About the Guest(s):

• Marvin, Sharon, and Dana Fialco are the authors of the Starbella book series.
• Tara Fialco, the daughter of Marvin and Sharon, is the inspiration behind the series.
• Tara exhibited a surprising musical talent from a young age and later received a diagnosis of autism.
• Tara went on to earn a degree in early childhood education and is a self-taught pianist and composer.
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Episode Summary: In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Marvin, Sharon, and Dana Fialco, the authors of the Starbella book series. The series is based on the real-life experiences of Tara Fialco, who showed incredible musical talent from a young age but faced challenges due to her autism. The Fialco family shares their journey of discovering Tara’s talent, navigating her social challenges, and advocating for inclusion and acceptance. The Starbella books aim to inspire children to embrace their uniqueness and create a more accepting world. The episode explores the power of music, the bond between siblings, and the importance of empathy and understanding.

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/ufMoYRvqHXdtmOBWNatlVu8uMP8

Key Takeaways:

• The Starbella book series is based on the real-life experiences of Tara Fialco, a talented musician with autism.
• Tara’s music became a way for her to express her feelings and communicate when words failed her.
• The books aim to create a more inclusive and accepting world by teaching children empathy and understanding.
• Dana Fialco, Tara’s sister, shares her perspective on growing up with a sibling with autism and the valuable life lessons she learned.
• The Fialco family hopes to continue the Starbella series and spread awareness of the benefits of inclusion.
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Resources:

Website: https://starabella.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/starrysays

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starabellabooks

Listen to the full episode on Think Inclusive and gain insights into the power of music, the importance of empathy, and the journey of a family advocating for inclusion and acceptance. Stay tuned for more enlightening conversations on the podcast.

Think Inclusive: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/

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