MERRILY KUTNEROriginally she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene from Columbia University when she lived in New York City. After practicing dental hygiene for a decade, she moved to California and began creating stories to entertain her children. She joined the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, took writing courses and seminars and formed a writer's critique group. She attended the Highlight's Foundation Writer's Workshop in Chautauqua, New York. An attendee of The Institute of Children's Literature Training Program, she was accepted as an instructor. She has served as an Advisory Board Member to develop the California State University Fullerton Extended Education Writing for Children Curriculum. Currently, she teaches an online course: Writing and Structuring Picture Books for Children given through the UCLA Extension Writing Program. A long time member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, she gives workshops on Writing in Rhyme and Book Diagramming at author's retreats; and she was a first reader for the Barbara Karlin Grants given through the Society. She was a"cookie mom" at a half-way house for children she has shared her love of picture books. She has also participated in Lullalee's Production's Literacy Car-ni-fair for Shriner's Hospital. Recently, she participated in the Reach Out and Read Aloud program. A member of the Children's Literature Council of Southern California, she attends numerous author festivals and school visits throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County School Districts where she reads her books. She also writes screenplays with her son Jonathan.