Our Members

Welcome to Our Members page! LICWI is comprised of over 85 published and unpublished authors and illustrators. Please scroll down to learn about each of our members! Asterisk (*) denotes published members.

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER POSITIONS
Chairperson:                                              Karenann Knotoff
Co-Chairperson:                                        Barbara Senenman
Treasurer:                                                   Cindy Sommer
Secretary:                                                    Orel Protopropescu/JoAnn Krapp
Parliamentarian:                                        Orel Protopropescu
Website Coordinator/New
     Member Liaison:                                 Donna McNaughton
Asst. Website Coordinators:                   Jacqueline Gutierrez
                                                                     Karenann Knotoff
Author/Illustrator Coordinator:            JoAnn Krapp
Board Members :                                      Brian Heinz and Sandy Lanton
Honorary Board Member :                     Orel Protopopescu

COMITTEE HEADS
Head of Hospitality: Sue Henn
Hospitality Assistant: Judy Burkhoff
Author/Illustrator Nights: Linda Maria Frank and JoAnn Krapp

Our Members

Susan Abrahams*

Susan Abrahams taught gifted children for 22 years and had numerous articles and lessons published in trade magazines and national newspapers. She lives on Long Island three blocks from her grandsons who are her constant inspirations for stories.

Book Titles
Hal the Hamptons Hound

hamptonhal@gmail.com

Janis Abrams

Ms. Janis Abrams received her M.A. in Education from Adelphi University. Her work as a primary grade teacher for thirty years has given her insight into the relationship between loving oneself and the ability to learn and function as a successful person. When she shared her writing with classes and saw how it stimulated discussion about loving yourself, Janis knew she had to pursue publication. She continues creating experiences for children by writing and teaching workshops for Mindful Meditation and Tapping for Children. She belongs to the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

www.gentlesouldiscoveries.com

Loretta Adrian

Laurie Angus*

Laurie Angus is an illustrator and author of children's nature books. Combining her love of art and nature, she endeavors to spark children's innate curiosity and fascination about our world and become avid nature lovers and explorers. Laurie is a graduate of Parson's School of Design and the New School in NYC.

Book Titles
Octopus Escapes Again!
Paddle Perch Climb

laurieangus.com

Nancy Armo*

Nancy Armo had a long career as an art director at Hewlett-Packard before making the leap into writing and illustrating children’s picture books . Her illustration work is a mixture of colored pencils, watercolor, and Photoshop techniques. She writes, draws and plays in New Suffolk, NY where wild turkeys wander the neighborhood every morning.

Book Titles
A Friend for Mole

http://www.nancyarmo.com

Jackie Azúa Kramer*

Many lives ago I was an actor, singer and school counselor. Now I'm an author, and wile away my time writing children's picture books. What ties these all together and remains a constant are my dreams and imagination…I try to live my life inspired by all my senses. Most of the time you'll find me reading, watching old movies, globe trekking and whenever possible sharing laughter & food with my family.

Book Titles
The Green Umbrella, North South Books Fall 2016 (English and German)
How Lilly Ate the Rainbow. 

Fastpencil.com
http://www.jackieazuakramer.com/

Kesi Bailer

Jennifer Ball*

Jennifer Ball is a freelance illustrator, graphic designer and painter working and living outside of New York City in Port Jefferson Long Island. She's a graduate of the Hartford Art School in Connecticut where she majored in Visual Communication Design and minored in both illustration and painting. Jen is a member of LICWI , SCBWI and CBIG. Her medium digital illustration.

Book Titles
Cleo's Big Ideas: One Thing Leads to Another
Lucky the Mounty
Oh the Things Sara Could Hear ~ coming June 2016

jenniferballfineartist.com

Debra Benigno

Debra Benigno has entered phase II of her life by leaving the corporate world behind to write and breathe life into the characters that live in her heart. Although a resident of Bohemia, New York, she also lives in the magical world of her character, Dreama, the wishing star fairy, while working on her book titled “Dreama and the Magic of Belief.” Debra has a completed picture book, “If Jenna Did a Cartwheel,” ready for query.

