I am the oldest of five well-loved children, raised in a tiny Illinois town by our piano teacher mom, who taught us to love music, and our poetry-reciting dad, who taught us to love words.  

One of the best things about my childhood was not having to do it alone. From day one, I had my twin sister, Robin, at my side — the ideal accessory for a shy kid.  

Together, we smiled at the good and frowned at the bad, studied ants, made doll clothes out of Kleenex, and invented elaborate make-believe scenarios in which we played the starring roles. 

Today, when I write a poem for kids, I try to go back to those days in my mind. I especially remember the things that made me laugh and how, every day, the world felt new.