My love for writing grew out of my love for drawing. I started that when I was two, though I was too young to remember myself. After years of drawing superheroes, ninjas, and barbarians, I took art lessons from children's author/illustrator Robert J. Blake and learned tons about drawing, design, and . . . storytelling. After high school, I studied life drawing and painting at the Art Student's League of New York. Then I went to Rutgers College and earned a BA in English.

 

My first picture book was published by Henry Holt & Co. in 2001. It was called The Dog Who Loved the Good Life. I was both the author and the illustrator. I went on to illustrate lots of other books. Eventually I published my second picture book as author and illustrator: Tornado Slim and the Magic Cowboy Hat (Two Lions, 2012). That book won a Spur Award for Storytelling from Western Writers of America. But more importantly, it made me realize I really, really like writing. Even more than drawing.

 

In the years since, I've focused primarily on writing, mostly for the educational market. I write animated stories for EFL students, leveled and decodable readers, workbook materials, and classroom/library books.

 

I live in New Jersey with my wonderful wife, who runs her own nature school (where I teach art!). We have two kids, three dogs, and three cats. If I'm not writing or teaching, I might be running in the woods.

​

Check out my resume here.