Welcome to the world of Emily Chetkowski, author of true stories, children's books, and historical memoirs.
For more than three decades, Emily has shared stories that celebrate the people, animals, and events that shape our lives. From the adventures of Mabel the ferry dog to the remarkable World War II experiences of Staff Sergeant Emilio J. DiPalma, her books bring history, courage, and unforgettable characters to life for readers of all ages.
Thank you for visiting, and enjoy exploring the stories.
Author of the Award winning book *Mabel Takes the Ferry, Emily Chetkowski's first book was based on the real life adventure of her dog Mabel, who wandered onto the Islesboro Ferry one day when the family went sailing in Penobscot Bay, Maine from their island home. They didn't know Mabel had followed them to the ferry landing, near where their boat, the "Off Call", was moored. When they returned they couldn't find Mabel anywhere on the island.
Well after dark, they got a phone call from someone on the mainland who knew where she was.
This required an adventure to bring her home and Mabel got what she wanted all along....
Soon it was Mabel who took Emily on the most amazing journey of her life. into the world of children's books, school visits, workshops, and presentations. Emily & Mabel met tens of thousands of children and adults all over New England and beyond.
*Mabel Takes the Ferry was recognized as one of twenty-seven children’s books selected to represent Maine children’s literature. The book is permanently honored in granite as part of the children’s garden sculpture at the Camden Public Library, where Mabel appears alongside beloved classics such as Charlotte’s Web and works by distinguished Maine authors including Louise Dickinson Rich, Barbara Cooney, Robert McCloskey, Dahlov Ipcar, and Ethel Pochocki.
At a large book-signing event, Emily had the opportunity to meet Ethel Pochocki, one of her literary heroes. Well into her eighties, Pochocki greeted Emily warmly and told her how much she admired her classic Maine writing style, a style she feared was becoming rare. She encouraged Emily to continue writing in that tradition. Deeply honored by the compliment, Emily promised that she would. The two spent a long time talking together, creating a memory Emily has treasured ever since.
My journey as an author
My writing journey began more than thirty years ago and has taken me in many unexpected directions. Over the years, I have written children’s books inspired by true stories, life on a Maine island, beloved animals, and the people and places that have shaped my life.
My first book, Mabel Takes the Ferry, became an award-winning title and was later recognized as one of twenty-seven books selected to represent Maine children’s literature at the Camden Public Library’s children’s garden. Since then, I have continued to write stories that celebrate history, family, animals, and the enduring connections between people and place.
My newest work, Just A Kid: From the Front Lines to Nürnberg, tells the remarkable story of my father, Staff Sergeant Emilio J. DiPalma, who served as a front-line infantryman during World War II before becoming a courtroom guard at the Nuremberg Trials. Drawing upon interviews, photographs, documents, and restored recordings, the book preserves both an important chapter of history and a family’s effort to ensure that those memories are never forgotten.
Whether writing about a Newfoundland Pony, a ferry-riding dog, or a young soldier caught up in world-changing events, my goal has always been the same: to tell authentic stories that inform, inspire, and endure.
