My earliest memories revolve around my two loves: music and books. I grew up in a musical family with jazz tunes swirling around the living room, and books were magical to me. I couldn't wait to learn how to read!

If I wasn't outside playing tag football with the boys, I was sitting on the fence with my nose in a book. My love of reading sparked a love of writing. Putting words on paper was thrilling to me.

My passion for children's literature intensified with the birth of our first child, Melissa. Book after book, I read to her. During that time, I wrote "Benjamin's Story Night," my first children's story.

After the birth of our second child, Steven, I continued to read to our children, and continued to write. I joined SCBW (Society of Children's Book Writers), now SCBWI. I found a writing critique group. For the first time in my life, I had writing friends.

When our children were in elementary school, I was offered the position of librarian at their school. Best job ever! I love children, and children's literature. The more I read to Melissa, Steven, and my library kids, the more inspired I became to create books of my own. After nearly four years, I said a tearful goodbye, and left the library to write full-time at home.

I wrote and submitted. And then, I set writing aside for a while... until I had grandkids.

Reading to them invited book ideas to march, skip, and jump through my mind. I had to write! Writing for children will always be my passion. I love the entire creative process, from the spark of an idea to the first draft, and finally, the joy of completion.

I live in Southern Orange County, California, with my husband, Len, my animated 30-year-old parrot, Keiko, and our Velcro dog, Murphy.

💜Lynette