In fourth grade, I got in trouble for drawing too much during class.

After graduating magna cum laude from Columbus College of Art and Design as an Illustration major, I worked in the graphics department at an educational publisher. Now I write and illustrate children's books.

I wrote and illustrated multiple upcoming board books, including GOOD NIGHT, CUDDLE TIGHT: A Bedtime Bunny Book (Tommy Nelson), which will be released December, 2023. I also wrote and illustrated the picture book, PENGUIN CHA-CHA (Random House).

I've illustrated the following:
• POPPY TAKES PARIS: A Little Girl’s Adventures in the City of Light (written by Allison Pataki and Marya Myers, Simon & Schuster)
• NELLY TAKES NEW YORK: A Little Girl’s Adventures in the Big Apple (written by Allison Pataki and Marya Myers, Simon & Schuster)
• FEEL THE BEAT: Dance Poems that Zing from Salsa to Swing (written by Marilyn Singer, Dial)
• PRETTY MINNIE IN HOLLYWOOD (written by Danielle Steel, Doubleday)
• PRETTY MINNIE IN PARIS (written by Danielle Steel, Doubleday)
• THE GOODBYE CANCER GARDEN (written by Janna Matthies, Albert Whitman)
• CORA COOKS PANCIT (written by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore, Shen's Books)
• THE LITTLE WINGS Chapter Book Series (written by Cecilia Galante, Random House)

I'm represented by Linda Pratt from Wernick & Pratt Agency.

Some of my favorite things in life are my husband and daughters, dark chocolate, hot fudge pudding cake, being a VBS Director, collecting picture books, reading, ballroom dancing with my husband, traveling, old-timey musicals, penguins, and my faith in Jesus.

I grew up in Wisconsin, studied in Ohio, moved to Texas, taught English for a summer in China, and now live in Indiana. I tend to draw a mouse, hippo, monkey, and penguin somewhere in each of my recent picture books.

I create my art in Photoshop using a Cintiq display and pressure-sensitive pen. I find that working digitally allows me to be creative and edit easily, without the hazard of spilling dirty painting water or drinking it by mistake.

If you're interested in writing or illustrating for children, I strongly recommend joining the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and getting involved in your local region. That’s where you can find out how to submit, find publishers, find help, and meet lots of wonderful book people.