My Story

Born in West Chester, PA, my family moved to California when I was 4 years old. I grew up near Los Angeles in a town resplendent with hiking trails, twisting roads, and magical trees. Behind our house lay a vast easement protected by giant California oaks, brush-covered hideaways, and a bamboo forest. My brothers and I sowed adventure in our secret garden until the dinner bell rang, calling us home.

My mother read to us. Closing my eyes, even now, I am transported to our old sofa, nestled beneath her arm, one ear listening to her heartbeat, the other to the vibration of her voice. Continuing the tradition, I read aloud to my four children. Reading with them resides in my heart’s Hall of Favorite Things, supplying threads of connection, love, safety… joy, tragedy, overcoming… creative expression, resilience, and rest. As a parent, tutor, and volunteer, I witness the many layers of GOODthat come from reading to children. Whether the stories are Swedish fairy tales, African folk tales, Seuss, Silverstein, or Harry Potter, the characters’ voices, morals of the story, marvelous illustrations, wicked suspense and belly laughs are stitched into the fabric and foundation that connect us.

I live in San Diego with my husband, our youngest son, and our dog Koa. Our children are nearly all grown and flown. And now I write stories for children, focusing on picture books. I have a B.A. in History from Claremont McKenna College, am a member of SCBWI and the Alliance of Independent Authors. I love playing outdoors, and if I could do everything all the time, I would.