Press Kit: Biography











Matt Pelicano: Writer, Speaker, Musician

Matt Pelicano was born near Syracuse, New York and by age 10 was already writing poems, lyrics, music, and stories. At the age of 17, Matt published his first compilation of poetry, followed by a second a year later. At age 18, Matt’s poetry was featured with a centerfold spread in the New York Span and numerous inclusions in the monthly poetry journal, Omnific. One of Matt’s children’s books, Philbert LaRue had a Hole in his Shoe, has been compared with the works of Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. 

Matt's latest novel targets a middle school-aged (and older!) audience. The result of almost two years-worth of onsite research and set in Paris, France, A Butterfly in Paris is an adventure story, a travel guide, and a French language primer all rolled into one!

One of Matt's children’s novels, Tabouli: The Story of a Heart-Driven Diabetes Alert Dog, seeks to raise awareness of diabetes alert dogs and the vital work they perform, while encouraging those suffering with juvenile diabetes to always “follow the adventure” and live life to the fullest. 

Recommended by world-renown dog trainer, Debby Kay, “Tabouli perfectly captures the spirit and journey of a remarkable service dog.” “Tabouli” has been nominated for three awards by the Dog Writer’s Association of America. 

Matt has received nationwide media attention for his writing. Some of this press coverage can be seen at this link.

From his youth, Matt has always loved the poetry of E.E. Cummings, Shel Silverstein, TS Eliot, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, and William Shakespeare. His literary heroes include JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Oscar Wilde, Agatha Christie and David McCullough.

A widower, Matt has three grown children, Andy, Joey and Megan, and lives in Greenville, SC with his family of three people, five cats, and one dog, Freya.