All I ever wanted to be when I grew up was a mother and a teacher. I became both. But while teaching I fell in love with children's books. I loved reading to my daughters and my students. I still read to my grown-up daughters when they come to visit. We sit under warm covers in bed and share the stories we love.

As a child, I read all the time. I used to walk to the neighborhood library with my dog Spotty. Of course, she was not allowed inside, but waited patiently by a tree, snoozing in the grass. I still read all the time and I especially love picture books—which is probably why I write them.

I began writing and painting about eleven years ago. My writing is closely linked to my paintings. Frequently the themes I am working on in my stories will show up in my art and that is always fun for me. I learned quickly that it is important to write about topics and characters that I care about, and I always hope the readers will, too.

My picture book, Loon Summer (Eerdman's, 2001) won the Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year Award. Anna's Corn (Eerdman's, 2002) received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly. Abby's Chairs is scheduled to published in the fall of 2004.

Currently I live in Rockford, Illinois, with my husband Michael and our two cats, Petey and Paulie. I frequently teaching writing and art workshops. In my free time I love to visit schools, travel, canoe, bike, and, of course, read.

Abby's Chairs
illustrated by Debrah Santini
Eerdman's, 2004
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8028-5205-2

No matter what changes she makes, Abby's old chairs just don't look right in her new home until some friendly townspeople show her the value of a fresh perspective.

Anna's Corn
illustrated by Lloyd Bloom
Eerdman's, 2002
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8028-5119-2

"Listen to the corn, Anna," Grandpa said. "It makes its own kind of music."

The music of the corn is beautiful to Anna, just like Grandpa's raspy, crackling voice. When winter comes, though, Grandpa dies. Anna hangs onto the dried kernels of corn Grandpa had given her, but she wonders if she will ever hear the corn's music again. Then she remembers her promise to Grandpa.

Anna's Corn portrays the love between a grandparent and grandchild and gently looks at loss and grief and the hope of new life. Barbara Santucci's simple story gently reassures young readers that memories can help heal our sadness, while Lloyd Bloom's poignant images capture the changing seasons of nature and life.

Loon Summer
illustrated by Andrea Shine
Eerdman's, 2001
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8028-5182-6

Rainie knows that this summer will be different. As she and her dad spend time together at the cottage, Rainie is painfully aware of her mom's absence. Throughout the summer, Rainie watches a pair of loons on the lake—watches them lay eggs, hatch babies, and be together as a loon family.

"You told me loons stay together for life. Why can't you and Mom?" she asks her dad.

Loon Summer is an authentic, hopeful story of a child adjusting to the difficult reality of changes in her own family. As summer progresses, Rainie grows in her trust and understanding of the unconditional love each of her parents will always have for her.