What fun to see something you created appear in print, illustrated by someone you’ve never met! I don’t think anything beats that feeling.

                            This was the first story 

                I ever sent out. It was a blend of a 

        childhood fantasy of mine to have a wild bird 

       or squirrel who would ride on my shoulder

        and an old wives’ tale I heard about what 

                  would happen if a bird got some 

                          of your hair for its nest!

My oldest daughter was born on April Fool’s, so

 it’s always been fun to tie that into her birthday. 

I knew Highlights likes crafts, so when I heard about “dirt cups,” I thought that might go well with a child whose birthday is overshadowed by a holiday centered on silly pranking.