Welcome! My name is Laurie, and I live on the north shore of Long Island, NY with my husband, two boats and a three-legged dog named Abby. I’m also an author and illustrator of picture books and middle grade novels.

I’ve been drawing ever since I got my hands on that first box of crayons. While I enjoyed writing, I didn’t give myself permission to really jump in until many years later when my husband and I took our 85-foot classic wooden boat south on the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to Florida. What an adventure! I spied dolphins swimming in our wake, alligators lurking along the shore. Hawks and eagles flew above, and when we stopped to explore Edisto Island in Georgia, a wild boar ran right in front of us, snorted and scurried off! I even collected shells along the way that inspired me to write MAYA’S TREASURE.

I was born in NYC and grew up in Queens NY, with lots of pets. At one point my family accumulated one lizard, two dogs, a hamster and 21 cats! Dinnertime was a critter carnival. I named every one of them and each had their own remarkable personality. Animals have incredible spirits and have always been a huge part of my life. You’ll notice I try to include them in much of my artwork.

I studied fine art and children’s book illustration at Queens College, and went on to become a freelance graphic designer. Being a freelancer was fun. It gave me an opportunity to design for lots of different companies and organizations. I really enjoyed designing projects for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center and the South Street Seaport Museum. I even had the opportunity to design plush animals and dolls for the toy industry!

My first book, MISADVENTURES OF A MAGICIAN’S SON, is a middle grade story published by Clear Fork Publishing in 2020. My newest picture book, MAYA’S TREASURE, was published by Peter Pauper Press in November 2021.

I love writing heartfelt stories and poetry, but I also really enjoy conjuring up funny stories that make kids and grown-ups giggle. Giggling is important! When I’m not writing, I’m drawing. Sometimes with pastel, sometimes with pencils, and more recently on my IPAD in Pro Create. Maybe I’ll start sharing my process here soon!

Lastly, I’m a member of SCBWI and Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge. And I always enjoy taking part in contests like Vivian Kirkfield’s #50 Precious Words. These groups have been super helpful in strengthening my work both as an author and an illustrator.

Take a look around. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me!

Oh yeah, this is a photo of a few of the dolphins that swam in our wake. I didn’t get to take one of the wild boar. By the time I clicked my digital camera, he was gone!