Janice Milusich is a Teacher for the Visually Impaired and Blind at Alternatives For Children and a celebrated children’s author. She works with preschool students who are visually impaired or blind, supporting their learning, development, and sensory-rich experiences.

Janice recently published her picture book, I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea, illustrated by Chris Raschka and published by Penguin Random House in 2025. The book follows Neveah, a young blind girl exploring the changing seasons, inviting readers to experience the world through sound, touch, smell, and taste.

I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea has been honored as a Schneider Family Award Honor Book by the American Library Association, a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding artistic expression of the disability experience for children and adolescent audiences.  Judy Bradbury of Children’s Book Corner praised its lyrical storytelling and sensory-rich approach, noting that it supports social-emotional learning and helps children appreciate the world through all their senses.  A braille edition will be featured in the National Braille Press Children’s Braille Book Club in 2026, and it is included in the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, Braille Pals Program. 

Janice created an interactive storybox to accompany the book. Children can touch, smell, and hear these items while engaging with the story, practicing compensatory skills, and exploring the seasons.  Janice also shares readings of the book and storybox demonstrations through her YouTube channel, making her work accessible to families and educators. Janice has been featured in local newspapers and professional publications, and she regularly presents at schools, libraries, and community events.

Janice’s other works include the picture book Off Go Their Engines, Off Go Their Lights and the chapter book series Cleo’s Big Ideas. Her writing has appeared in Spider and Muse magazines.

Families and educators can learn more about Janice’s work and her book by visiting her website, viewing her YouTube readings and StoryBox activities, or attending one of her upcoming book readings across Long Island!