About the Authors
Mary deGroat Ross
M.S. Early Childhood Education
I was born and raised in an upstate New York college community, Brockport, NY. I grew up in a family of six children with parents that were educators. It was an idyllic childhood where days weren't spent in front of computer games and gadgets but rather immersed in a good book, filling my life with magic and wonder. I knew that one day I wanted to create that for other children.
All of my stories come from deep within myself, and they represent the many sides of my personality. They come from the little girl who read voraciously to add color to her life. They come from the parent of three children and grandma of two grandchildren who has read so many stories that she has memorized many of them. They come from the critic in me that finds much of the literature out there written for children is somewhat condescending or difficult to read out loud. They come from my heart, my soul and mostly from the silly part of me that enjoys the wonderful childlike ability to live in fantasy. I am still waiting for Mary Poppins to float down my chimney, to play in the tree house I would build with Pippi Longstocking, and the mischief I would think up with Ramona Quimby. Oh, the places my stories took me, the feelings they conjured up, the pure ability to engage me in their fantasy. I thank all the good authors out there who helped define me through the stories they shared. It is my life long dream to be able to do that for a child out there. Maybe, just maybe, Peter Pan will land on my windowsill some night and tell me that I too did not have to grow up. Until then, I will live among the pages of a good yarn.
Learn about the artist behind the illustrations in my books, Margaret Beyea Ross
Ginny Harrell
Communication & Graphic Design Degrees
I was born and raised in Florida. My father, a former educator & author, shared his love of books and illustrations with me. I always leaned toward the creative, even as a young child, and my parents were very supportive of that. During college, I spent a semester in Burbank, California interning at Buena Vista Studios where I continued my education with storytelling and writing. My desire to create children books, however, really grew when I became a mother.
My stories come from the interactions of my sister, my mother, my husband & my son. These interactions are memories from the past, present and things I plan to continue in the future. I dedicate these stories to my sweet boy and am enjoying his wonderment of words and songs. It is because of him that I am revisiting childhood songs and stories. I am looking forward to sharing these books with him. I share these books with you in hopes that you are able to share them with the children in your lives.
