profile
You just published a second book
called Searching for Good Luck.
What is it about?
My first book was all about believing in yourself. I’d just
left my job and was starting my own business, and that
theme was throughout the book. Now I have a mindset of
mindfulness and gratitude. I hope parents will start their day
by reading Searching for Good Luck to their kids. It’s about
enjoying and discussing feelings and emotions, and the
search within for happiness. I’m glad that, with the
pandemic, my book came out now when kids need this
message the most: Stop and be grateful for the little things
in life. Tapping into this moment is where real happiness
will be. Happiness is an inside job.
How have you publicized your book
amid the challenges of COVID-19?
I created the first episode of “Music, Movement, and
Mindfulness” with Miss Jolie and premiered it on YouTube.
I’ve posted performances of my songs on my website,
missjoliemusic.com; you can download songs there,
too. I do 45 minutes on Facebook Live every week. It’s
so much fun. I can see who comes on and say “Oh, hi,
Sophia, hi, Georgie.” You can engage kids in real time.
What are your plans for the future to
keep your positive message out there?
I want to keep putting out YouTube videos, because I
can reach kids beyond New Jersey that way. I like that I can
give parents something they can sit their kids in front of,
and they don’t need to feel guilty. I will continue to reach
kids without having to be there. But I’ll jump back into
live performances later — it gets addictive. I have so much
fun singing for kids, it makes me feel like a rock star. Kids
don’t care; I’m not a trained musician, but I bring energy
and excitement.
You’ve spent your whole life in
Wayne. What about the area do
you enjoy in particular?
What have you learned from working
with young children, and how has it
helped you as a parent?
When I am engaging with children, I notice how carefree,
present, and happy they are. They embody the pure and
simple joy that we all are capable of feeling (but it can be
harder as adults since our many responsibilities can take
over our minds). I also love how they don’t care about
looking silly or what other people are thinking while they
are dancing, being themselves, and having fun. My son
loves music and dancing, and he provides me with endless
inspiration. He calls me “Miss Jolie Mommy,” and makes me
realize leading by example is the No. 1 best way to teach
our children. ■
14
MAY 2020 WAYNE MAGAZINE
YOUNG AT HEART
(From top) Jolie Della Valle
with son Georgie and hus-
band George Van Peenen;
reaching for the stars with
her young audience; Della
Valle’s latest book, with
illustrations by Laurie
Tormollan; leading young
singers while playing the
guitar, an instrument she
taught herself to play.
It’s such a welcoming, loving community. My son goes
to Giggle and Grow, the school where I did my first per-
formance, and has the teacher I met at my book-signing
(he’s at home now that schools are closed). At the time, I
thought I would want my kid to go there, and now he does!