About the AuthorMariana is a Romanian children’s author and award-winning screenwriter, with a background in law and pedagogy. She is best known for The Friendship Collection, which includes The Travels of Stelian, The Hedgehog’s Heart, Read & Tell with Filip, and the workshop project School of Joy — stories and activities that nurture kindness, emotional intelligence, and the joy of giving.She grew up in a small Romanian village, surrounded by stories of resilience, hope, and quiet co