Cardwell, Rob: - I grew up in Sharpsville, a small western Pa. steel town. I attended the Univ. of Pittsburgh earning a bachelor of science degree in biology then continued on to Temple Dental School. After graduation I went into the Public Health Service for two years, helping set up a dental clinic in Elizabeth, W.VA., a beautiful little town that reminded me of Mayberry. Lastly, I took over Dr. Nelson Robbins' dental practice in Ocean City, NJ where I practiced for 36 years. I have been writing and illustrating picture books for the past 30 years. My favorite authors are Chris Van Allsberg and Maurice Sendak. Their stories are both creative and original, something I believe I have been able to accomplish also, as opposed to telling the same stories over and over. Having read a number of picture books to my own children I also keep in mind the parent or guardian who is reading the book with their child and one of my hopes is that the text and illustrations are as engaging for the adult as they are for the child.