Bio

When I was in first grade my mother would take me to the bookmobile on Thursday afternoons. I loved climbing the steps and entering that library on wheels. This was not a direct connection to me wanting to be a writer or illustrator when I grew up but rather a bookmobile driver. I thought this must be the greatest job in the world. In between answering questions and checking out books for patrons, the driver simply sat in a cushioned seat, sipped a soda, and read.

I loved books as a child but never imagined writing and illustrating them. By the age of eight I wanted to work as an artist when I grew up but my notion of that was moving to New York City, spending my whole life drawing and painting, slowly starving to death, and then after I was dead, everyone would buy my paintings. It seemed a noble and romantic life but I must admit, I do prefer being able to pay bills and talk about my work while still alive.

Upon graduating from Pratt Institute I began illustrating for print publications such as Reader's Digest, Family Circle, Woman's Day and American Girl Magazine. After painting over 150 Young Adult book jackets, including Judy Blume's Just as Long as We're Together, the editor, Richard Jackson, approached me to illustrate a picture book; All I See, written by Cynthia Rylant. When Mr. Jackson noticed how I extended the text with my pictures and brought new ideas to the story, he encouraged me to write my own. I've since published 50 books for children, 20 of which I've written, including Ivan the Terrier, Matthew A. B. C. and Emily's Art. The last two books in my emerging reader series, Monkey & Robot, are graphic novels: Monkey & Robot: Friends and Neighbors, and Monkey & Robot: Flights of Fancy.

I've illustrated for some wonderful writers including Mary Pope Osborne, Joanne Ryder, Megan McDonald, George Ella Lyon and Robert Burleigh. I’ve presented my creative process from inspiration to finished book, in more than 1600 elementary schools in 40 states. In 2008, First Lady, Laura Bush, commissioned me to illustrate the White House holiday brochure, and I currently teach the first children's book writing course at Columbia University and Pratt Institute.

My favorite time to read is when I travel for school visits -- in the airplanes, hotels and restaurants. I love the solitude. Although I'm alone in my studio, my quiet time on the road is free of deadlines and chores. I like to beat traffic, arrive at the school early, recline my car seat, sip coffee, and disappear into whatever I'm reading. While my back seat is often strewn with books, it's not nearly as impressive as a bookmobile -- but I really do enjoy my job.