Stories for children. Poems for everyone.


Writing on the Wall


When I was a child, my parents let me write on one wall of my bedroom. It became my first

blank page. I filled it with stories and pictures, and when visitors came, I proudly read them my work. I remember the praise. I remember the joy. And when the wall was full, my parents painted over it—giving me a fresh start and a new space to fill. That wall became my first publishing platform and launched my writing self. Eventually, I was sad to see my stories disappear, so my parents gave me my first notebook. I've been keeping a writer’s notebook ever since.


What I Like to Write


I write picture books, poetry, novels for children, and plays for both children and adults. I’m currently working on a collection of short stories about my adventures with books.


A Little More About Me


I was born in Queens, New York, but I’ve spent most of my adult life living, teaching, and writing in rural Nova Scotia, where I became a Canadian citizen. While I’ve written many professional books for educators, my true love is writing for children. Three of my picture books—Somewhere, Touch the Earth, and If Peace Is…—were published by Mondo Publishing in New York. I’ve also published a poetry collection for young readers, Pass the Poems, Please (WildThingsPress), and my poems appear in several anthologies. My middle-grade novel, Together in Time, grew out of my passion for local history and the many requests I’ve had from children to write about the “Roxbury mystery”—a story I often share during school visits and writing workshops.


Community and Craft


I’m a member of SCBWI, a Gold member of Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, and a member of Poet’s Garage. I’ve taken part in Picture Book Summit, attended courses at Highlights, participated in Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple’s Boot Camps, joined Marcie Colleen’s Picture Book Study Halls, and studied with Storyteller Academy. I’ve made school visits through the Nova Scotia Writers’ Federation’s Writers in the Schools (WITS) program and served as Counsellor East for IBBY Canada.