Karen Deans is a childrens' book author and illustrator living in Bethesda, Md. She has worked as a journalist and fine artist and is currently the lead set painter at a children's theater in the DC area. This work has taken her to Broadway, as set painter for a musical adaptation of the children's book Three Little Birds, based on the music of Bob Marley. Karen has instructed children in the craft of storytelling through writing, drawing and painting. As the mother of three grown children, one of her greatest joys is to help inspire young people to reach their fullest creative potential.