Donna Fantacone ’10 Pens Children’s Book on Safety

While raising her son and attending William Paterson part time, Donna Fantacone ’10 realized there were no children’s books that compiled basic safety information in a friendly manner. Fantacone combined her 20 years of experience as a corporate safety officer with her knowledge as the daughter of a retired police officer to write Officer Tony Says, “Be Careful.”

The book, dedicated to her father, Anthony Fantacone, 95, a Belleville patrolman and detective for more than 30 years and a former PBA president, offers important tips to help children spot and avoid danger. Fantacone, who teamed up with illustrator Francesca Leipzig Picone, uses her father’s familiar face and includes many of the lessons he taught her when she was growing up.

A graduate of William Paterson with a bachelor’s degree in English, Fantacone is a Rutgers Certified Master Gardener and volunteers at City Green teaching about farming to preschool children.