Nancy Allen Jurenka is a graduate of Wilson College with a degree in psychology, she continued her education at Western Connecticut University. She received her doctorate from Indiana University. She is the author and co-author of four earlier books for Teacher Ideas Press: Responding to Literature: Activities for Grades 6, 7, and 8, Beyond the Bean Seed, Cultivating a Child's Imagination Through Gardening, and Hobbies Through Children's Books and Activities. Nancy teaches children's literature and reading education courses at Central Washington University.