I grew up in a family of artists and entrepreneurs in the beach towns of California. I have always loved writing, art, and foreign cultures. By the age of fourteen I turned my attention to the East, delving into yoga and eastern philosophy. My fascination with the art and culture of other peoples has taken me around the world. My most memorable experiences are living in remote villages in India, spending time with indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest, and visiting with the Maori people in New Zealand. In my travels I find many deep, powerful stories that have been handed down throughout the ages. When I find a story I especially connect with, I contemplate how to retell it for contemporary children in a way that is both entertaining and enlightening.