I write picture books - both fiction and non-fiction, poetry books, and early chapter books. My books come out of my life and my particular interests. They feature the people I know, or those I wonder about, the places I’ve been. They are influenced by the books I’ve read and the experiences I’ve had. But in almost every case, those people, places, and experiences are enhanced, enlivened, and changed by the power of story. For example, Voices of Ancient Egypt, illustrated by Barry Moser, is a picture book for students in upper grades. Each double-page spread features a poem and a portrait of a worker in Ancient Egypt.  I have visited Egypt twice, spent time in the Cairo museum, sailed on the Nile in a felucca, and ridden a horse around the pyramids. I've traveled to Luxor, ridden donkeys to the Valley of the Kings and the Queens, explored the tombs of the Nobles, had tea with my guide and his family, read ancient poems and essays, viewed videos, examined exhibits, heard early music on authentic instruments. But when it came time to write, I still listened for the voice of those workers who lived so long ago - the scribe, the dancer, the washer of clothes, the embalmer, the sailor, the farmer, the goldsmith, the pyramid builder, the herdsman, the weaver, the carpenter and the marsh man.  What did he or she want to say? What was their story?  

The Dancer

My troupe moves in and out as one,
no feast complete without our presence.

We dance to praise,
give thanks for the rising of the Nile,
the harvest gathered in.
We stretch and bend,
mirror one another in stately style.
We click our clappers.
The singers follow close behind. 

We dance to mourn.
At the feast of Eternity
we usher the spirit on his journey.
We celebrate the one who’s gone
to the Field of Peace.
His statue watches.
Even when they are sorrowing,
we delight the guests.
I am a dancer.
My job is joy.                                 

New Book

Available May, 2008