Hi!My name is Barbara Odanaka. I am a children's book author, skateboarder, and founder of Skateboard Moms and Sisters of Shred, a nonprofit organization empowering females through skateboarding.Before I wrote for children, I was a newspaper reporter at the Los Angeles Times. I decided to switch careers when I found I had a difficulty writing newspaper articles without rhyming! In 1994, I backpacked around the world on $30 a day. I scuba dived with sharks in Fiji, trekked through the Himalayas, and sat with mountain gorillas in central Africa. Today, I channel my energies into fun and lively books for children who like a lot of imagination in their reading. My latest book, A Crazy Day At The Critter Cafe, features a skateboarding cow. I have been having lots of fun visiting schools, libraries and skateboard parks dressed as Skateboard Cow! You can find out more about my books and me by visiting my website, www.skateboardmom.com Thanks and happy reading!