“Many authors have written books about hibernation. But I wanted children to know that many animals stay active all winter long—even under the snow. I’d done lots of research and I’d been trying to write the manuscript for a long time. But it just wasn’t coming together for me.

“On a frigid winter night in 2004, I dragged myself out of the house to hear author-illustrator Timothy Basil Ering speak at an event sponsored by the Foundation for Children’s Books. Tim was so engaging, so charismatic, his energy was so contagious that I was inspired to take another stab at my manuscript as soon as I got home. I finished the new draft around 1:00 a.m.,  took it to my critique group meeting the next night, made some changes based on their suggestions, and mailed it to my editor the next day. Six months later, she called to say the book had been accepted for publication. Thank you, Tim!”