I have always loved to read and loved the written word. I think of all fiction as “picture books” as even with adult literature, I envision scenes and characters so strongly in my mind.
I create my stories much as I do my artwork, starting with a little “bit” of inspiration, a thumbnail sketch as it were, and let it lead me where it will. Writing is a very trusting, intuitive process for me.

The story for my picture book, Lucky Boy (Houghton Mifflin, 2002), started as the story of an unlucky little dog and a lonely widower. The dog was based on a dog in my neighborhood and the man, based on my father. I needed a happy ending for these real life stories. When I showed my story (in the form of a dummy book) to Ms. Rider at Houghton Mifflin Company, I was hoping for someone to take note of the pencil drawings and give me some illustration work. To my amazement, she loved the story and I found myself with a contract for my first picture book. Lucky Boy is indeed lucky. It has gone to a second printing and is being published in Korean and Japanese.

I'm currently working on a number of picture book manuscripts and a chapter book manuscript.