Barbara Mis Kelly has a gift for turning everyday childhood moments into stories that sparkle with warmth humor and gentle wisdom. Inspired by her grandchildren, she has created a collection of children’s books that celebrate the joys, curiosities, and challenges of growing up.
Her latest release, I Lost My Tooth!, playfully follows a little girl through the many ways she loses her baby teeth, including one that truly gets lost. With a keepsake journal at the end, young readers are invited to record their own tooth-losing adventures, making the story interactive and personal.
In Is It Chocolate? Barbara captures the delicious determination of a little boy who can sniff out chocolate anywhere.
I’m Too Full! offers a lighthearted yet meaningful reminder about the importance of healthy eating, told from the perspective of a spirited young girl as she is offered a variety of tempting and nutritious foods.
Barbara’s first book, Let’s Go to Church! is a unique ABC guide to Mass illustrated entirely by children in grades three through eight, creating a book that is both playful and reverent.
Barbara grew up in Chicago with a lifelong love of reading, poetry, and storytelling. She earned her BA from the University of Illinois and her MA in Government from Georgetown University. She taught high school government and history classes for several years. Then while raising her family she continued her commitment as a volunteer to her community, the schools, and her parish, earning recognition as Parent Volunteer of the Year in Irvine, CA, and Catholic Woman of the Year at Mater Dei HS.
Barbara worked as the Development Director for a parochial school in California for 14 years. She transitioned then to Indiana in order to develop parent programs at the University of Notre Dame.
After retiring, Barbara opened Baba Books LLC, beginning a joyful new ‘chapter’ of her life as a children’s author. Today, through her stories, she continues to share the wonder of childhood and the power of imagination with families everywhere.
