Picture Book Island

Meet The Author/iIllustrator

I am an adventurous author, illustrator and artist who lives off the grid, on an island, in the rain forest.

My husband, Gary and I, are proud of our choice to leave a small footprint and utilize solar power and rain catchment. Living in the jungle does have some challenges, but it is well worth it.



When I am not out diving, snorkeling or kayaking with my dogs, Margarita and Lili, you can usually find me in my studio, writing, painting or creating.

In addition to my new children’s picture books, "Agador and Mila’s Jungle Adventure", and "Holly The Hummingbird", I also create tropical watercolor and driftwood paintings, as well as fine art photography. I operate a local gallery in Bocas del Toro, Panama. You can find me in my studio or visit my websites.

The island gallery is located on an island in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, in the Bocas del Toro Province of Panama.

Island Art Bocas | Tropical Art & Souvenirs
www.islandartbocas.com
Bocas Artist | Art Studio & Gallery
www.bocasartist.com
To find out more about me,

visit the Blog.

What Books Mean To Me
My children and I, had very different experiences with books as kids. As a Child, I hated to read. I had headaches and struggled. My best friend in high school actually read my English class novels to me. She did not remember that until I recently reminded her.

It was not until much later in life that I realized I was dyslexic. I could always read at a high level. I just hated it. Words that I thought looked OK were spelled wrong and words that look totally wrong to me were indeed correct. I still struggle with this everyday.

I do however, have very fond memories of reading time with my children. We curled up in bed or on the couch almost every night to read. Early on, we read numerous wonderful children’s picture books, and even years later, as young adults, and quite advanced readers by then, I would catch a glimpse of my children rereading their old picture books.

Our old Victorian home had a history of once being used as the local library around the turn of the 20th century. Reports of the owner’s daughter lending books to children who knocked on the back door of the home’s library were well known. In keeping with that tradition, we made a habit of donating our used books to our local library and also lending them to friends and neighbors. Sometimes however, my children just could not part with their favorite picture books and kept them to occasionally read. The power and pure joy of those early reading experiences and illustrations are quite remarkable.

As my children grew into stronger readers, we each took turns reading books aloud that were just above the children’s reading levels, so we could expand their comprehension and vocabulary. Many stories we read as a family dealt with social issues and injustices. We read books about fairness, courage, racism, slavery and poverty. I would like to think that even to this day, my now adult children, have informed views about a range of challenging social issues.

I am including these principles and social issues in my writing. I hope my books stimulate your children’s imagination and encourage a lifelong love for reading.



Lili& I



Mosaic Workshop