About the AuthorLike Squishy Blueberry, I am a rhyming philosopher. I also write a non-rhyming comic strip, Hollyfrost, which you should check out too! I have chosen children's picture books as the vehicle to share Squishy Blueberry's stories with the world; however, I don't consider myself a children's book writer.
Squishy Blueberry was first born when I was working in science and engineering to compensate for the lack of silliness in the typical office world. Squishy Blueberry stories unfold as a semi-autobiographical account of my own learning process - focusing on themes of finding my own dreams, quantum leaping into new words, imagination and, sometimes, just plain silliness. As I proliferate more books (and comic strips), it is my intention that my writing will encourage people to continue to use their Imaginations and Follow their Hearts even as they grow into their teen and young adult years - and never stop believing in their ability to create a meaningful and fulfilling life. D'inkling PublishingD'inkling Publishing, is my DBA publishing company for my picture books and comic strips. In addition to its goal of creating a sustainable income for me to live, it is also committed to nurturing the development of emotional intelligence, self-awareness and confidence in children and adults of all backgrounds; and aspires to engage in collaborative partnership that empower and inspire all involved.
Background/InfluencesMy greatest inspirations are Dr. Seuss books and Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends. I also have been influenced by Bill Waterson's Calvin & Hobbes comics; Jim Henson's Muppets; Sesame Street; Winnie the Pooh; the Phantom Tollbooth; Monty Python; and many more.
I grew up as the second of five children. As an adult I worked with children at social organizations such as The Home for Little Wanderers and Horizons for Homeless Children, both located in Boston, MA. I worked part-time as a substitute teacher at Montessori Center School in Santa Barbara, CA, where I loved how they modeled creative freedom balanced by structure with clear boundaries. I study emotional intelligence daily - we teach what we most need to learn! I love to learn about animals, nature, imagination adventures, science, and philosophy. I am a big fan of Jon Kabat-Zinn, a molecular biology PhD graduate from MIT who founded the mindfulness-based stress reduction clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. I also support the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) elephant sanctuary because of my deep love for baby elephants and respect for how they take care of baby orphan elephants and eventually integrate them back into the wild. I admire the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, an organization that educates the youth on the environment and empowers them to make a difference by creating opportunities for them to act on local and regional levels. Formal EducationI started out as a math major and transitioned into the sciences, studying chemistry at Reed College and chemical engineering at Columbia University. In my professional life I gravitated towards the energy & environmental field, which I felt passionate about, and later pursued an MPA from Harvard University where I concentrated on sustainable development. For over a decade I have worked at consulting and law firms in the areas of energy, natural resources and climate change. In 2015, I started taking art and writing classes at Otis College of Design and UCLA.
See www.dinklingpublishing.com for more information, or check out my LinkedIn Profile.
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