Caroline Berliner

Jack Bilello

June Blair*

June H. Blair is an Illustrator and freelance Artist and Designer. She has been a member of LICWI since its earliest inception as East End Children's Writers & Illustrators and a long-time member of SCBWI. Her presentations demonstrating the evolution of the children's book from sketch-to-print have been well received by audiences that range from preschool to adult.

Book Titles
The Barnyard Cat
The Alley Cat
Still A Family

Maria LaPlaca Bohrer*

Karen Bonnet*

Karen Bonnet began her career as an editor/reporter in the early 1990s. Today, she works in public relations and marketing through her business, KLB Services. Karen is a co-host of a television show, The Writer’s Dream, which features local authors. She enjoys providing book discussions and workshops for schools, libraries, and book stores, based on
her riveting adventure story for elementary school-age children, as well as her life experiences.

Book Titles
Whale Island and the Mysterious Bones

www.whaleislandstories.wordpress.com

Alexander Booth*

Judith Burkhoff

Laura Callan

Ellen Cappello*

Michael Cascio*

Selene Castrovilla*

Selene Castrovilla is an award-winning teen and children’s author. Selene holds an MFA in creative writing from New School University and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons.

Book Titles
The Girl Next Door
Saved By The Music
By the Sword
Upon Secrecy

www.SeleneCastrovilla.com

Deborah Cuneo*

Deborah Cuneo is a freelance illustrator, art teacher and an active member of SCBWI, CBIG and LICWI. Her current, finished     work is mixed media and digital, although she's always exploring new combinations of mediums with which she can create art. In addition to illustrating for both the general and educational children's book markets, Deborah also creates art for invitations, greeting cards, house and pet portraits, and basically anything that can be sewn, painted or printed on!

Book Titles
Little Dragon and the New Baby
                                         Over In The Meadow
                                         How the Coyote Brought Fire to the People

www.deborahcuneoillustration.com
http://www.deborahcuneo.blogspot.com

Susan D'Amato

Diana Ting Delosh*

Diana Ting Delosh is an illustrator/writer. Her illustration credits include: Farfaria, Harcourt Achieve, Scott Foresman, Ladybug Magazine. She has written for Highlights/High Five and Ladybug magazines. Diana received the Highlights/High Five Pewter Plate Award for Puzzle Poem of 2008 and the 2002 SCBWI Magazine Merit Honor Award for Illustration. She is a member of the SCBWI, CBIG and LICWI.

Book titles
An armful of Acorns
The Greedy Anteater
Once Upon a Midnight

http://dianadelosh.com

Michael Dotsikas*

Michael Dotsikas is the creator of Benjamin Birdie – the little bird with a BIG dream! Michael was born in Greece and emigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was four. He now lives in Manorville, NY with his wife, Dina, their blended family of five amazing children, and two precious pups. In addition to his passion for creating stories for children, he is a technology consultant and is founder and owner of Business Systems Consulting, a leading NY technology firm that provides premium computer consulting services to small and mid-sized companies. Traveling and spending time with family and friends are favorite pastimes.

Book titles
Benjamin Birdie’s First Flight
All Aboard the Circus Train (coming Mar. 2017)

www.michaeldotsikas.com

Jason Edwards*

Lala Fae*

Robert Fouch*

Linda Maria Frank*

Linda Maria Frank created the Annie Tillery Mystery series from her experiences teaching forensic science and her love of Nancy Drew. She likes to think of the series as Nancy Drew meets CSI. She is working on a third book and producing her local access TV show, The Writer's Dream.

Book Titles:
The Madonna Ghost
Girl With Pencil, Drawing

www.annietillery.com

Patricia Galietta*

Patricia is a full-time real estate sales professional specializing in active senior communities. She also volunteered as a religious education teacher of grade school children for the past decade. Her relationship with the children and the seniors in addition to her own personal experiences inspired Patricia to write Miracle of the Butterscotch Candy.

