This is what my two 8-year-old twins will tell anyone about me. My mother started a Preschool when I was 5 and whenever I didn't have school, I'd spend my time there. I have fond memories of sitting on the floor in front of the school's book shelves reading for hours. As I grew up, I never lost my love of children's books, nor books in general. I buy books like most women buy jewelry, clothes, shoes, make-up and all that other stuff. When it's my mom's birthday, I buy her picture books. My children know I can't go to a book store without buying books for both them and me. My husband laughs at my obsession with books, and has sworn to build me a library to house them all some day. My kids predict that they'll never be able to get me out of the library once it's finished.
Part of my passion for children's books is that I believe 'there's a book for that'. Whenever one of my preschool families, or friends children are struggling process
something, I love to be able to suggest a book. I feel like books are one of the best ways to support the growth and development of children, teach complex concepts and help each child develop their sense of self and the greater world around them.
I have my name published in a scientific journal from my college thesis on bird song. In my post-college days, I started writing YA fantasy novels, which have sat on a shelf since my kids were born. For the past 2 years, I've had the chance to co-author and publish five nature curriculum books as part of my job. But after spending more than half my life buried in children's books, I finally decided it was time try writing my own. I want to share stories that people will read, stories that will stay with them, stories that mean something. I have so many tales I want to tell, and so many ideas I want to introduce to children. I've seen the gaps in the children's book world and I want to help fill it. I have failed to find my life story, and the stories of my children's lives in the books that we read each night. I'm so excited to get these stories on to paper and to share them with all of you!
