BIO

 

Random facts about me:

Although my writing name is Patricia, everyone calls me by my nickname, Pat.

I have always loved writing, and I published my first poem in the school's magazine when I was in third grade. Here's the poem:

I know a little butterfly
who can fly and fly all day
but when I say please fly to me,
she just flutters away.

I've published two children's books, Elephant of Sadness, Butterfly of Joy (Susan Shadt Press, 2023) and The Cat Who Loved Mozart (Holiday House, 2001).

I've taught for forever, both in elementary schools and university, which is the subject of my adult book Tales from a Teaching life: Vignettes in Verse (UNO Press, 2023). 

As a longtime prof of children's literature, I read 1000 kids' books a year. I"m particularly partial to poetry and picture books. My favorite adult genre is nonfiction.

I love cats, and over my lifetime, fourteen felines have shared my home and graced my life. 

 When I lost my home to the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, I created a garden where the house used to be and, as a vegetarian, I enjoy the bounty of satsumas, sweet potatoes, corn, and beans --- as well as the beauty of the flowers.