Book Titles
Miracle of the Butterscotch Candy
Angel's Christmas Miracle

http://www.pattigalietta.com/

Julie Gambra*

Julie Gambra, an educator, mother, wife and author, has completed her new book When My Daddy Comes Home. It is a fun and captivating story that explores the bond between father and son. With its vivid illustrations, the reader is taken on an adventurous ride through the daily life of a young boy. Published by Page Publishing and available on Barnes and Noble.com and Amazon.

Book Titles
When My Daddy Comes Home

Steve Gerli*

Glenn Gordon

Paula Groothuis*

Bonnie Grubman

Bonnie Grubman is grateful to have fallen in love with picture books, to have worked in early childhood education and to have had the dream of getting published come true. (And Moonstruck ever since.) When she is not writing, she is creating pretty things with artful "junque" like wood, nuts, bolts, lots of paint and vintage mismatched china.

Book Titles
How Do You Get A Mouse to Smile?
Oy Vey, Life in a Shoe
The Only Way I Can

http://www.bonniegrubmanbooks.com

Joe Guida*

Joe Guida is well known on Long Island, NY as "The Singing School Bus Driver." He performs his original music and stories at many schools and libraries. One of his hobbies is gardening and he grows a variety of vegetables and flowers. His moonflower plants inspired him to write his first book entitled The Legend of the Moonflower. Joe currently has three children CD's and a Scool Bus Safety DVD.

Book Titles
The Legend of the Moonflower

www.singingschoolbusdriver.com

Jacqueline S. Gutierrez*

Jacqueline S. Gutierrez’s background as an author, illustrator, and a Registered Dietitian gives her a unique perspective.
Her children’s books and educational materials convey ideas about health, nutrition, and the environment
in a fun and exciting way.

Book Titles
What Happened to My Strawberry Yogurt?
Butterfly Garden Coloring Book

www.jsgwi.com

Lillian Heckinger

Brian Heinz*

Brian Heinz is a critically acclaimed author of children's books and an award-winning educator. He is also the founder of the Author/Illustrator events, an event that brings Long Island's finest authors and illustrators to their youngest fans. He also offers writing programs to school children and teachers. When Brian has a few relaxing moments, he builds historial model boats, and enjoys vacationing with his wife Judy.

Book Titles
                                        Nathan Of Yester Year and Michael Of Today
                                        Cheyenne Medicine Hat
                                        Red Fox At McCloskey's Farm

http://www.brianheinz.com

Sue Henn

Sue Henn is an elementary teacher who shares her love of reading and writing with her third grade students. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Adelphi University and a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Stony Brook University. As a child she enjoyed writing creative stories. Her love of the craft was ignited while writing at Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Sue’s favorite pastimes are boating on the sound, spending time in the Adirondacks and playing with her silly dog Winston.

Tim Hoppey*

For 27 years Tim Hoppey worked as a New York City firefighter
stationed in Spanish Harlem. Firefighters and the inner city have been the
inspiration for many of his stories. Tim is the author of several children's
books.

Book Titles
                                                Tito, the Firefighter
                                                Pedro, the Pirate
                                                The Good Fire Helmet

Kyle Horne*

Kyle Horne is a freelance artist base in Long Island. He graduated with his bachelors degree in Visual Communications from SUNY college at Old Westbury and is continuing to pursue his goals with his first children's book. Art has been a big part of his life, ever since a very young age. He continues to incorporate that passion into his everyday life.

Book Titles (illustrator)
Mrs. Smith Topic Class: Bullying (Volume 1)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1537442988/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_PRVRzb9N3T6D6
https://www.instagram.com/kylehorneart/
https://www.facebook.com/KyleHorneArt/

Walter Jaskiewicz

Amal Karzai*

Amal is freelance illustrator and instructor from Baltimore, MD. She is published in traditional and educational children’s books and magazines and her work is in international collections and museums. She recently completed her MFA in illustration at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco and teaches at the Long Island Art League. She lives in the pleasantly strange village of Port Jefferson with her husband, daughter, and a thousand giant mushrooms.

