By Paula Katinas and Katie Vasquez
WOODSIDE — Although Maryann McMahon is a retired school teacher and no longer in the classroom, she’s still teaching kids. But now, rather than telling students to crack open books, she’s writing them.
McMahon, who retired in 2021, is the author of eight self-published children’s books that are infused with life lessons such as tolerance, acceptance, and loving one’s neighbor.
Her latest, “Starky Star Soars Through the Solar System,” came out in September, and she’s already working on a sequel featuring Starky and some of his friends.
“I feel like I always had this calling to write children’s books and to just go out and spread good news, spread kindness, spread love, helping others (with) compassion and empathy,” McMahon explained over hamburgers at Donovan’s Pub in Woodside.
The choice of restaurant was no accident. Not only is it one of McMahon’s favorite places to eat, but one of her books, “A Special Present From Puddles,” was illustrated by Jimmy Jacobson, the co-owner of the pub. Jacobson worked in graphic design and engineering for more than 20 years before going into the restaurant business.
He bought part ownership of Donovan’s Pub 12 years ago. McMahon was showing him some of her books one day and he volunteered his services. “I just said, ‘You know, I’m an artist myself. … Maybe I could do your next book,’ ” Jacobson recalled telling her.
McMahon’s seven other books, including her first, “Vinnie and Vicki — The Vibrant Viruses,” published in 2018, were illustrated by her friend, and art teacher, Agata Olszewska.
McMahon, who began her career teaching first grade Ascension School in Elmhurst in 1983, has also worked as a teacher and assistant principal at St. Raphael School in Long Island City and Holy Child Jesus Catholic Academy in Richmond Hill. She retired from St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Astoria in 2021.
McMahon has been writing children’s stories since the 1990s. It began as a fun hobby — something to entertain herself and others. However, a friend eventually convinced her to publish her work, and she released her first book seven years ago.
Since then, she has published one book a year, all containing brightly colored illustrations and clever titles like, “Bundles and Buttons Bravely Face Their Fears,” “Bundles Baffles a Bully on Halloween,” and “Toothy, the Tenderhearted Tooth.”
“In all the books, there’s also these educational parts. I try to have the characters help each other because I just feel that that just makes it very cohesive,” said McMahon, whose books are available on Amazon. “It’s just nice when one character is helping someone who’s having a hard time.”
She said she particularly enjoys visiting the Diocese of Brooklyn schools to read her books aloud and interact with students.
McMahon, a parishioner of St. Teresa Church in Woodside, said her Catholic faith drives much of what she does. “I’ve always had a strong belief in God,” McMahon said. “I always say to friends and neighbors, ‘Everything will work out. God will take care of us. Don’t worry.’ ”