Staszko, Karen: - Patricia Gleichauf has been writing since she was just eight years old, and seeing her books in print has truly been a dream come true. Her literary inspiration has always been Jo March, the beloved character from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott-a book she read over and over as a child.A lifelong advocate for children's literacy, Patricia never misses a chance to share her books with students in schools and libraries. She believes that if she can inspire even one child to become a reader, her day has been a success.Patricia is the author of the award-winning Under the Sea series, a six-book collection that introduces young readers to endangered marine animals through engaging rhymes, fascinating facts, and beautiful watercolor illustrations. Each book meets STEM criteria and is used in literacy programs to help children read at grade level. Her work has earned multiple national and international awards for both educational value and artistic merit.Patricia lives in Upstate New York with her husband of 46 years. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending quality time with her grandchildren.