About

biography
I was born in Portland, Oregon and now live in New York. I worked as a School Based Occupational Therapist for almost 26 years, within a school network and later as a therapist with my own private practice. I work now as a writer and as a volunteer, leading a children’s writers group and sharing my love of reading and writing through festivals and presentations to schools and library groups. I enjoy time with family and friends, reading, hiking, kayaking, listening to music, travel and playing backgammon.
author
The fourth oldest of ten children, I grew up loving to read, often checking out an armful of books from local libraries. I created many bedtime stories for my younger brothers.
I am a member of SCBWI, Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, and the President of KIWI (Kids Indie Writers & Illustrators), a local writer and illustrator’s group.
I have participated in “Festival to Go” which brings authors and illustrators into the Rochester City School District classrooms (for five years — one year on video); the Rochester Children’s Book Festival (RCBF), three times as a participating author and presenter; and I have also participated in the FC3 Flower City Comic Con, in Rochester, New York.
I have completed 2 out of 3 books in the Cloudscape series. The idea came to me when I was flying from New York to California for a college reunion. I was looking out the window at the clouds and suddenly, I could imagine kids running across them, having so much fun. I quickly wrote down my ideas and Cloudscape was born. It’s been a joy to write these books and I hope to complete the 3rd and last of the series by the end of 2025.
RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work with APOPO, my third book, was launched this year and can be ordered from local bookstores. This biographical science book shares the exciting training of the RescueRATs of APOPO to find survivors after a natural disaster, and the girl who grew up to be a scientist working with them.