Book Titles
John Newton
No Fighting after Today
Hetaliye (Rice Pudding)
Law Kuntu Tehran (If I were a Bird)
My Magic World
                                                     Ali's Special Cure


http://www.amalillustration.com/

Joanne Kelleher

Kathleen Kelson

Lois Kipnis*

   Lois Kipnis is a creative arts consultant with forty years of experience as a drama teacher and arts administrator.
   Her educational books are the outgrowth of her work as an artist-in-residence and instructor of workshops
   that enable teachers to integrate the arts into curriculum.

   Book Titles
   Without a Script: A Caregiver’s Journey
   Together We Can Improvise, Volume 1 (Grades K-3) and Volume 2 (Grades 4-6)
   Things Can Always Be Worse! (a one act play)

   https://www.loiskipnis.com/

Karenann E. Knotoff*

Karenann E. Knotoff began writing at the age of eight. By the time she was fifteen she had won several writing and poetry contests along with the honor of writing a play for her high school drama club. The play performed to two sold out nights. In 2007, her first children's book was published. Karenann is married with two children. She is an accomplished flutest, loves to read, swim, ride her bike, crochet, needlepoint and spend time with her family.

Book Titles
The Island of Rouge
Stylus

http://www.karenanneknotoff.com

JoAnn Krapp*

JoAnn Vergona Krapp is a School Library Media Specialist. Her articles on children’s literature have appeared in numerous periodicals, including School Library Journal and School Library Media Activities Monthly. In addition to writing, Ms. Krapp is a watercolor artist. She resides in Farmingdale, New York, where she teaches writing and painting workshops for children. She is a member of the national Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Amity Artists Circle.

Book Titles
Have a Happy and Holiday Time
                                  My Dinosaur Loves Circuses
                                  Missing Treasure Means Trouble
                                    Trouble Times Three (a sequel to Missing Treasure Means Trouble)

www.jvkarts.com
jkrapp1940@aol.com

Melissa Kuch*

Melissa Kuch first realized her passion for writing after her first story was read before her third grade class. Today, Melissa’s stories and plays continue to inspire and entertain readers from all walks of life. In addition to writing, Melissa enjoys singing karaoke, playing tennis and watching The Marx Brothers movies. She currently resides in Massapequa Park with her husband Michael and approximately 20 fish (at last count).

Book Titles
The Hypothesis of Giants (Book One: The Assumption)

www.Melissakuch.com
Twitter: @kuchmelissa

Nancy Lang-Feldman*

Sandy Lanton*

Sandy Lanton, a former teacher, earned a BA in Psychology and an MS in Early Childhood Education from Queens College.  When she isn't writing or visiting schools, she likes to crochet, play bridge, and read, read, read.

Book Titles
Daddy's Chair
                                      Lots of Latkes
                                      Still A Family, A Young Child's Book About Divorce 2011

http://www.sandylanton.com

Annina Luck

Liz Macchio*

Diana Malerba

Barbara Mason Rast*

Barbara Mason Rast is an illustrator, fine artist and author. Many of her works including children's book illustrations, corporate art, and paintings have been displayed in numerous galleries, shows, libraries and businesses. Her appreciation for fantasy, realism and beauty in nature are the main focus and inspiration in her creative work.

Book Titles
A Frog Went A-Wandering
The Chocolate Train

www.l-u-min-art.com

Susie Matias*

Rosanne Matty

Donna McCarthy*

Donna McCarthy is an author/illustrator with five published picture books for children. She has a BFA in illustration and is a retired art teacher. She is the creator of the Some People's Series. Her book of poems for children entitled Toenail Soup is inspired by her childhood growing up on Long Island and her most recent book, The Ballerina with Really Big Feet, was inspired by her daughter who is a ballet dancer.

She has designed a free school program which includes a reading of selections and a cartoon drawing tutorial.

