When I was a child, books often were my very good friends. I suppose it was a logical next step for me to want to write, and I do recall thinking about words and how to line them up, how they would sound spoken as I practiced in front of the bathroom mirror. But in spite of all of this apparent interest, it took me a long, long time to get up the courage to write. I spent a lot of time trying to find the right career for myself, never feeling confident to try an artistic one. Of course now I’m glad that I stopped waiting to be a writer and just gave it a try.

As for the facts of the case: I grew up in the Midwestern US; Chicago, Springfield, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned a B.S. degree in secondary education. After that, I worked at a variety of jobs, including waitressing, substitute teaching, freelance audio and video production, and purchasing agent in a novelty gift manufacturer. I’m currently working a day job at the University of Minnesota as an Information Technology Specialist.

When in my early thirties, I decided I would try to write seriously, and so I eventually applied to a graduate program in creative writing at Antioch University and spent nearly 2 years in London, England at Antioch's center there. Pursuing a master’s degree gave me the time to concentrate on writing, find out if I even wanted to do it and what kind I might want to do. Concentrating on writing in a country not my own really inspired me often to see my own country and my own history in much greater detail, as well as the obvious insight into other cultures. While in England, my work was published in Foolscap, a small press magazine and on the BBC Radio 4’s Morning Story. In 1987, I won an Honorable Mention in the Loft’s Children’s Literature Contest. Upon returning to Minneapolis, I began work as a secretary at the University of Minnesota and sold a story for children to Ladybug magazine. I have been focusing primarily on writing for children since that time.

Daniel and His Walking Stick
illustrated by Constance R. Bergum
Peachtree Publishers, March 2005
ages 4-8, ISBN 978-1-56145-330-6

Jesse knows her two grandparents only through the stories her parents share. One died before she was born; the other lived long enough to visit her when she was a baby.

When Jesse and her parents spend two weeks in the country, she is drawn to Daniel, an old man who carries a walking stick. Together, Jesse and Daniel hike through the woods, cross streams, and ascend hills. When Jesse returns to the city with her parents she has her own walking stick and vivid stories and sweet memories of the summer she spent with her third grandfather.

Awards
Giverny Award for best science picture book; 2006 Patterson Prize for Books for Young People, special recognition

The Night You Were Born
illustrated by Sophy Williams
Peachtree Publishers, September 2000
ages 4-8, ISBN 978-1-56145-225-5

Young Jamie has the difficult but important job of waiting at home while his sister is being born at the hospital. While he waits he snuggles close to his Aunt Isabel as she joyfully recounts to Jamie what she did while she was waiting for Jamie to be born.

Daddy, Will You Miss Me?
illustrated by Jennifer Eachus
Orchard Books, 1999
ages 2-6, ISBN 978-0-689-85063-9

What does a little boy do when his daddy is going away for a long time? He promises to save one thing every day to show his daddy when he returns; to say, "Good night, Daddy" every night before he goes to sleep; and to mark off each day on the calendar until his daddy's return. If he still misses his daddy, then he remembers all the things his daddy promised to do, and he knows that even though they're very far apart, they're still close in each other's heart.