.
Her latest book is called 'The Mermaid Who Sang to the Stars' and it tells the story of a young mermaid who wants to be a scientist one day. The book was illustrated by