Sally Skunkskin

As a young girl, I loved reading and writing. My favorite book when I was a middle-schooler was Adventures of Perrine. The historical, foreign setting attracted me. Most of all, I identified with Perrine and wanted to be like her: courageous, discerning, resourceful, and self-reliant. Written in the 1800s, it is no longer in print, but it inspired the writing of the Emeline series: A Journey and Finding Strength: During the Panic of 1893.

A former teacher, my reason for writing is to provide today’s youth with quality, relatable stories. I believe all stories, for good or bad, impact readers. We’ll always value stories that illustrate moral character backed by biblical principles.

I’m currently “retired” but work part-time as an administrative assistant while enjoying painting with watercolors, and baking. My husband of 43 years and I live north of the river in Kansas City, Missouri with our dog, Taz. I was born and raised with one brother and two sisters in Trento, Italy. I always loved books, excelled in art, and wanted to be an illustrator someday. My parents did not want me to become an artist but a nurse, so that’s what I did for a while.

Eventually, I moved to London for a year to learn English and then went to California. There I worked as an au pair before becoming a student at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where I graduated with a BFA in art. My professional art career started from there.

I have enjoyed illustrating children’s books for sixteen years now and teach art part-time in a primary school. I currently make my home with my husband and two dogs in New Zealand. We have lived here for nineteen years and love it.