Armando and Amanda
About the Author

Patricia Fine

Patricia Fine received her B.A. from Mt. Mary's College and an M.A. from California State University, Los Angeles. She has taught high school, college (both undergraduate and graduate levels), adult education, and tutored privately. She and her husband, John, are both retired teachers, and have three grown children and four grandchildren. As a published author of short stories, Pat has a talent for bringing human qualities to the interesting and delightful animal characters she creates in her stories. She is also a Jeopardy game show winner. Her hobbies include flamenco dancing, playing the piano, reading, collecting books, and knitting.

Len Gatdula

Len Gatdula has been an artist since he was old enough to hold a pencil. He has always loved drawing and creating characters and places that could only exist in his imagination. Never formally trained, his only education in art came from his inspirations---films, animation, books, comics, and the work of popular fine and commercial artists. He realized that he was destined to do something with his talent when, as a fifth grader, his cartoons and biography were featured in a statewide Arizona newspaper, followed by an interview for a local television newscast. What began then as an introverted child's hobby turned into a professional pursuit nearly a decade ago when Len landed a job as a staff artist for a major video game publisher in Southern California. Since that time, his art has been featured in several mediums---interactive games for the home and arcade entertainment venues, print work, the web, and most recently, here---as a proud PLAYBOOKS illustrator!

Len is hopeful that his work will appeal to young readers, parents, and teachers everywhere that benefit from using the unique PLAYBOOKS format of learn-to-read materials in their homes and schools. As an avid reader himself, he welcomes the opportunity to accent PLAYBOOKS stories with fun, colorful art that is just one hallmark of this innovative and "edu-taining" product!

Len lives in Southern California with his fiancée Maryanne and their three children, Drew, Alyssa, and Ethan, where he continues to create art for all ages.