From what I've been told, I was a stubborn, willful, but happy child. Just look how smiley I was in the crib....no rush for me to transition to a big-kid bed!
I grew up with lots of animals. I had plenty of stuffed animals in my room, including my favorite monkey named Congo. We owned plenty of real pets, too - 24 gerbils, 2 lizards, 2 dogs, a bunch of goldfish, and a parakeet. My uncle owned a farm in Kansas City, MO and I loved riding his horses. I remember trips to the zoo, and really really really wanting an elephant of my own. I mean, why wouldn't my parents let me keep one in the garage?
Look! This elephant makes the perfect pet! Can't I keep him? Please???!!!
As a kid, I loved to read, write and travel to far-away worlds.  Luckily, my best friend, Renee, and I always  managed to escape the giant squid in her backyard pool, and the burning lava bubbling around her deck. In college, I traveled to real far-away places like France, Italy, Germany, Austria, and England.  I also became a DJ for the college radio station. I played music from the 1950s and 60s on my show called the Saturday Night Sock Hop. Now I'm a children's writer and part-time French teacher.  I'm blessed with a wonderful husband and three terrific kids.  We live in New York with a Holland Lop rabbit named Holly, and an aquarium of tropical fish,. I should add, although, I'm not sure I want to admit it, that my kids own over 300 stuffed animals. Did you get a chance to peek at my latest children's book, HOW WILL I EVER SLEEP IN THIS BED? If so, you probably guessed that my kids' stuffed animals and bedtime routine were the inspiration for this fun story.   My other books are beginning readers and they're called HEY! YOU'RE EATING MY HOMEWORK and PICNIC ON THE SIDEWALK.  And I'm excited to announce my latest picture book, STAR OF THE SHOW! It's a fun look at sibling rivalry - packed with action and humor. I also write poetry and short stories for magazines like Highlights for Children, Highlights High Five, Ladybug, Babybug, Children's Playmate, Story Friends and Hopscotch for Girls. I hope you like reading and writing as much as I do! Now for the more recent family photos.....
This was our Christmas card for 2008. Ho ho ho!

	Here's me with my three wonderful children!

My baby loves books!
Of course, most of the time, he prefers to chew them or throw them.

It wouldn't be fall without a trip to the apple orchard.