Maine author encourages kids to follow their dreams in new children's book

[Education](/section/education) Maine author encourages kids to follow their dreams in new children's book Ashlee Ridlon is an educator and children's book author from Maine. Her new book is called "The Mermaid Who Sang to the Stars."   Author: Samantha York (NEWS CENTER Maine) PORTLAND, Maine — Ashlee Ridlon first started writing children's books after her daughter, Avery, was diagnosed with FPIES, or Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome. The rare food allergy affects the gastrointestinal tract and causes symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy hours after a trigger food is eaten. Ridlon, who grew up in Maine and graduated from the University of Southern Maine, looked for children's books that would help Avery feel less alone in her journey with the diagnosis. When she didn't find any, she decided to write one herself. That experience propelled her into writing a slew of other books for kids.  Her latest book is called "The Mermaid Who Sang to the Stars." It tells the story of a young mermaid who wants to be a scie... --- *Note: This is a summarized excerpt. Click the source link above to read the full story.*