Welcome!
I’ve always loved reading and writing. One favorite childhood book was LET PAPA SLEEP!, about a pair of lively bunny children whose dad was “trying” to take a nap.
It reminded me so much of my own dad, who had a hard time sneaking in a nap in a busy household with three children underfoot. So, maybe that’s why the first poem I ever wrote had a bunny theme. It went something like this:
A bunny has a small pink nose
And fluffy fur he wears for clothes
With long white ears and little toes
He loves to hop wherever he goes
Well, my second grade teacher loved this poem and that was the first time I ever thought that maybe someday I could be an author. Fast forward many years. I grew up, went to college, got married, became a teacher and raised a daughter and two sons. When my children began to leave the nest, it seemed like the perfect time to jumpstart my writing dreams.
A Dream Come True
My first published story, Gyrating Gyroscopes (AppleSeeds, April 2014), was extra special because my third grade class was featured in the magazine, too! They had their pictures taken, participated in a survey, saw the issue being built in stages and received their own copies. We celebrated our debut with a magazine launch party.
I was spotlighted on the school district’s website and our local radio station, KHTS, interviewed me!
The biggest surprise was a call from the Horace Mann Company! After hearing my radio interview, they wanted to honor me as part of their #TeachItForward program. I was recognized on their website, presented with a certificate, a $100 Visa Gift Card and a popcorn party for my whole class. What a wonderful way to break into publishing!
I write full-time now. My first two picture books, MOON BABIES, illustrated by Amy Hevron (Putnam, 2019) and WOODLAND DREAMS, illustrated by Marc Boutavant (Chronicle, 2020) are coming out soon and more are on the way. I’m so excited to see where this writing adventure leads me. And to think, it all started with a bunny!
