When I was a little girl, I spent hours at a time reading Colliers Encyclopedia, specifically the Junior Classics. I loved the stories, and the illustrations were amazing. The complex drawings brought the characters to life. After graduation, I married and had a family of my own. Every night I read stories to my children. As I watched their faces light up with excitement, I knew they would remember the beloved tales, just as I have. While raising a family, I worked at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and School of Nursing. Through the years I worked toward a Fine Arts Degree. I often thought about writing and illustrating children's books, but life was busy and I didn't have the time. After I retired from The Johns Hopkins University, I was finally able to devote time to pursuing my dream.