I was born in Schenectady, New York, and grew up mostly in rural New Jersey, the youngest of four children. When my siblings got to be too much for me, which was often, I retreated to a quiet corner to read, or wandered in the woods behind our house, always with an eye open for the “little people” I found so fascinating in Arthur Rackham’s fairy tale illustrations. Mostly I brought home ticks.

Although I loved books, I didn’t think of writing as a career until much later—after earning a degree in Economics, and a master’s degree in Urban Planning, and spending many years in New York City and Los Angeles working for investment advisors, environmental groups and other organizations in jobs that didn’t quite fit me. At one particularly low point, I blurted out, “All I ever wanted to do was write children’s books!” This came as a complete surprise both to me and to my husband, Jack Hicks, who nonetheless graciously (if perhaps foolishly) responded, “Then do it!”

Twelve years later, I’ve sold more than twenty picture books, and am happy to say those published to date have been well-received. My son Jackson, for example, says I’m his second-favorite author, right behind J.K. Rowling. Other honors include: Child Magazine’s Best Books of the Year, Parenting Magazine’s Best Books of the Year, IRA/CBC Children’s Choice Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award, New York Public Library’s 100 Books for Reading & Sharing, Children’s Literature Choice, and the Colorado Book Award, among others.

Five years ago, we left Los Angeles for Denver (when Jack, in a dramatic turnaround of his own, left his law firm to spend more time with Jackson, among other worthy activities). Now I work in a sunny office overlooking the garden in our 1919 bungalow, with a couple of Arthur Rackham illustrations on the wall.

M IS FOR MISCHIEF: An A to Z of Naughty Children
illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Dutton, 2008
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0525475644

Here are twenty-six brats you’d never want to babysit: Catastrophic Coco, Gluttonous Griffin, Impolite Irma, and Quarrelsome Quincy, just to name a few. Linda Ashman’s perfectly crafted ditties about kids from Angry Abby, who is “apt to argue at any time and any place,” to Zany Zelda, who “zigs and zags through all the rooms,” are paired with hilariously energetic digital collages by Nancy Carpenter.

Stella, Unleashed: Notes from the Doghouse
illustrated by Paul Meisel
Sterling, 2008
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1402739873

Stella’s got an opinion on everything: the baby (“cannot be trusted near tail”), her humans, the other pets, her sleeping requirements (“But for a truly peaceful rest, be advised: Your bed is best”), undignified doggie sweaters, and the dull dryness of kibble. She even waxes poetic on the exalted status of pups in Paris, who are welcome everywhere…even in restaurants. Stella expresses it all in a series of humorous verses that will have dog-loving kids laughing out loud.

Babies on the Go
illustrated by Jane Dyer
Harcourt, baby to preschool
ISBN 978-0-15-205886-9 (board book, 2007)
ISBN 978-0-15-201894-8 (picture book, 2003)

Babies are always carried with love in this exuberant celebration of the varied and amazing ways animal parents carry their little ones.

Awards
A Child Magazine Best Book of the Year; A Parenting Magazine Best Book of the Year; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award; Texas Library Association 2X2 Selection; Children’s Literature Choice List; Please Touch Museum Best Book Award; Children’s Book of the Month Club Main Selection

What Could Be Better Than This?
illustrated by Linda Wingerter
Dutton, 2006
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-525-46954-4

A young king and queen live in a fabulous castle and have many fantastic adventures. But something is missing, until their baby arrives and they begin the greatest adventure of all.

Awards
Colorado Book Award finalist

Desmond and the Naughtybugs
illustrated by Anik McGrory
Dutton, 2006
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-525-47203-2

Desmond is a sweet boy...usually. At least until the Naughtybugs show up. On Monday morning, the Sloggies sprinkle Desmond with Dawdle Dust. On Tuesday, the Peskies persuade him to pull just one tiny apple at the grocery store. Each day brings a new Naughtybug—and more calamity. How will Desmond and his parents survive the week?

Mama's Day
illustrated by Jan Ormerod
Simon & Schuster, 2006
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-689-83475-2

Somewhere there’s a mama lifting baby from a crib,
Snapping rompers, looping laces,
Wiping crumbs from baby’s bib.

With its rhyming verse and gentle illustrations, this book pays tribute to mamas and children everywhere.

Awards
Beginning with Books Best Books for Babies 2006; starred review in Publishers Weekly