Sometimes it's fun to look back and see how all the pieces of your story fit together.
Years ago, while living in South Florida and running my private practice, I was interviewed by VoyageMIA. They recently invited me to share an update, and it was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many twists and turns my career has taken.
From my early days as a special education teacher to my work in child development, autism, and clinical learning and development, one theme has remained constant: helping children feel understood, connected, and capable.
And somewhere along the way, those experiences—combined with more than 20 years of South Florida hurricane seasons—became the inspiration for Hurry the Hurricane.
What began as a series of social stories to help children understand and prepare for hurricanes eventually grew into a children's picture book. Hurry the Hurricane helps young readers learn what hurricanes are, what to expect before, during, and after a storm, and how they can participate in preparing alongside their families. Through honest, age-appropriate explanations and reassuring illustrations, the story aims to replace some of the uncertainty surrounding hurricanes with understanding, empowerment, and confidence.
In the interview, I share more about my professional journey, the challenges of navigating transitions, and how those early social stories eventually became my first published children's book.
I'm grateful to VoyageMIA for the opportunity to share my story again, especially as Hurry the Hurricane prepares to make its debut on November 10, 2026!
Read the full interview: Check Out Jennie Trocchio's Story – VoyageMIA
Learn more about the book: Hurry the Hurricane