Illustrator Ross MacDonald and I working on Hey Batta Batta Swing! The Wild Old Days of Baseball

I was born in Bryn Mawr, PA. My mother worried that I would be born on April Fool's Day but I knew better than that. I made my way into the world the next day, April 2nd. Two years later my family moved to Roanoke, Virginia.

My childhood was spent making up shows with my two brothers and sister and my beagle, Chippy, who was often the star. Even though we lived in the South we had lovely snowstorms because Roanoke was nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I remember sledding all winter until I dropped and then swimming on a team in the summer.

At my school, Crystal Springs Elementary, my teachers were very important to me. One day I revealed my secret ambition to be a children's book writer to Mrs. Smith, my second grade teacher. She said, “How would you like to write creative stories during cursive writing period?” I never looked back and miraculously my handwriting didn’t suffer too much either!

I wrote stories about my parents and their funny friends, about our elderly next door neighbors, the Painters, and about a family of bunnies that lived in our backyard. My favorite books in elementary school were Harry the Dirty Dog and Curious George. I still pick them up to read to this day.

When I was in fourth grade my parents announced that my father would be transferred with his business to New York City and we would all be moving there. I was thrilled, but later keenly disappointed when I learned that we were moving to a town in New Jersey, a suburb of New York. Nevertheless, I liked my new school and during the first week there I was chosen for the role of Mrs. Santa Claus in my grade school play. But, there was a slight hitch. I had a deep southern accent and the drama teacher worried that no one would understand me. The last thing I wanted was to have my funny accent get in the way, so I spent hours perched in front of a mirror uttering "you guys" instead of "ya'll." I performed in all of my grade school, middle school and high school plays. My acting carried me through college where renowned children's book author and illustrator, Tomie de Paola, was my theater teacher.

I thought briefly about becoming a professional actress. However, writing was truly my first love. When I graduated from college I moved to New York (this time, the REAL Big Apple) and became a journalist. I started out writing for the Associated Press and national magazines. It was a very exciting time for me. But, after meeting and interviewing many children’s book authors and illustrators I knew it was time to start writing for children.

The world of children's books fascinates me everyday--pictures and words working together to engage young readers. I love meeting children from all over the world and finding out which books they enjoy. They, in turn, are always curious about which books are my favorites. The list is always changing but here are some: Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin, The Incredible Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo and Hey Pipsqueak! by Jim and Kate McMullan.

I still live in New York City with my family. My children are now taller than I am. The hustle and bustle of the city is always invigorating. But, I find time to get to the great outdoors to relive my childhood by sledding and swimming…and thinking about writing my next book for children.