Julie Mammano, creator of popular children’s books

As a child, books intimidated author and illustrator Julie Mammano.

But now, at age 36, the creator of popular children’s books such as “Rhinos Who Surf” said she can’t put books down.

“I’m more of a reader now than I ever was,” said Mammano, a La Mirada resident.

Through high school she built up her vocabulary and graduated as valedictorian. But it was after finishing her art degree at Biola University that she discovered a love for books.

Embarking on her own writings in 1993 also fanned her penchant for reading.

“I hated reading as a kid,” Mammano said. “I wasn’t good at it. There were a lot of words I didn’t get. Reading was always real laborious, and drawing came much easier to me.”

As an adult reader now, she finds herself plowing through books ranging from “Jane Eyre” to contemporary work like Frank McCourt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Angela’s Ashes.”

In between working on her books, drawings, surfing and jewelry, Mammano speaks to children throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties about her writing and her avid reading.

Her message: “I used to think you had to be born into a special place to be smart or a great reader. But actually, you can develop it. When the going gets tough, just keep at it.”