Diane Mendell

Diane Mendell (Alber) is an Arizona-based author, illustrator, and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping kids grow in confidence, mindset, and teamwork. With over a decade of experience in both self publishing and traditional publishing, she has created dozens of children’s books used by families, educators, and schools around the world, including the widely recognized A Little SPOT series, which helps children identify and manage their emotions while building important life skills.

As a wife and mother of two, Diane draws much of her inspiration from her children and everyday moments. She is very involved in her local community, where she coaches two youth basketball teams that her children are also on. Through both her coaching and creative work, she focuses on helping kids build confidence, develop resilience, and understand the value of teamwork on and off the court.

Her latest work, inspired by her own experience with dyslexia and the challenges she faced learning to read, is the Key Chapter book series, a collection of illustrated chapter books designed to be more accessible and confidence-building for young readers, including those with dyslexia.

Diane lives in Arizona with her family and their three dogs, and remains committed to helping kids believe in themselves, work hard, and enjoy the process of learning and growing.