LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE!
I love kids – and animals and the outdoors. I write to help children learn by bringing them books that combine the things that inspire me. One of my favorite techniques is to write books in both Spanish and English so that children who speak either language can enjoy the material and start to learn the other language.
IT STARTED WITH RESEARCH
My work in health economics allowed me to
co-author a lead article in Science magazine about the well-being of children and a second article for the National Bureau of Economic Research noting the correlation between
readiness to learn in kindergarten and math test scores eight years later. Early learning matters.
LIFELONG EDUCATION
I earned a BS in math from St. Lawrence University, an MS in agricultural economics from Montana State University, studied writing in Stanford's Continuing Studies program and additional studies with a University of Washington instructor. I am an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
LOCAL SCHOOL ADVOCATE
I served two terms on the Palo Alto Board of Education. During my tenure, we stopped the closure of one of the best high schools in the United States, opened a middle and an elementary school, reduced class sizes across K-12 classrooms, and passed a bond to refurbish all the district's schools.
ALL KINDS OF SPORTS
I wanted to become a professional baseball player. Girls weren't welcome in Little League when I was growing up, so I never had the chance to get to first base. Later on, I played on softball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and field hockey teams and coached youth soccer and high school girls' softball. I have also tallied thousands of miles backpacking across the Sierras.
ALL KINDS OF SCOUTING
As a Girl Scout leader, I coordinated and chaperoned busloads of girls on 16 winter trips to Yosemite. I also helped found a high school robotics team co-sponsored by the Girl Scouts and NASA.
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LIFE AT HOME
My husband and I enjoy our 3 amazing daughters and 6 wonderful grandchildren. We all love to hike, travel, and hang out together.
We also enjoy long walks with our dog Ginger. She is a trained therapy dog who brings joy to everyone she meets.
