I was an unambitious child. I had no grand dreams to become this or that, a firefighter, a lawyer, a dancer. I had no clue, but more accurately, I never thought about what I might do with the rest of my life. School kids ask me today, "did you always want to be a writer?" And I have to admit to them that no, mostly I just hung out and didn't think much about the future.

I did, however, write as a child. I sent a long hand-written story about fairies to my grandmother. I used to sit on the banks of the St. Croix River in Wisconsin, often hiding in the trees, and write poetry. Later, as a teenager, I got roped into one newsletter after another. But it wasn't until an aunt asked me if I had ever considered journalism as a profession that the writing lights went on. I was about to enroll in the University of Minnesota and, as a typical freshman, didn't know what to major in. My journalism training eventually led to a reporting job, a freelancing career and finally children's book writing.

When I was growing up, I was a regular patron of the Arlington Hills public library on the east side of St. Paul, Minnesota. I read many children's classics, but I think my favorite book was King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry. I loved not only the story and the language, but the beautiful illustrations by Wesley Dennis. When I became a new mother, one of the first books I purchased for my daughter was Margaret Wise Brown's, The Sailor Dog. As I read it to her, I began to realize that I already knew and loved this book, that my parents must have read it to me when I was a small child. I am convinced that rediscovering "the sailor dog" played a major role in my becoming a children's picture book writer.

Today I live in St. Paul, Minnesota, the town where I grew up, with my husband, Dave, and our cat, Frankie. Dave is almost always the last person to read a manuscript before I send it out. Frankie, after all these years of appearing to be useless, finally inspired a story. My daughters, Emily and Anna, have grown up. But they still want to hear about the stories I am working on and they still provide help in ways that I can't possibly quantify.

Sleepyhead Bear
illustrated by Ian Schoenherr
Greenwillow, 2006
ISBN 978-0-06-059675-0

It is a hot summer day, and
Bear's eyes are droopy.
But . . .
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
pesky bugs are buzzing
here and there and everywhere.
What is a sleepy little bear to do?
He could try a growl.
GRRRRRR!
He could try a roar.
ROAR!
He could try swimming
and climbing and hiding
and running . . .
oh, dear!

It's a hot summer day, and
now Bear really needs a rest. Help!

We're Rabbits!
illustrated by Jeff Mack
Harcourt, 2004
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-15-204671-2

Can three hungry rabbits eat an entire garden full of mouthwatering vegetables and not get caught? They'll do their best, but one thing stands in their way: the diligent young gardener who doesn't want to share her tasty lettuce, cucumbers, and carrots. She'll only let the rabbits stay if they eat all the vegetables she doesn't like. But who wants smelly leeks, puny parsnips, and tough old turnips? Not these rabbits!

Earthshake:  Poems from the Ground Up
illustrated by Cathie Felstead
Greenwillow Books, 2003
all ages, ISBN 978-0-06-029265-2

Reading Guide available from Minnesota Storytime

Maybe that plain old rock has gleaming jewels inside. Maybe Africa and South America used to be best friends. Maybe a clam that died 300 million years ago is in your backyard. What secrets is Earth hiding? These twenty-two poems leave no stone unturned in exploring the world's natural wonders. Crack this book open and watch geology sparkle.

Awards
2004 Riverbank Review Children's Books of Distinction

Our Family Tree: an Evolution Story
illustrated by Lauren Stringer
Harcourt Children's Books, 2003
ISBN 978-0-15-201772-9

Reading Guide available from Minnesota Storytime

All of us are part of an old, old family. The roots of our family tree reach back millions of years to the beginning of life on earth. Open this family album and embark on an amazing journey. You'll meet some of our oldest relatives—from both the land and the sea—and discover what we inherited from each of them along the many steps of our wondrous past.

Awards
2004 Riverbank Review Children's Books of Distinction

Elementary school lesson plan for this book.

Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck
illustrated by Sam Williams
Greenwillow, 2000
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-688-16178-1

When a cold little duck returns to her pond too early one "miserable and frozen spring," she receives an unpleasant surprise: her feet freeze to the ice ("stuck stuck stuck"). She tucks her head under her wing and begins to think warm thoughts of spring: "wiggly worms and shiny beetles" ("black black black") and "blades of grass in squishy mud" ("snack snack snack"). Her quiet and creative patience pays off, and before she knows it, spring has truly arrived, along with a group of ducks who touch down on the little pond beside the not-so-cold little duck.

