I LOVE making books for children!
When I approach a new project, I first consider the tone or mood of the manuscript. When I am writing, I can picture what I want the drawings to look like. For me, it's important to match the illustrations to the feel of the writing. I think it's an advantage and a skill to be adaptable and versatile. Therefore, my books look similar but not the same.
Many of my books feature anthropomorphic animals. I find that animal characters can convey humor and meaning on a child's level more readily.
I have a background in early childhood education and was a Montessori preschool teacher for several years in NYC. I think this gives me a unique perspective. Plus, I'm a mom.
I grew up in New York City and many of the places I loved were also in the books that I loved - The Plaza, Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum, the Zoo, and East 88th Street. It was a world I wanted to be a part of. My mother loved reading to me and sharing her insights on how the illustrations enhanced the stories. I would spend hours in my room writing tremendously original stories about boys being saved from wells by their heroic dogs. Even though I tried my best, I drew terrible pictures to go with them. I earned my BFA from Parsons School of Design, where I finally did learn to draw.
It's been a privilege and a dream come true to write and illustrate books for children.
Currently, I live in the Mid-Hudson Valley.
