​​​The author's earliest memories were first falling in love with words.  Her children's books were some of her first best friends.  She remembers being so proud that she could sign her name at 4 1/2. The only requirement to have her very own borrowers card at the Free Library of Philadelphia. But then the  fear of possible rejection when she ran out of room signing her last name.  The first understanding of the power derived from accessing the high flying freedom of independent thought​