GENEVA — Wilson “Corky” DeYulio’s lifetime has been crammed with schooling and physical fitness.
But that’s not all. The longtime educator and qualified private trainer dabbled in journalism for a spell and at a single time even performed semi-professional soccer in Syracuse. Now DeYulio can add creator to his listing of activities.
In actuality, DeYulio was influenced by Buffalo Costs linebacker Ray Bentley (who performed for the NFL group from 1985-91) — not only for his prowess on the gridiron, but also because he authored children’s publications.
“Here’s this man who’s a nuts gentleman on the subject, nevertheless he wrote a reserve,” DeYulio reported. “When I listened to about that I explained, ‘I can do that.’”
DeYulio, 64, first wrote “Berry the Parrot” about 25 years in the past. He tinkered with it now and all over again and occasionally sent the manuscript to publishing corporations.
“I went as a result of durations of attempting and not striving,” he mentioned. “It just got to this place where I claimed this is a great tale so I have got to continue to keep seeking.”
Thanks to a suggestion from Finger Lakes Situations Govt Editor Mike Cutillo, DeYulio’s endeavours finally yielded benefits previously this calendar year when Plan Press revealed the 26-web page e book geared toward 6- to 10-year-olds. The enterprise (www.ideapress-united states.com) also released Cutillo’s ebook “George Washing Machine, Portables and Submarine Races: My Italian-American Life” in 2019.
“If it weren’t for Mike … ,” DeYulio mentioned. “They jumped on it proper away.”
For the duration of his 36 yrs in instruction, DeYulio (a 1975 Geneva Higher graduate) has taught English and bodily training to young and older college students in the Finger Lakes, Rochester and Syracuse. All over his occupation he was exposed to countless numbers of children’s guides.
“That’s another factor that drove me. I reported, ‘Geez, I can do anything superior than this,’” he said.
DeYulio’s e-book chronicles Berry the parrot’s desire to no lengthier be a relatives pet and his wish to check out the exterior environment, exactly where “even the air felt and smelled in different ways.”
When indoors, Berry viewed the animals outside the house, jealous of their adventures. But after making an attempt to interact with them even with their aloofness toward him, he learned the outdoor animals have been jealous of him and the at ease lifetime he experienced as the Rose family’s pet parrot.
“’Jealousy can sure get in the way of issues,’ assumed Berry. ‘Jealousy can seriously modify someone and make everything glance unique.’”
The guide features colourful illustrations by Danny Jock and Dominic Campanile. DeYulio is intrigued in increasing the 1st e-book into a collection and has some suggestions circulating now he’s imagining the next installment will reveal how Berry acquired his title.
DeYulio drew from his possess loved ones for some of the names in the story. The Rose spouse and children is a nod to his mom, Rose, and the snake, Willy, was impressed by his father Wilson.
He has donated the reserve to teachers in the Lyons and Geneva faculty districts and is keeping numerous future readings (see box).
Brian Askin, a first-grade trainer in Lyons, applied “Berry the Parrot” as a springboard to a social/emotional mastering task he did with his learners wherever he attempts to educate them how to reply to various predicaments. Askin mentioned his college students cherished the e book, which he named well created, very clear and relatable for his pupils.
“It assisted them have an understanding of the unfavorable expertise of casting judgments,” he mentioned. “And the ideal section is they received to fulfill the creator … it was seriously great.”
DeYulio feels the book’s message is applicable to little ones and grownups alike. He identified as “Berry the Parrot” a labor of like.
“I want small children and people to get pleasure from examining the tale, study some lessons and have a family practical experience alongside one another,” he mentioned.