Book Titles
Some People's Grandmas
Some People's Grandpas
Some People's Teacher
Toenail Soup
The Ballerina with Really Big Feet

www.bloombrushillos.com

Amy McCoy*

Donna McNaughton*

Donna McNaughton is a former legal secretary living on Long Island, New York, with her husband Ken. They have two married daughters with wonderful husbands and a terrific grandson. For many years, she volunteered at church and school and has worked with preschoolers through a music and movement program called “Play Hooray" (formerly Musical Moppets) offered at public libraries throughout Long Island. Learn Along With Lily is her first picture book.

Book Titles
Learn Along with Lily

www.raindropbooks.com

Adrienne Mehl

Jerry Mikorenda

Anthony Milano*

Janice Milusich*

Jan Milusich is a teacher for the blind and visually impaired and an author of picture books and middle grade e-books. She is currently looking forward to the release of her newest middle grade e-book entitled Bryn’s Quest: The Search for Clun’s Treasure. She is a member of SCBWI.

Book Titles
Off Go Their Engine, Off Go Their Lights June 2008
Marylou Q’s Dragon Dilemma June2012
Bryn’s Quest: The Search for Clun’s Treasure

www.janmilusich.com
www.jansdoodlings@blogspot.com

Tuere Morton*

Tuere Morton writes young adult fiction by night and is a health professional by day, earning an MS from the University of Stony Brook. When she isn’t voraciously reading, the Long Island native’s fearless children and lovable German Shepherd serve as inspirations for her stories. She hopes you’ll enjoy the first book in her series, ICON.

Book Titles
Icon: An Elite series

http://www.tueremorton.com/
http://tueremorton.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/tueremorton

Lisa Navarra*

Lisa Navarra M.S. Ed. is currently a Special Education Teacher, Author, Behavior Specialist and parent. As the founder of Child Behavior Consulting, LLC. She has applied years of research and implementation to design Tools Inspiring Action!™ which teach children and adults the skills in "how to learn" so academic and behavioral challenges can be overcome through visual/verbal prompts, through music and through children's books. The books, "Henry's Thoughts" and "Henry Learns To Launch" serve as a platform for adults to teach students/children how to self-regulate and to assist in the development of executive functioning skills so students/children can learn to focus, reach their potential and be the best they can be!

Book Titles
Henry Learns to Launch!
Henry's Thoughts

http://www.childbehaviorconsulting.com

Vincentia Onyejose

Lena Pennino-Smith

Lena is part of a family band called “Lena and the Happy Clam band” which performs her original music at libraries around Long Island, preschools and festivals. She is the writer of many musicals produced at The Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City. With a passion for the environment and a background in journalism, she has an interest in writing children’s books that help connect kids with nature. She lives on Long Island with her husband, Brian, two children, three cats and her a Chihuahua.

Play Titles
Happy as Clams: the Musical
Full Circle
The Princess Frog: an Enchanted Musical
Shiver Me, Patterns

www.songsbylena.com

James A. Perez*

Dr. James A. Perez has worked in the field of education for over twenty years. He is a proud husband, father, and lifelong comic book fan who lives on Long Island with his family – including his niece, Maia. In addition to fantasy adventure novels, Maia & Icarus and Maia & Hippolyta, he wrote Grandpa’s Walking Stick, a picture book for his daughter, Ellie.

Book Titles
Maia & Icarus
Maia & Hippolyta
Grandpa's Walking Stick

http://www.maiaandicarus.com/

Elliot Perry

Laura Ponce

Orel Protopopescu*

Orel Protopopescu is an award-winning children's author and poet. Her first two picture books, Since Lulu Learned the Cancan and The Perilous Pit, are now available as apps from Auryn, Inc. Two Sticks was chosen as a Bank St. Best, 2008, and Thelonious Mouse is the 2012 Crystal Kite winner of the SCBWI New York metro region. Since 1990, she has conducted fiction writing and poetry workshops in schools and libraries all over Long Island and (in 2009 and 2013) in Paris, France. Orel lives in Miller Place, New York, with her husband, Serban.

