WHO AM I? I grew up on a farm near Hutchinson, Minnesota. I can't say I always wanted to be a writer. But I did always love books. In the winter, my mother had to force me to go outside and play. I wanted to stay inside and read. Hey, it was COLD outside. In the summer, I would play on the swings or in the haymow with my friend, Jackie Bonniwell. But most of the time, I'd lie on a blanket under the oak tree in the front yard and read.

My favorite books were the Betsy Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. (Look for them in your bookstore or library. They're available in paperback, too.) If I visit your school, you'll know it's me because I'll be wearing a button like the one at right.

I liked the Betsy Tacy books because they were about three friends—Betsy, Tacy, and Tib—and all they fun they had together.

I had two best friends in grade school. Their names were Sharon and Elaine. They're both still my friends. Sharon and I would play paper dolls and make up stories for hours. And we would put on shows where we would sing and dance for our parents. I directed the shows. Sharon says I never let her sing. That was because she couldn't sing. Elaine and I rode our bikes up and down the gravel road in front of her house. Our favorite pastime was following her older brother around and calling him names. Our second favorite thing was to hide from her younger brother.

Now I have many friends who are children's authors like me. Or I have friends who like to read books. If you want to be my friend, you'd better enjoy books.

Tell me about your favorite books and authors and why you like them. You can tell me about your friends and why you like them, too.