Photo by Sonya Sones

Here's a little bit about me. I'm fascinated by bugs and rocks and things in nature that seem gross, but I wasn't always...

Although I spent my childhood climbing trees, catching crabs and playing sports, I used to be petrified of spiders and did not like getting dirty.  Now I let spiders crawl up my arm, paint my face with dirt and regularly dig through scat (you can learn lots from animal poop). What caused that? Knowledge. The more you learn, the less you fear.

My interests led to a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Environmental Education. For six years, I developed and directed McDowell Environmental Center. One of my favorite things is to stand knee-deep in a clear-running stream and teach about bugs. I still do that, on occasion, when  I'm not writing, speaking to student groups or leading teacher workshops.

Now, I live in the beautiful state of Alabama with my husband, two cats (three-legged Sipsey and shy Annie) and a dog (hyper Piper).

During my free time, I like to cruise the creeks in my kayak, collect fossils, stand under waterfalls, nature journal, explore the Sipsey Wilderness or lay in a hammock and read a good book!

My books include: Mummies: Truths and Rumors, How is Soil Made?, Why do My Teeth Fall Out?, and What's in a Rattlesnake's Rattle?  I have upcoming books on garter snakes and rattlesnakes. 

I have written for children's magazines such as Science World, Highlights for Children, and KNOW: the Science Magazine for Curious Kids.

Professional magazines such as GreenTeacher, Heartbeat and Above and Beyond, have also published my articles.  

I am also the Assistant Regional Advisor for the Southern Breeze Region of SCBWI.