The D'Amico Family: Writing Their Own Adventure Story

Photo by Karen Presecan

Some families collect postcards or tiny souvenirs from their travels. Not the D'Amico family, though; Michael, Jacquelene, and their three daughters collect adventure stories. And, now, thanks to Jacquelene’s newly published children's book, they're sharing those adventures with young readers across the Fredericksburg area.

Jacquelene and Michael D'Amico's love story began in a class at the University of Mary Washington, where both business majors quickly discovered they had more to discuss than balance sheets and bottom lines. 

"Before long, we were talking too much during Business Law, getting reprimanded, and decided it was best to talk outside of the classroom," Jacquelene recalls. Their classroom connection blossomed into a relationship built on shared wanderlust, with Michael proposing in Lake Como, Italy, a destination that wasn't even on their itinerary and provided the perfect plot twist for Michael to pop the question.

Over their 14 years of marriage, the couple has turned the page on adventures across multiple continents, exploring Canada, England, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Aruba, and various destinations from Florida to Massachusetts. Yet their journey to Rio de Janeiro remains a favorite chapter. These travels have become more than just passport stamps; they've shaped the family's perspective and, ultimately, inspired Jacquelene's creative work.

While Michael applied his undergraduate and master's degrees in Business Administration to his finance career, Jacquelene took a different route to her current calling. After earning undergraduate degrees in Business and Studio Art, plus a master's in Management, she worked as a proposal writer before founding Smart Cookies Education Services LLC in 2021. The reading tutoring business emerged from challenges she observed in children during COVID, proving that sometimes the best ideas come from navigating uncharted territory.

But Jacquelene's most recent venture has truly allowed her imagination to take flight. The Adventures of Trollee and Alice, her debut children's book, weaves together the family's local explorations throughout the Fredericksburg area into a literacy-building tool for first through fifth graders. The book follows young Alice, a marshmallow-loving troll named Trollee, and Periwinkle, a slightly naughty dragon, through extraordinary adventures involving playground bullies, volcanic library eruptions, farm lessons, and museum creativity.

"All of our experiences inspire my writing and ultimately led me to create The Adventures of Trollee and Alice," Jacquelene explains. "I began jotting down memories of these outings, like blackberry picking at Braehead Farm, and before my mom passed away last year, I became determined to share those stories and publish the book."

The book's educational approach sets it apart from typical children's literature. Bolded vocabulary words appear throughout each story, and the book concludes with "Trollee's Guide to Tricky Words," a special glossary designed to build reading confidence. It's evident that Jacquelene's tutoring expertise informed every page, creating a resource that's both entertaining and enriching.

The D'Amicos' three daughters stay busy with gymnastics and jiu jitsu, while the entire family remains active at The Mount church. They continue exploring Virginia's parks and trails, including Widewater State Park, Chatham Manor, and Government Island, always on the lookout for the next adventure—and perhaps the next story.

"Downtown Fredericksburg is a book lover's dream, and places like Tales and Tails Book Cafe and The Book Market FXBG have given me special opportunities to connect with fellow readers," Jacquelene shares. The local book community has welcomed her with open arms, introducing her to a world she hadn't fully discovered before writing seriously.

The family's love of culture extends beyond books. As art enthusiasts, they frequent Gari Melchers Belmont Home and Studio, charming downtown shops like Du Jardin Home & Garden and Jabberwocky Children's Toys and Gifts. They are thrilled about the recent opening of Silly Goose Imagination Village in North Stafford as well. Washington, D.C.'s art museums and Smithsonian museums are also featured on their cultural itinerary. When it comes to dining, "Orofino, The Grounds Bistro & Grill, and Carl's Frozen Custard will always hold a special place in our hearts," Jacquelene notes.

Even the family's pet has an international backstory. After visiting Blenheim Palace in England, where the original Blenheim-colored King Charles Cavaliers were bred, the family knew they needed one of these charming dogs. They adopted Huffkins, named after their favorite English tea shop, who serves as a daily reminder of that special trip.

Looking ahead, the D'Amicos plan to expand their daughters' horizons through international travel. "As our daughters get older, we plan on traveling more internationally to help them appreciate other cultures and see the world firsthand," Jacquelene says. "Any place with a beach, an inspiring art museum, or amazing food is a win for our family, and every trip is a chance to make lasting memories together."

For this family, every adventure—whether across the ocean or across town—becomes part of their ongoing narrative, artfully balancing championing their own community and appreciating the diversity of others. And, thanks to Jacquelene's dedication to literacy and storytelling, those adventures are now helping young readers write their own success stories, one bolded vocabulary word at a time.

Books at Belmont Event: Jacquelene D'Amico has been selected as the 2026 speaker for Gari Melchers’ Books at Belmont program on March 22. Join her at 2 pm for a free public talk exploring the creative journey behind The Adventures of Trollee and Alice, how grief became a source of inspiration, and how magical time spent with your children can truly be. The event takes place at Gari Melchers' Home and Studio in the Pavilion event space and concludes with a book signing in the Museum Store. This heartfelt presentation is especially valuable for aspiring writers, mothers, and caregivers in the community.

Summer Tutoring 2026: Smart Cookies Education Services is now accepting summer registration and offering personalized tutoring in phonics, grammar, reading fluency, comprehension, handwriting, essay writing, and more. Build confidence and instill a lasting love of learning. Forms are available on the website listed below.

Connect with Jacquelene:Website: jacquelenedamico.com | Instagram: @author_jacquelene_damico | Facebook: facebook.com/trolleeandalice | Amazon: amzn.to/4kC0DNk