A native to the East Coast (Northeastern Pennsylvania to be exact), I grew up with a love for books and animals of all kinds. Though I cannot recall the first book I ever read, I can recall some of the many books that I did read, and in some cases, reread as a favored pastime at home and even school. At my elementary school, not many students (if any) had a book taken away as some form of behavioral management, but I did. Moreover, it’s probably safe to say that I was the only student who enjoyed the weekly visit to our school’s library. Even as a teenager, I was an avid reader well knowing that if I started a good book, homework and piano would most likely interfere. Happy to say, I somehow managed. Looking back, I do believe that my passion for books is what drew me to a career as an educator, and now a children's author. 

My animals, past and present, are a part of who I am.  As an only child, I developed a special closeness to each and every critter: dogs, birds, and even Fred, a minnow that I "rescued" from a nearby stream where my dad often fly fished. Dad wasn't happy that Fred relocated against his will, but he lived on for years in a well-cared for home. My critters were my playmates (Fred less so) and companions, and till today, a source of happiness and trust. 

For those of us who truly know our feathered and furry critters, each has a unique personality. Some pet owners, myself included, tend to attribute human-like characteristics when interpreting what our critters are "thinking" or why they do what they do. In other words, they anthropomorphize, and I am certainly guilty of that tendency. However, these  erroneous though heartfelt interpretations have inspired the development of the characters in Little Whoo Books. My critters, both feathered and furry, now have a voice. Moreover, I am able to apply what I have learned as an academic in a practical and certainly enjoyable way.  ​