Lorelli’s children’s book travels a touching road

Mike Lorelli has had many business successes. He’s dreamed up creative ways to get more Americans to drink Pepsi, and he’s helped spread Pizza Hut restaurants around the globe. Along the way he’s racked up hundreds of thousands of frequent-flier miles.

But one of his greatest accomplishments is writing a children’s book on the challenges families face when a spouse travels. His book, “Traveling Again, Dad?” features the artwork of noted illustrator Drew Struzan, who created the art for movies posters for such Stephen Spielberg hits as “E.T.” and “Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.”

It’s a delightful book. The illustrations are lovely, and the story is moving.

Lorelli, currently CEO and president of Latex International, a latex producer based in Shelton, Conn., got inside the head of the family’s pet hamster, called Awesome, to tell the story.

Awesome says, “We’re all a little sad, ’cause Dad needs to go away for a whole week.” He notes that dad “explained that being away from the family now and then was part of his job. Lots of moms and dads have to travel for work.”

The book shows how families can find positives when a spouse is on the road. The kids, Karen and Bethy, learn about geography by following their dad’s travels on a map on the refrigerator. Mom shows them how to send dad a fax at his hotel.

The touching fax is reproduced in the book. It’s the kind of hand-written message from our kids that we should all keep near our desks at work.

(A great drawing of a sunny summer day, done by my talented son Rob when he was in elementary school, still occupies a key spot in my cubicle.)

The story has a happy ending when dad comes home and says: “It’s hard to be away from you guys. But it’s always great to get home to all of you.”

Awesome the hamster has now moved on to hamster heaven, but Lorelli’s book, written in 1996, remains available from online booksellers. Lorelli and Struzan continue to donate proceeds to children’s charities.

It can be hard on our families when we travel. It’s nice to see a book turn some of those travel lemons into lemonade.  (to view or add public comments click on "Add your Comment" below, or to email Dave directly click here.)