Awards
ALA Notable for 2001 and IRA Children's Choices for 2001

The Hayloft
illustrated by K.D. Plum
Puffin, 1998
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-14-038643-1

Caroline Rose and Ivy's favorite place on their farm is the hayloft. Whether they're swinging on the rope swing, watching the cat play, or spending a summer night sleeping in the hay, there's always fun to be had in the hayloft. "Right on target for newly independent readers."M

October Smiled Back
illustrated by Ed Young
Henry Holt, 1996
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8050-1776-2

With simple and evocative verse this book captures the essence of the twelve months. From the puddle-gray eyes of November through October's star-light nights, each month is eloquently portrayed in both words and pictures ... A beautiful book for all collections.

Meg and Dad Discover Treasure in the Air
illustrated by Deborah Durland Desaix
Henry Holt, 1995
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8050-2418-0
out of print

"Meg and her dad take a walk in the woods, where they find 'rocks that look like stacks of lumpy pancakes.' Her dad explains the creation of these fossils and their role in creating Earth's oxygen about two billion years ago. Dad's story of those prehistoric times is pictorially presented with his narrative in refreshing, harmonious, and realistic illustrations done in watercolor, ink, and colored pencil. Teachers will find this blend of scientific information and fiction an appealing way to introduce the study of rocks and fossils to youngsters. A concluding note substantiates the scientific facts about the stromatolites, which were built by tiny organisms named cyanobacteria that used the process of photosynthesis to create an atmosphere filled with enough oxygen to support plant and animal life as we know it today."

When the Fly Flew In
illustrated by Brad Sneed
Dial Books for Young Readers, 1994
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8037-1431-1

Napping in the midst of a child's messy bedroom are several household pets. All is peaceful until a fly buzzes in. Suddenly toys, laundry, and old fruit are flying every which way. Both mess-makers and neatniks alike will love this action-packed story. Sneed's spirited paintings hit the mark in this extraordinary chain reaction.

Awards
Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 1995

This Way Home
illustrated by Normand Chartier
Henry Holt, 1994
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8050-1368-9
out of print

A flock of yearling Savannah sparrows feels the cool wind of September as it blows across the prairie. The wind tells the birds it's time to fly to the warm south for the winter. The sun, the stars, and the earth will show them the way to get there. The process of bird navigation is illuminated in this informative yet lyrical picture book.

Purple Delicious Blackberry Jam
illustrated by Barbara McGregor
Little, Brown, 1992
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1-55970-167-9

In a delightfully comic story with words and pictures full of character, slapstick, and funny reversals, two children nag their crotchety grandmother to make blackberry jam. McGregor's cartoon-style illustrations in pen and watercolor dance across the pages, as messy and warm as the story, and all the generations will appreciate the reversal of the stereotype of competent, wise, domestic granny in touch with the old cottage crafts.

Water's Way
illustrated by Ted Rand
Little, Brown, 1991
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1-55970-062-7
out of print

A book exploring forms of water, using a story as the vehicle. As a boy waits inside for snow to fall, water boiling on the stove produces steam, a window fogs up, and he fills a bathtub. Corresponding changes in water outside are also shown, until it snows. The illustrations show even subtle changes clearly.

The Sun, the Wind and the Rain
illustrated by Ted Rand
Henry Holt, 1990
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8050-1481-5

This imaginative picture book pairs two story lines to show the geological processes of mountain building. There is a real mountain made by the earth and one made out of beach sand by Elizabeth in her yellow sun hat. As the larger mountain is shaped over the eons by wind, sun and rain, so Elizabeth's miniature mountain is worn down by the same elements over a period of a few hours. Ted Rand's dramatic watercolors reinforce the idea that the earth's seemingly solid surface is just as changeable and impermanent as children's sand structures: a nice blend of art, science and philosophy.

Awards
Notable Children's Trade Books in Social Studies, 1988; Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 1988

Good Morning, River!
illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray
Little, Brown, 1990
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1-55970-011-5

Katherine's elderly neighbor teaches her about the river, and his quiet friendship encourages her through various childish experiences. Eventually, when Carl's health begins to fail, Katherine must take over his morning greeting to the river. The diffuse watercolors depict the seasonal moods of nature as well as the unspoken love in this relationship.

Condor
Series book—Wildlife: Habits and Habitat
Macmillan, 1990
ages 8 to 12, ISBN 978-0-89686-515-0
out of print

Tania's Trolls
illustrated by Sharon Wooding
Little, Brown, 1989
ages 7 to 10, ISBN 978-1-55970-040-5

As the big music festival approaches, Tania must conquer the trolls that her grandmother, a concert pianist, has told her about—the mischievous spirits who grab children when they play sour notes.

Serengeti
Series: National Parks
Macmillan, 1989
ages 8 to 12, ISBN 978-0-89686-433-7
out of print