                                       Book Titles
                                         Since Lulu Learned the Cancan
                                        Two Sticks
                                        Thelonious Mouse

www.orelprotopropescu.com

Joanne Raden

Jeanne Radigan

Roberta Rivera*

Paul Rodriguez*

Paul Rodriguez is the author/illustrator, dancer/choreographer, rapper, environmentalist, teaching artist type. From New York to Louisiana, Paul has brought his books, music and programs to tens of thousands of children. With themes ranging from anti-bullying to understanding children with autism to environmental awareness, his books help children build positive self-esteem while teaching them to think and be thoughtful of others.

Book Titles
Star Spangled Sprinkles, Please!
The Friendly Factory Frenzy
Don't Do Drugs! Do Dance!

http://www.rodro.com

Cassandra St. George

Addie Meyers Sanders*

Addie holds a BA in Elementary Education and a Masters with Distinction in Secondary Education English. She has been visiting schools and conducting classroom-writing workshops for over 25 years seeing over 10,000 children annually. She loves family, friends and traveling.

Book Titles
Alligators, Monsters & Cool School Poems
Top Fin; Dolphin Dives
Don't Want To Go

Barbara Sandvik

Christa Sarazen

Christa runs a private day care center as well as teaches piano lessons to children of all ages. Being surrounded by little ones has been a constant source of inspiration for her love of writing children's stories. She is currently querying for her first Christian Easter picture book.

Darren Sardelli*

Award winning poet, motivational speaker, and children's book author, Darren Sardelli, makes poetry fun and exciting for everyone! His poems are featured in 16 children's books in the U.S. and England, and 20 textbooks (worldwide). Since 2004, Darren has visited more than 500 schools (in 8 states) as well as hundreds of libraries and camps. His assemblies and writing workshops have turned countless students and educators onto poetry. Darren's poems have been featured on Radio Disney, in best selling books on the Scholastic Book List, and are being used in lesson plans all around the world.

Book Titles
Galaxy Pizza and Meteor Pie
One Minute 'Till Bedtime
Is This A Poem?
I Hope I Don't Strike Out

http://www.laughalotpoetry.com

Joseph E. Scalia*

Joseph E. Scalia was born in Brooklyn, New York and has taught English and Creative Writing on Long Island to reluctant junior/high school students for 33 years. He has written and published numerous poems, two novels, FREAKs and Pearl, and two books of short stories, No Strings Attached and Brooklyn Family Scenes.

Book Titles
FREAKS
Pearl
Brooklyn Family Scenes

http://josephescalia.com/Writing.html

Robert Schechter*

Roy Schwartz*

Roy has written for newspapers, magazines, websites, academic organizations, tech companies, toy companies, and production studios. He received his BA in English from The New School University and his interdisciplinary MA in English and social thought from NYU. He's taught English and writing at the City University of New York, and is a writer-in-residence at the New York Public Library. When not writing novels, he's the director of communications of a regional law firm. He can be found on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as RealRoySchwartz.

Book Titles:
The Darkness in Lee's Closet and the Others Waiting There
Is Superman Circumcised? (coming spring 2019)

http://royschwartz.com/

Barbara Senenman

Melinda Sherman

Stephanie J. Shulman*

Stephanie J. Shulman has a B.A. in Fine Arts and a M.S. in Elementary Education. Stephanie is a school teacher who has been writing children’s stories and poetry as a creative outlet for many years. Her poetry was first published in "A Cascade of Memories- The National Library of Poetry". She looks forward to sharing her stories and inspiring her readers and listeners to laugh, smile, and connect through literature. Stephanie lives on Long Island with her husband and two children.
Book Titles
Monster Bash
The Nose Pickers

http://www.lillianblanchebooks.com

Cindy Sommer*

Cindy Sommer has been a member of the SCBWI and LICWI for 14 years. She is currently the Treasurer of LICWI.
She has always loved reading and writing about horses. Her horse stories have appeared in many magazines including Hopscotch and Young Rider. She is happy to announce her first picture book, which does not include horses, called
"Saving Kate's Flowers", will be coming out fall of 2016 with Arbordale Publishing.

