About The Author

Alice Mellivora is a dreamer, a storyteller, and a believer in quiet bravery. Born and raised in an underprivileged country, she didn’t grow up surrounded by books or notebooks. Paper was a rare luxury — just enough for school assignments — and pens were used sparingly. But her imagination knew no limits. As a little girl, she would complete entire stories in her mind, some unfolding in just a few hours, others taking days, weeks, or even months to finish. Her mind became the page, and silence became her narrator.

In a childhood shaped by hardship, displacement, and war, Alice found refuge in the worlds she created. When life grew overwhelming, she escaped inward — into stories. These inner worlds gave her comfort, purpose, and the strength to endure. She remembers begging the elders to tell her stories, especially the scary ones — tales whispered under the glow of kerosene lamps when electricity was a luxury most homes did not have. The stories gave her shivers, but also gave her joy. They made the darkness feel alive with possibility.

Years later, now living in America and raising two daughters of her own, Alice returned to storytelling — this time with pen and paper in hand. Palila: The Orion Warrior became the story she could no longer keep only in her head. It was too vivid, too meaningful, and too precious to remain unwritten. She wanted to create a tale that would encourage her daughters — and other young readers — to look more closely at nature, to wander through forests and gardens with curiosity, and to wonder about the unseen worlds hidden beneath leaves and roots.

Many of the characters in Palila are inspired by real plants, animals, and scientific names — chosen carefully, often from their original roots. The name “Palila” itself comes from a real but little-known bird native to Hawaii. It’s a beautiful, quiet bird with enchanting colors, and like so many creatures, it’s now endangered. Alice chose the name to honor the overlooked — to remind readers that even the ordinary can be magical when seen with wonder. Beyond imagination, Palila: The Orion Warrior is also a love letter to family — to roots, lineage, and the invisible threads that tie us to those who came before. But even for readers who don’t feel that connection, nature becomes the guide. Through vivid descriptions and sensory moments, Alice invites young readers to step outside, to listen to the wind, to watch the sky, and to remember that even in stillness, something powerful stirs.

Alice Mellivora writes imaginative worlds where silence speaks and leaves crunch beneath your feet. Her storytelling blends magic with emotion, drawing readers into hidden realms, quiet transformations, and the quiet strength of a girl discovering who she truly is.