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Inspired by her time as a school nurse, she followed through on an idea to author a Halloween-themed book.Ìý

DelPiano, 81, is the author of "Punkin Little's First Halloween Adventure." The book was published by Balboa Press and released in March.Ìý

The name of the protagonist, who is a mouse, was from a young student while DelPiano worked as a school nurse in Auburn. She recalled asking the children what costumes they would wear for Halloween. One child responded, "I'm going to be a punkin!" 

Some of the schoolchildren were scared of going trick-or-treating on Halloween, which is why DelPiano decided to write a children's book about the holiday.Ìý

"This was to show them if they had an adult with them, they didn't have to be afraid," she said.Ìý

DelPiano was a nurse at Auburn Nursing Home and in a local doctor's office. She also worked as a nurse at most of Auburn's elementary schools.Ìý

"I loved it," she said. "You got to see more kids and adults. It could be stressful, but you lived." 

A voracious reader, DelPiano told мÓƶà¶à¿ª½±¼Ç¼ that she "dreamed about" writing a book. However, it was a slow process. She contacted a publishing company, Balboa Press, but after two years the book wasn't published.Ìý

DelPiano said she called Balboa Press and urged them to expedite publication. She views it as part of her legacy — something to leave for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Ìý

Within two weeks, Balboa Press had the illustrations and the book was published.Ìý

DelPiano paid $3,000 for the illustrations. She praised the illustrators because they followed her vision for the book.Ìý

The book is available on and . Copies are also available on .Ìý

It may not be DelPiano's last project. She already has an idea for a second children's book inspired by her granddaughter. The title would be, "Bella Goes Bananas." 

Before writing that book, though, she's enjoying her first.Ìý

"I've had a lot of support," DelPiano said. "A lot of people encouraging me and listening to me. It wasn't very tedious. It just happened."