About the Author

LeoNora M. Cohen is an emeritus professor of education at Oregon State University. Her specialties are gifted/creative/talented kids; coping; and children's interests. Her field, gifted education, shapes how she looks at all children: each is a precious gift with potential to be developed. As an undergraduate, Nora had been a Latin American Studies major, conducting research in Cali Colombia that helped her Spanish fluency and led her to become a teacher and educator. But what she really loves is writing children's books! Maybe it is because she now has two adorable little grand children. She loves to read to them and enter their magical worlds, making waffles, cracking eggs, mixing, and watching the steam escape as the batter sizzles; feeding meatball "flies" to her little spider who has webbed together the living room furniture; playing in the sand pile; building block towers to knock over with glee. In retirement, Nora spends winters in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, an enchanting UNESCO World Heritage town she first visited in 1971, taking painting and silver making classes. That's when she met her husband of 43 years. In San Miguel, Nora volunteers with several non-profit organizations that help children and the greater community, such as Mujeres en Cambio. To benefit these organizations, she writes bilingual children's books in English and Spanish, using her knowledge of children and her imagination to create books that help kids learn another language as well as bring to light issues children face. Many of her books help children develop their talents and aspirations, as well as cope with difficulties they face. And some books are full of whimsy and just for fun! Nora is currently finishing her 25th book. Building capacity in young people, Nora invites high school and young college students to illustrate her stories, paying them well for their efforts. She loves mentoring them to grow into professional-level illustrators, working with them to picture the tale and create wonderful images of the characters and actions that help children understand the story's meaning in both languages. All profits from sale of her books are donated to non-profit organizations in and around San Miguel. Thus far, she has written stories to benefit a dozen different NGOs, such as Mujeres en Cambio. Feed the Hungry, Jovenes Adelante, the Lions' Club, Casita Linda, and Centro Infantil San Pablo. Each book takes its theme from the organization it supports.