I write both fiction and nonfiction picture books, usually while my faithful companion, Becca, snores at my feet. I love nature and animals, especially dogs!Most of my nonfiction picture books are about creatures in the natural world. I'm also fascinated by the subject of urban ecology, and the different ways in which wild animals have adapted to life and co-existence with humans.Most of my fiction picture books contain dogs as main characters, and some cats too! I am most intrigued by the human-animal bond, so this is a topic that I like to explore in my fiction.I am represented by the amazing Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary Agency.My first picture book, Penny & Jelly: The School Show, illustrated by talented Thyra Heder, was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in July 2015. A second Penny & Jelly picture book was released in June 2016.In addition, four picture books are forthcoming from Roaring Brook Press: Coyote Moon (July 2016) and A Home for Bobcat (TBA), both illustrated by the incomparable Bagram Ibatoulline; Hello Goodbye Dog, a fiction picture book will illustrated by another highly accomplished illustrator, Patrice Barton (Spring 2017) and Hawks Rising, illustrated by the incredible Brian Floca, 2014 winner of the Caldecott Award (Summer 2018).Aladdin Books for Young Readers will publish Officer Katz and Houndini:A Tale of Two Tails, with humorous illustrations by Danny Chatzikonstantinou (October 2016).My nonfiction picture book, Terrific Tongues, a winner of PEN New England's Susan Bloom Discovery Award, will be published by Boyds Mills Press (spring 2018). An illustrator will soon be announced.In addition, a nonfiction book called Whooo-Ku: A Great Horned Owl Haiku Story is forthcoming from Putnam.To learn more, please visit my website: mariagianferrari.comYou can also visit Penny & Jelly's website: pennyandjelly.comOr on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Gianferrari/800629079959897?pnref=about.overview@pennyandjelly on Instagram