I have always loved books. When I was little, I even got into trouble for reading. No, not because my mom didn't like books. Actually, she is a teacher and I'm sure she loves that I love to read. I got into trouble because I would read everywhere I went, including places like the breakfast table! Another reason I got in trouble was because I got so involved in the books I was reading I couldn't hear my mom when she hollered at me to do something. Really!

I was first published at the age of ten. My self-published book that my 5th grade teacher helped me put together won me a chance to go to the University of Oregon as a young author. I still have that book and proudly show it to children when I visit their classrooms. They are amazed that I wrote it on a typewriter. What's that?

Books, writing, and drawing are embedded deep within my soul. I am following a lifelong dream as I embark on this writing and illustrating journey. My three children think I'm a bit strange. Though they do love for me to come and share my work in their classrooms. I love to draw, write, and do crafts with them as well.

I am a member of SCBWI and have a degree in art from Oregon State University. I wrote a biweekly children's book review and activity column for the Boston Herald from September of 2000-March 2005. I write a book review and activity column bi-monthly for Oregon Family. I also write a craft column for Fredericksburg Parent monthly. I'm very excited that my fifth activity book from Paulist Press is coming out this September! Check it out in the Activity Books section.

Children's literature is my passion. I have spoken about writing and shared my writing at my children's schools. I also volunteer to share my writing and illustrations with the children at my children's schools. I hope every child will grow up learning to love books the way that I do and thus I spend a lot of time where my children go to school.