When Michael Cascio published his debut children’s book, “When I Was A Child I Was Always Afraid,” in January, there was one person he wanted to thank, but couldn’t — Joan Pilla, his fourth-grade teacher. It was Pilla who took a 9-year-old Cascio under her wing and essentially taught him to read, he said. But they lost touch after that year at St. Joseph’s Patron School in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

“She was super instrumental and one of those blessings that comes by in life that without, your life could have been much much different,” said Cascio, who lives in New Hyde Park and works as an accountant. After searching for Pilla in recent months with no success, an old grammar school report card led Cascio to her this week. They spoke Monday afternoon for the first time in more than 40 years.