Book Titles
Saving Kate's Flowers

www.cindysommer.com

Stephanie Sorkin*

Letty and Sheila Sustrin*

Sheila and Letty Sustrin are identical twin sisters who retired after teaching for 38 years in the Brentwood, N.Y. School District. In their "Life After Retirement" career, they have co-authored a humorous series about a retired teacher. The twins visit schools and teach children about retirement. They like to feel that their books have helped bridge the gap between young and old.

Book Titles
The Teacher Who Would Not Retire
The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Goes To Camp
The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Discovers A New Planet

www.sustrinbooks.com

Cheryl Taborsky*

When Cheryl's not running, swimming, biking, sailing, kayaking or hiking, she’s writing, painting and drawing. With eleven illustrations published with SCBWI and an award-winning poem published in Cassandra, Spring 2010, her dream of publishing one of her own books hovers ever so close. Currently Cheryl shares her stories and illustrations at Story Time with Cheryl, an interactive story time program for young adventurers.

www.storytimewithcheryl.com

Linda Taylor*

Dean Tremano*

Dean is a retired NYC Sanitation Worker and former Grumman Aerospace employee as well. His inspiration to write his first book came from rescuing a former racing Greyhound. He has begun to assemble a series of learning stories based on simple rhymes. His books will help the young reader learn on his or her own, or make a great read to me anytime story.

Book Titles
Seasoned with Salt and Pepper

http://www.saltandpeppersworld.com/

Debbie Vilardi*

Debbie Vilardi is seeking an agent for her independent work as well as freelance projects. She writes teachers' guides for Cobblestone and Dig magazines and has three picture books available from Tun Tun English. She also copy edits and writes articles for Xiaoduo Media, and moderates the Online Critiques section of the SCBWI Blueboards.
Book Titles
Animal Hospital
I Can!
Outside!

http://www.debbievilardi.com/

Sandy Wasserman*

Sandy Wasserman is a retired teacher and taught for over 35 years, working for the most part with Gifted children, including her grandchildren, who inspire many of her stories. She loves to swim, read, travel, and explore unusual places. Sandy is a member of SCBWI, LICWI and the LI Association of Jewish Librarians.

Book Titles
The Sun's Special Blessing

www.sandywasserman.com

Wendy Wax*

Wendy Wax has written many children's books and illustrated some as well. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in graphic design, and moved to NYC where she became a children's book editor and a collage artist. Wendy has written many books for Nickelodeon. She writes "Pete the Cat" early readers and illustrated Pinkeriffic Playdate, a Pinkalicious early readers. Wendy also freelances as an editor/consultant, mostly for SCBWI members who want to get published.

Book Titles
                                        City Witch, Country Switch
                                          Even Firefighters Go to the Potty
                                          Renoir and the Boy with the Long Hair
                                          Bus to Booville

www.wendywax.com

Ellen Weinstein

Gary Welch*

Sharon Yoos Zuccarello

Sharon Yoos Zuccarello writes poetry based on her life experiences and emotions. Since becoming a grandmother, she has now begun to write children's books in addition to her poetry. She has finished one children's book entitled, "The Mouse Who Sneezed From Cheese" and is currently working on another book entitled, "A Surprise For Mrs. Claus". Her e-mail address is, sharon.zuccarello@yahoo.com

Joyce A. Zucker*

Joyce A. Zucker is a teacher, and professional musical storyteller a board and table game inventor. She creates educational interactive musical stories and songs. She gives workshops and programs for teachers and children (grades Pre-k to 4). She has presented and lectured at colleges, universities, elementary schools, libraries and museums. She also had a column in Parent's Connections. Many of her songs and games have been published in different publications.

Book Titles
Penny Paper Play Projects