A Cranston children’s author and a Glocester illustrator have teamed up to launch a new picture book called “Liam’s Magic Carpet Adventures.”

Many people recognize Laura Clarizio of Cranston from her reporting days on WPRI and WB 56 in Boston and more recently as an anchor at WPRO. Touched by the many stories she covered the New England journalist, Clarizio set out to write the “If I Had a Magic Carpet” series to encourage children to use their imagination. Throughout the series, Clarizio sprinkled valuable life lessons like bullying and stranger danger to help keep kids safe. In book No. 3, she even included real-life Rhode Island ghost hunters Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson.

To date she has published “If I Had a Magic Carpet,” “If I Had a Magic Carpet II: Key to Kindness,” If I Had a Magic Carpet III: Haunted Holidays,” “Traveling Through Time: If I Had a Magic Carpet IV and now “Liam's Magic Carpet Adventures.”

In 2005, while she was reporting in Boston, the first book was published. Clarizio wrote four books to grow as her audience grew.

“I often get invited to do author days at elementary schools, and I wanted to make sure I had a book appropriate for each grade level,” said Clarizio.

After finishing the fourth book in the series, Clarizio thought it was complete, until she met one very special little boy, in foster care, named Liam.

“It was love at first sight,” said Clarizio. “And when the same friend who encouraged me to write the ‘If I Had a Magic Carpet’ series said I should write a book for Liam, I was hesitant, because I knew the book would need to be geared towards toddlers and I am not an illustrator.”

The very next day Clarizio said she went for a teeth cleaning and her hygienist said, “My daughter, Jamie, is an illustrator and would love to collaborate with you on a book.”

At that moment Clarizio said it was fate and she knew this was something she needed to do for Liam.

That is when she says she decided to create a prequel to her Magic Carpet series.

“It all fit so perfectly, since William is a main character in the series and Liam is derivation of that name, I was able to make it all flow,” said Clarizio. “My illustrator, Jamie Forgetta, made Liam’s Magic Carpet Adventures soar off the pages. Jamie really took the time to listen to my visions and add her own magical touch to her bold and beautiful pictures. It was evident when I showed Liam the book proof and at 18 months he laughed and giggled at the beautiful pictures and asked me to read the book over and over.”

“I love the array of ideas and challenges different clients bring to me, as an artist you are very much in your own head and what you draw can become very stagnant if you never push yourself to do something different,” said Forgetta.

“As an illustrator I am given the challenge of bringing someone else's ideas to life and it has broadened my horizons as an artist and helped me think in ways I wouldn't have on my own. I have gained so much practice and inspiration from working with others as an illustrator,” said Forgetta.

Clarizio said that out of all her books this one has extra special meaning because it is dedicated to Liam and all the other foster care children.

“I was fortunate to spend a great deal of time loving Liam, this book is a gift to him and if it does take off I plan to give back to him and other foster care children,” said Clarizio.

They are now working on a Liam’s Magic Carpet Adventures coloring book and opted to publish the books through Amazon.com so more of the proceeds can go to helping foster care children. If you would like more information on the books go to ifihadamagiccarpet.com or Amazon.com.

Clarizio can be reached for author day events through her website or the If I Had A Magic Carpet Facebook and Twitter pages.