Manatee People
John Hutton and Sandra Gross
Owners (CEO/CFO, IT, light-bulb tech, light janitorial...)
John and Sandy were loyal customers of a small children's bookstore called The Blue Marble and were dismayed with the announcement in 2000 that this local treasure would be closing its doors. Rather than see "The Wall" full of beloved children's author/illustrator signatures and drawings destroyed, they decided to make the ultimate Going Out of Business Sale purchase and bought the store. Within a week of negotiation with Miss Katie the Story Time Lady and the owner, a contract was signed in green crayon and the store was saved. For a journalistic account, click here.
Ten-plus years, gallons of paint, a marine mammal name change, and many rounds of remodeling later (including conversion of a boarded-up office into the decafé in 2005), blue manatee is a place that John and Sandy are proud to call their own: a true family business alongside their amazing staff.
Outside of the store, John is a pediatrician trained at Cincinnati Children's Hospital with a passion for literacy, unstructured/outdoor play, and the health effects of excessive electronic media. Sandy has Master's degrees in early childhood Montessori education and Fine Arts, and is a working artist at (and owner of) Brazee Street Studios up the road in Oakley. While they have many interests outside of children's books, many of their most profound life lessons and memories were inspired by them. Both love George and Martha, Sandy is partial to Frederick by Leo Lionni, and John, The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss.
Sheri Hill
Store Manager
Sheri has been a part of the bookstore family for 20 years! While her day to day jobs include ordering backlist titles and school orders, accounting and bookkeeping, and generally overseeing the bookstore operation, Sheri is best known to us all as just "Meme". She got the name from her grandchildren, but it stuck with the staff! Before she was our "Meme" Sheri worked teaching Montessori Kindergarten and Preschool, which makes her an expert at connecting children with great books. Her passions include but aren't limited to, hanging out with her five grandchildren; reading, especially Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird; traveling off the beaten path; jazz and opera; and politics.
Andrea Pfeiffer
Assistant Manager
Andrea has worked at blue manatee as a bookseller for three years. After finishing her degree in English at Xavier University she joined the staff full-time to carry on connecting children with the classics. While Andrea particularly loves talking about books with customers, she also is responsible for store operations. Her favorite book for kids is Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski; for bigger kids, Number the Stars by Lois Lowry; and for grownups, East of Eden by John Steinbeck. When she's not at the store, Andrea loves being with her friends and trying new things!
Kelli Gleiner
Events Coordinator
Kelli began working at blue manatee almost 4 years ago as a part-time bookseller. In the years since, she’s expanded her niche from finding great books for great kids to thinking up new, fun things to do; making messes; and ordering music and other non-book items. Before she was our resident creative cat, Kelli taught art for kids grades K-12. Her favorite books are Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, and CDB by William Steig, which was the first book she ever read on her own!
Gail Bloom
Story Time Lady/Full-time Bookseller
Gail, our dedicated story time lady, has been with blue manatee for four years. She's best known for singing silly songs and linking people with quality books. The Table Where Rich People Sit by Byrd Baylor, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, and The Giver by Lois Lowry are a few of her best suggestions. Outside of the store, Gail is a proud mom of one and loves traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Katie Ritchey
Full-time Bookseller
Katie is the newest bookseller on the blue manatee staff. Since working at blue manatee, Katie has taken a liking to building books and reading stories to our Manatots. Before joining Team Manatee, Katie was finishing her Graphic Design and Photography degree at Penn State. Her favorite books are Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
Our Booksellers
Melissa Sabo:
Seven years on staff; director of Early Education at Stepping Stones Center and former assistant manager of blue manatee; favorite books: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and Ugly Fish by Kara Lareau
Anessa Dorris:
Six years on staff; 5th grade teacher at Woodlawn Elementary and fervent reader of children's books; favorite book: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Jenn Adamson:
Six years on staff; kindergarten teacher at Pleasant Ridge Montessori School; favorite book: Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel
Brenda Babel:
Our rookie by calendar only, two years on staff; an art instructor at My Little Red Haus; favorite book: Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
Our Baristas
Brian Wikoff:
Our new super barista, Brian, graduated from UC with a MA in Art History and a love of iced chai teas.
Elise Saxton:
Another veteran, currently working on a BA in English at UC; favorite drink: Big Orange Splot Smoothie
Sarah Jones:
As a recent graduate from UC with her Masters in Fine Arts, Sarah will whip you up some artfully crafted smoothies as our newest barista.
