I grew up in beautiful northern Wisconsin.  My brothers and sisters and I were raised in a home full of love, laughter and music, and surrounded by pine forests and countless lakes.  It was truly a blessed childhood. 

    While attending college in southwestern Wisconsin, I met my future husband.  Over the next several years, I enjoyed a career as a Legal Secretary, got married, and had two children. 

    In 2003 we found ourselves moving back to northern Wisconsin.  At that point, I was excited to finally have the time necessary to pursue my dream of writing for children.  

    When our third child was born in 2006, my priorities shifted a bit.  At first, I worried that my writing would have to wait once again, but I soon realized what a wonderful opportunity our new baby presented.  I found myself surrounded by the types of books I wanted to write.

     So, while my older children bury their noses in chapter books and middle grade novels, I enjoy reading picture books with my little one and finding inspiration from all of them to write in my spare time.

    Although I enjoy dabbling in all genres of children's literature, I am happiest when writing fiction for the youngest audiences.  I love the challenge of picture book text - weaving a complete, engaging story into the confines of 1,000 words or fewer.  I must be a glutton for punishment, because I also find tremendous satisfaction in creating rhyming poetry.  

    My favorite children's authors are too numerous to mention, but those that have influenced me most are Jane Yolen, Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, Cynthia Rylant and Ian Falconer.  Each of these amazing authors has the ability to create timeless and memorable work that is worth reading not just once, but over and over again.

    My own writing continues to gain recognition and awards in various venues, including the Delaware Art Museum's Art of Storytelling competition, the 2007 SmartWriters W.I.N. competition, and publication in Half Price Books’ Say Good Night to Illiteracy, 13^th Edition.  Please click on my "Writings" link to learn more about these and my other writing projects.