The very first word I learned to read was A-L-L. It was particularly appropriate because from the joyful moment I got my first library card, my goal was to read every single book in the children’s section. Books were magical to me. I still feel that way. When I was in college in a small New England town, a young woman came to speak as part of an alumni career day. She lived in the unknown, glamorous, and slightly intimidating New York City. She talked about her career as an editor at a publishing house where, she told us, she got to read books all day long. It was one of those aha! moments. After graduation, I moved to New York City and began my publishing career. I spent many happy years as a children's book editor at various publishing houses. It took me a while to get used to reading on the job; at first, anytime someone walked by my desk, I’d guiltily try to hide my reading material. Then I’d remember that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing! The more I read on the job, the more I realized I wanted to write my own books. After a few false starts, my first book, Frannie’s Fruits, was published in 1989. Eventually, I became the senior editor and writer for Sesame Street Magazine, where I stayed for many years. I now work part-time as an editor at Sesame Street Books and the rest of the time from home as a freelance writer and editor. I live in a small town outside New York City, where my husband and I have brought up two children and two dogs. I still read everything I can get my hands on--and write stories and poems that, I hope, help introduce children to the magic of books.
