Meet the Author
Fun Facts
- Family Ties: I’m the 6th of 7 children! (I’m the one wearing the red corduroy pants in the family photo.)
- Artistic Roots: My grandfather and mother both illustrated books and movies with Walt Disney, so my amateur art skills are inherited.
- “Little Bird” Nickname: I earned the nickname “Little Bird” as a baby because I loved to pucker my lips like a bird’s beak and leap off furniture with my blanket, attempting to take flight. I also made nests out of blankets and slept in random corners of the house!
- Sports Enthusiast: I love sports! In high school, I was on the diving and CIF championship basketball teams. In junior college, I competed in the heptathlon and volleyball. In college, I played two more years of volleyball. After I married, I earned a few top-3 medals in triathlons. I still love being outdoors and playing games.
- Kid at Heart: I love kids of all ages! I think they’re clever, innocent, courageous, and downright hilarious. I could play with them all day—oh wait, I do!
Why Did You Write This Book?
In Swim With Me, I wanted to share my experiences and passion for teaching little ones how to swim. I believe this essential skill is easier to learn than most people think, so I decided to explain it through simple rhymes, illustrations, and uncomplicated directions to show just how effortless swimming can be. By reading this book, both parents and children will discover the simplicity and joy of swimming together. Neither needs to be afraid to play and learn in the water.
My hope is that Swim with Me becomes more than a story—it becomes a household staple, a legacy. This book can be read regularly to reenforce the skills needed to build a foundation to becoming a strong swimmer. Keep it by the nightstand, the bathtub, pack it for trips to the pool, gift to new swimmers, new parents, or pass it down to the grandchildren. Let’s raise a generation that not only loves the water but knows how to respect it.
What Are Your Future Plans?
I’ll keep writing about my life through the eyes of a child! In my upcoming stories, Little Bird will share true experiences from her childhood. Some are bold and adventurous; others are sad, lonely, or challenging. But they all teach important life lessons about resilience, determination, and staying positive.
Readers will learn about Little Bird’s desire to be brave, clever, silly, and sometimes to accept life’s challenges as opportunities to grow. My next book, Where Are Your Manners?, is a funny story about a little boy’s search for friends during a visit to the local swimming pool—stay tuned for its release in 2026!