Rosemarie Kaupp named to IAOTP's Top Literacy Legacy Award for 2026

The International Association of Top Professionals will honor writer and retired nurse Rosemarie Kaupp at its annual gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The award recognizes her children’s books, bereavement blog and decades-long career serving students and families in public health and school nursing.

Why it matters: - The award spotlights a career that spans nursing, children’s writing and grief support for bereaved parents. - IAOTP is using its annual gala to recognize work that blends professional longevity with community impact. - Kaupp’s selection also adds visibility to books and resources centered on children, loss and healing.

What happened: - IAOTP selected Rosemarie Kaupp for its Top Literacy Legacy Award for 2026. - IAOTP will honor Kaupp at its Annual Awards Gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. - Kaupp is the writer and author of The Amberella Tales, a children’s book series, the blogger behind May Your Laughter Live, and the author of the memoir Many Memories Remain. - IAOTP said the award recognizes professionals with excellence, leadership, longevity, affiliations and community contributions. - IAOTP President Stephanie Cirami said the panel viewed Kaupp as deserving of the honor for Lifetime Achievement and praised her work for children, teens and grieving parents. - More information on the gala is available here.

The details: - Kaupp began her nursing career in 1966 at Penn Medicine as a hospital nurse. - She later worked for the City of Philadelphia as a public health and home care nurse. - Kaupp then joined the School District of Philadelphia as a school nurse. - Her school nursing career lasted 38 years. - Her total nursing career lasted 46 years. - She retired in December 2015 after also working part time at a parochial school and a suburban high school. - Kaupp said she especially valued 30 years working with teenagers. - Her first children’s book, Amberella in the City, was written in January 2012. - The book is part of The Amberella Tales series for children ages 4 to 8. - Her second book, Amberella and Double Double Trouble, was published in May 2013. - The books focus on love, security, friendship, belonging and acceptance. - Kaupp said children respond to stories that reflect challenges they experience in their own lives. - The character Chris in the books is based on her son, who died at 23. - Amberella is based on Kaupp’s dog, Amber. - Kaupp said writing the series helped her grieve and preserve memories of her son Chris. - Her second book is dedicated to her late husband, Fred, whom she cared for during 10 years of chronic illness. - In April 2013, Kaupp started a blog for parents who have lost children at kidswritertoyou.blogspot.com. - The blog aims to offer encouragement, direction and empathy to grieving parents. - Kaupp is currently writing a memoir about her nursing career. - She wants the memoir to help the public better understand what nurses do and how the work affects patients and nurses. - Kaupp is also an avid jewelry designer and creator.

Between the lines: - The award fits IAOTP’s pattern of linking professional recognition with public-facing storytelling and community service. - Kaupp’s work reflects a throughline from bedside care to writing for children and bereaved families. - Her books and blog turn personal loss into a broader message about resilience and support.

What's next: - IAOTP will present the award at its annual gala later this year. - Kaupp will continue work on her nursing memoir. - More information about Kaupp is available at www.rosemariekauppauthor.com. - Her video is available on YouTube.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is honoring a retired nurse and author whose work spans literacy, grief support and decades of service to children and families.