BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There are not many preschoolers who become a viral TikTok sensation, but we have one right in our own backyard.
Her pure act of kindness is getting noticed near and far and has had a major impact on an author from Duryea.
Four-year-old Ella Dinelli likes books and likes to help people, so it only makes sense that a bookstore is where the Berwick girl provided the most help of all.
Ella and her mom, Taylor, spotted author Jonathan Stanley holding a book signing at Barnes and Noble near Wilkes-Barre.
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They all came to the 28/22 News studio days later to talk about it.
"I explained to her that he wrote these books. They were all stacked on this table. I said 'He wrote them by himself,'" said Taylor Dinelli, Ella's mom.
The book is called Purposeful Performance: The Secret Mix of Connecting, Leading and Succeeding.
Just one problem: Stanley was not succeeding in getting much foot traffic the day of the book signing.
"Several people were passing me by, and little did I know Taylor shot a video of that and shared her compassion and her empathy for me, which was extraordinary," explained Stanley.
Taylor also had Ella approach the author and buy a copy of his book.
He signed it, "Ella, the greatest gift you have to offer is you!"
Her mom posted the encounters on TikTok. What happened next almost seems like a work of fiction.
Tens of millions of people saw the TikTok videos within the first week.
Stanley's book, which was languishing in sales, became a number-one bestseller.
"The messages I'm receiving by the minute, which are thousands by the way, has been an outpouring of support of love and kindness, and encouragement," stated Stanley.
The story captured America's heart. It's appeared in print, and even on NBC's Today Show, which shared an emotional TikTok video Stanley made in response to the public outpouring.
Stanley says, "You've given me hope. I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. This community has been incredible."
From this experience, a fast friendship between the Dinellis and Stanley, and a lesson which Ella learned that bears repeating.
"I think it's so important to just be with people, you know, whenever they're brave enough to be putting themselves out there in any situation," said Taylor Dinelli.
Ella says she would like to become an author someday. For now, she is just learning how to read.
Here's to you, Ella.
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