BIOGRAPHY I BOOKS I PRESENTATIONS I BOOK ORDERING

Besides being a writer, I've

been an art historian, a fashion

editor, a social worker, the host

of "Art in Action," which was a

radio talk show, the program

director of a community arts

council, a contributing author

to the Cousteau Society's

Environmental Almanac, an

editor of educational books,

and then, of course children's

books. I've taught fiction in

college and cleaned apartments

in Manhattan. I do all kinds of

writing: poetry, picture books,

biographies and essays."

I love being a writer. When I

was a young child, the radio

brought wonderful jazz right into

our living room. I sang the lyrics

and danced to the tunes. Soon I was making up my own words.

And I still do. I delight in using rhythms and rhyme now as much as I did as a little kid. I love the very taste of words. There's nothing better than finding just the right words to make a new connection between ideas or images. It's super-delicious to share that connection with readers.

I love to do all kinds of writing. I write poetry and picture books, biographies and essays. Where do I get my ideas? Our planet pulses with life; from teeny, tiny germs to gigantic elephants and whales. And people are the most amazing of all. Ideas are all around saying, "Choose me!" "Choose me!" I get my ideas from everywhere!