I have been writing and illustrating books since second grade. My first book was written in crayon in a yellow notebook while sitting in a tree. The pictures were drawn directly over the words in what I thought was a thrifty use of paper. The characters in that first story were animals and insects involved in a mystery involving peanut butter sandwiches and a pesky ghost. A lot has changed since then, but my interest in animals, insects, and peanut butter sandwiches remains. I still write about them and draw pictures of them (not the sandwiches), though not while sitting in a tree…usually.
My fascination with the natural world grew as I did, eventually leading me to study biology in college. But I was also a devoted bookworm and worked hard on writing. And I was fascinated by drawing and painting too.. It took quite a few years, but eventually I discovered the perfect blend of all three in the creation of picture books.
One of my favorite things about being a picture book author and illustrator is visiting schools to talk about writing, art, and the natural world. I have visited well over a hundred schools across the country. The children and teachers I meet during these visits never fail to impress me with their creativity and curiosity. I leave inspired and energized to tackle new projects and reimagine ideas I have put aside. I have a variety of presentations and workshops that can be implemented remotely or in-person. If you are interested in learning more, please click the School Visit button at the top of this page, and/or click the Contact button and send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!