About

I’m a Gemini. So what does that have to do with writing books? The Gemini-born are forever probing people and places in search of information. The more information a Gemini collects, the better. I love research–in fact, I can’t get enough. Sharing that information later on is also a lot of fun.

I’ve always loved picture books and remember having a bunch growing up. One of my favorites was and still is “The Fly Went By” by Mike McClintock. I love the rhyme, repetition, and the nice little twist at the end. A lamb? Really?

Even though I love gathering information, I didn’t always think of myself as a writer. After graduating high school, I attended Pepperdine University, Boston University, and St. John’s University. I might not have known where I wanted to go to school, but I did know that I wanted to work in television. I graduated from St. John’s University and had a ten-year career as a TV producer. But after the birth of my two boys, I discovered my passion for children’s books. It took two years of intense research and honing my writing skills to receive a contract for my first picture book, The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade. Then came Oh! the Possibilities! 

The best part about being an author? Author visits! After having the chance to share my books at libraries and schools, I realized that I loved sharing stories with young readers, so I went to grad school, got my masters in education, and now I'm a teacher who gets to share stories everyday! My students have taught me many things, but especially to appreciate life's little moments because everything should be new and exciting!

In addition to writing books, I also write for various magazines and my publishing credits include:

• “Pet Primates: Why Not,” Appleseeds Magazine (April 2010)
• “Home Away from Home,” Stories for Children Magazine (January 2010)
• “Gladiatrix: Fierce Females,” Appleseeds Magazine (October 2009)
• “The Way We Wash,” Appleseeds Magazine (October 2009)
• “Over My Dead Body,” Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr. (October 2009)
• “Girl Power: Maria and her Witch of Agnesi,” Appleseeds Magazine (September 2009)
• “Salty Science,” Turtle Magazine for Preschool Kids (July/ August 2009)
• “It’s Not Just a Game,” Odyssey Magazine (July/ August 2009)
• “An Ocean of Caring,” Stories for Children Magazine (June 2009)
• “Getting their Feet Wet,” Boys’ Life Magazine
• “Magellan’s Madness,” Appleseeds Magazine (May 2009)
• “Organization: A Fairy Tale?” The Institute of Children’s Literature’s Rx for Writers (May 2009)
• “Big Job for Little Stamps,” Stories for Children Magazine (May 2009)
• “Peculiar Penguins,” Stories for Children Magazine (January 2009)
• “Take a Hike,” Stories for Children Magazine (November 2008)
• “What is Weather?” Stories for Children Magazine (July 2008)
• “Children’s Day Traditions,” Stories for Children Magazine (May 2008)

Awards and Honors:

• Dragonfly Publishing Inc.’s 2009 Best Children’s Book
• 2nd Place: The Children’s Writer, Sports Nonfiction Contest

Affiliations:

• The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

Education:

• Bachelor of Science degree, Communications, St. John’s University; New York
• Master of Education, University of New Haven; CT
• The Institute of Children’s Literature (Writing for children and teens)