About Me

Writer, school psychologist, equestrian, artist, dog agility enthusiast, lifelong learner — and whole-hearted believer in the power of kidlit.

Who I am and why I write

Like many writers, my career path is punctuated with meanders. Within each looping life-arc, I've experienced new challenges, people, and ideas and discovered myself. Writing balances my passion for artistic beauty and emotional expression with an analytical, problem-solving mind.

Why kidlit? In addition to uncovering passions on my journey, I’ve meandered into dark valleys and encountered ambushes becoming more resilient with each new hurdle. Having observed many story times with excited, entertained and interested children, as well as the distracted and disenfranchised, I've witnessed the magical effect of rhythm, silly rhyme, humor, and high stakes on engagement. I whole-heartedly believe in the power of kidlit to responsibly shape internal narratives and provide age-appropriate challenges that nurture resilience.

Credentials & background

School Psychologist, BA, MA, CAS — 20 years in public school service

My time spent in classrooms and one-on-one with children, enrich every story I write. I consider how children process the world at each developmental stage, from the Pre-operational child exploding their vocabulary and befriending their stuffies, to the Concrete-operational third-grader just beginning to think logically about fairness and rules. That knowledge lives in the subtext of my characters' voices, their fears, and their triumphs.

What I write

I write picture books and chapter books for primary and elementary school children.

Themes I return to again and again:

  • Resilience — children bouncing back from setbacks, learning that difficulty is survivable and even generative.
  • Adaptability — characters who adjust to change and discover new strengths in the process.
  • Emotional literacy — children naming, understanding, and advocating for their own feelings.
  • Curiosity and wonder — the delight of figuring something out and the beauty of not-yet-knowing.