Welcome to my website! I live on the north shore of Long Island, NY with my husband and three-legged dog named Abby. I’m also an author and illustrator of picture books and middle grade novels.

I’ve been creating art ever since I got my hands on that first box of crayons. The first thing I drew was my cat. Once I started drawing people I had trouble with feet, so I gave them wheels instead. All my humans rolled around—which is quite efficient, if you think about it.

My love of writing came much later when my husband and I took our 85-foot classic wooden boat south on the Intracoastal Waterway which runs from Virginia to Florida. What an adventure! Dolphins swam and jumped in our wake, alligators lurked along the shore. Hawks and eagles soared 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 my first picture book, 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 work.

My first book, MISADVENTURES OF A MAGICIAN’S SON, (Blue Whale Press) is a middle grade story. It’s about a boy named Alex, who after losing his father— a celebrated magician— to a fateful illusion, finds a unique deck of cards in his dad’s old desk. That’s where the adventure begins. MAYA’S TREASURE, (Peter Pauper Press) is a picture book about a determined young girl who finds beauty and purpose in what others deem broken and ugly.

I love to write about heartfelt characters. Many must navigate challenging situations only to discover something wonderful about themselves in the process. But I also enjoy conjuring up funny stories that make kids and grown-ups giggle. GIGGLING IS IMPORTANT! When I’m not writing, I’m drawing. When I’m not drawing, I’m in my kitchen baking pies or making shortbread.

When I’m not baking, I love to swim and snorkel. I once snorkeled by a barracuda, and watched a tiny fish bury himself in his underwater cave with rocks, so we couldn’t bother him. He looked so angry, it was hard not to laugh. Have you ever laughed under water? Not so easy. 😉

I’m a member of SCBWI, Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge and Inked Voices. 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, I almost forgot! This is a photo of a few of the dolphins that swam in our wake when we cruised down the Intracoastal Waterway. I didn’t get to take one of the wild boar. By the time I clicked my dinosaur of a digital camera, he was gone.