"After looking around our community and realizing it was rich with information, we decided to create our own DVDs and Activities for kids. Our professional experience was invaluable in creating the "Let's Explore" series. Through video, photos, color and music, our goal of a teacher/parent/child-friendly series that can be used for preschool to elementary age children became a reality."

One Smart Cookie Productions was started by two mothers with backgrounds in teaching and graphic design who wanted to create fun and educational software for children. They have created multi-level educational DVDs and activity manuals to teach children, parents and educators.

Sharing a common goal with parents everywhere, we wanted educational materials for our children that answered some of those questions, "What is the moon, Mom? Why does the sun shine? Why does it snow?" We decided to combine our talents as an educator and a graphic designer to create a product that we felt would be a useful tool to parents and teachers.

In 2006, One Smart Cookie Productions was awarded the "Women Entrepreneur of the Year" through the Small Business Development Center of New York State. In addition, we also won "Women-Owned Business of the Year" for Victor, NY.

Leslie Summerson graduated from Potsdam College in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations and a minor in Elementary Education. She also received a Masters in 1995 from Nazareth College of Rochester in Special Education. Leslie began her teaching career in the Spencerport Central School District in 1995 and in 2007 started teaching 2nd grade in the Victor School District.

Keli DiRisio graduated from Cazenovia College in 1989 in Advertising Design, and then from RIT in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. In 1993, Keli graduated from RIT with a Masters of Science in Graphic Arts Printing and Publishing. Keli spent the next few years freelancing for a variety of graphic design studios and advertising agencies. After working at an agency for a number of years, she started her own graphic design firm, Alterna Design + Company.

Words from Keli:
"I was diagnosed with MS fourteen years ago, and I needed something to help my son discover and learn for those days when I did not feel well enough to go exploring with him. Being a graphic designer, I was able to use my talent to develop a creative and visual product to teach my child about the world around us when I wasn't physically able to go out in that world."

Words from Leslie:
"As a teacher and a parent, I am always seeking ways to challenge my children. It was difficult finding something that appealed to a 4-year-old as well as a 6-year-old. I needed to be able to differentiate their learning at home like I do with my students in the classroom. The levels in the One Smart Cookie series teach and challenge while meeting the needs of all children."