MARJORIE BLAIN PARKER was born, raised and educated in Alberta (Edmonton and Calgary). In grade 3 she wrote her first poem, The Monkey, which was published in the school newsletter AND won a ribbon (which she still has, of course). MANY years and three children later, she lives in Denver, CO and is the award winning author of numerous picture books and early readers (Psst! I Love You, Kindergarten Countdown, I Love You Near and Far, Colorful Dreamer, A Paddling of Ducks, Mama’s Little Duckling, Jasper’s Day, and others) with more on the way.