Alysson Foti Bourque

Multi-award-winning author, Alysson Foti Bourque, is the author and creator of The Alycat Series, a children's book series that teaches real-life lessons that all children can relate to. Each story focuses on problem-solving techniques with the use of imagination, creativity, and friendship. Alysson began her career as a teacher after graduating from University of Louisiana Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education. She furthered her education by earning a Juris Doctor law degree from the Southern University Law Center in 2007, at the same time co-owning a successful oilfield equipment company. After practicing law for six years, it was time to trade in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books. Alysson enjoys speaking with children and teachers at school and library visits with the life-size Alycat mascot and hopes to inspire people to believe in themselves, their work, and to keep writing stories. AWARDS & HONORS • Featured in the Oscars Celebrity Swag Bags (2020) • NY Big Book Award • 4x Mom’s Choice Award • Next Generation Indie Book Award SERIES(FICTION) • Benjamin Franklin Digital Award • Best Book Award Finalist • Readers Favorite Award • Kirkus Reviews • Midwest Book Review • Booklife Reviews by Publisher’s Weekly • Readers’ Favorite Review/5-Star Rating • Story Monster Approved • “Hot New Release in Children’s Values” books by Amazon (January 2020) • Featured in Boston Herald, USA Today, National Examiner, The Advocate, The Daily Advertiser, Baltimore News Journal, Atlanta News Journal, Chicago News Journal, Business-PR News, Los Angeles News Journal, The Daily Courier, International Business Times, Minneapolis News Journal, Shanghai Mirror, SNJ, Nashville News Journal, Star Tribune, Singapore Roundup • Louisiana Book Festival and Southern Festival of Books Featured Author • Writer’s Guild of Lafayette Presenter • Lafayette Public Library Presenter • Mom’s Club Luncheon Presenter for Academy of the Sacred Heart • Alycat the Mascot has performed as the opening act at the Kidz Bop concert and at the UL Lafayette Football Tailgating Pre-Party • Special Guest at Sonic Christmas Parade • Weekly News Contributor for KidLit Picks on News15 (Fox) • Lafayette Public Library Featured Author • Alysson has written original songs for the Alycat series that can be found on iTunes, Apple Music, and YouTube and stories can be read along with the Shark Tank featured app, Novel Effect and Times Best Invention app, Caribu. • Life-size Alycat the Mascot costume that attends all author signing events • The entire series featured in the 2020 Oscars Celebrity Gift Bags! ENDORSEMENTS Youtube Storytime by Celebrity Stylist Lindsey Dupuis Bledsoe • Thank You letter from Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge • Virtual Storytime by First Lady of Louisiana, Donna Edwards • Thank You post by Gia Poeme, Former Bella on The Young and the Restless • Thank You letter from Joanna Gaines • Featured on Lilly Melgar's Instagram, Emmy nominated Actress, Emmy winning Producer • Featured and reviewed by Young and the Restless star, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers) on Instagram