Mike Catalano wants children to understand that just because someone is different than they are doesn’t mean they are mean and scary.

Catalano, a Wayne resident, is the author of two recently published books. “My Little Sister’s a Zombie Cheerleader” is book for middle school-aged children. The book is a sequel to Catalano’s “My Little Sister’s a Zombie.”

“Kids, when they’re young, can be impressionable,” Catalano said. “I just want them to learn to accept others who may be different from them. Just because someone is different, doesn’t make them a bad person.”

Catalano wrote another book “Dead at the Jersey Shore,” a story about a man who goes to his beach house in Long Branch for some peace and quite for the summer only to find himself caught up with ghosts reality television stars, and zombies.

Catalano grew up in Long Branch. He drew inspiration for the book from a family story. Catalano’s aunt allegedly haunted the attic at the house.

“I’m really pleased I could take something that was precious to me and turn it into a full-length book,” Catalano said. “It means a lot to me.”

Catalano said he enjoys drawing a reader into a story. The chapters at the end of Catalano’s books are always longer than the ones in the beginning.

“I love a grand finale. I want to give people a long ending,” Catalano said. ‘I think if someone takes the time to invest in reading something they should be rewarded with a great ending.”

Catalano is already working on a treatment for another “Zombie” sequel.

Both “Dead at the Jersey Shore” and “My Little Sister’s a Zombie Cheerleader’ are available online at Amazon and electronically on Kindles, iPads, and Nook devices.

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