Leslie Kimmelman

The very first word I learned to read was A-L-L. It was particularly appropriate because from the joyful moment I got my first library card, my goal was to read every single book in the children’s section. Books were magical to me. I still feel that way.

After graduation, I moved to New York City and began my publishing career. I spent many happy years as a children's book editor at various publishing houses. It took me a while to get used to reading on the job -- I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing! The more I read on the job, the more I realized I wanted to write my own books.

After a few false starts, my first book, Frannie’s Fruits, was published in 1989.

Eventually, I discovered how to get to Sesame Street. I worked at Sesame Workshop for the next 24 years, first as Senior Editor of Sesame Street Magazine and then as an editor in the publishing department and a writer of special projects. I now write full-time. I live in a small town outside New York City, where my husband and I have brought up two children and two dogs. I still read everything I can get my hands on--and write stories and poems that, I hope, introduce children to the magic of books. [adapted from the website]