At bed time, Andrea and her Mom cuddled up to read Edward Gorey books, MAD magazines, Asterix and The Hobbit. These delights certainly helped form the humor and style that Andrea brings to her life%u2019s work. Although she studied at the best of art schools %u2013 RISD, Cooper Union and The Whitney Program, Andrea%u2019s illustration vision was cultivated during those early childhood years with the works of Tintin, Winsor McCay and Carl Barks. After her NYC stint, Andrea headed back west to Portland, Oregon, to write and illustrate her first children%u2019s book, Pug Dog . She was thrilled to have it published by the fine house, Farrar Strauss and Giroux who has continued as her publisher. Although happy to lend her style for adult illustration assignments, Andrea%u2019s happiest times are creating books for kids. She remains forever appreciative of her Mom for introducing her to this fun and imaginative world.