About the Author-Illustrator

The Berry Pie Mystery About the Author
	Louise Shultz I was born on a small New England farm and raised in rural New Hampshire. I came into the world before television, and almost before radio. I learned to read and listen to records for my entertainment, both of which stimulated a creative nature and a healthy imagination. Writing has been a long pastime as I have journalized for several years. As college was my goal, I took a college preparation class in high school, but instead, I married right out of school and brought three beautiful little girls into the world over the next four years. Creativity and imagination took a back seat and motherhood took over the steering wheel. As the mother of four adult children with spouses of their own, and the grandmother of five, my life is filled with creative outlets, and I have found my way back to writing. I have been responsible for several newsletters, one on a national basis. The Berry Pie Mystery was a homework assignment from my college writing class. Writing about children, and writing stories for children, is a joy in my life.
About the Teacher Editors
	Amanda Hayes 1st Grade Teacher Miss Amanda Hayes obtained her BA in Literature and Writing Studies in 1997, and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in 1998, from California State University, San Marcos. Her work with children includes ownership and operation of the Auntie Gail's House child care center, participating as a reading tutor for physically and mentally challenged students at Hope University, teaching kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade, as well as authorship of several children's stories. Miss Hayes developed her school's First Annual Writing Contest, taught summer Writing Seminars, and additionally created and implemented Young Author workshops for students in grades 4-8. Currently, Miss Hayes is working to complete her Masters in Literature and Writing Studies. Her passions for children, education, and literature continue to inspire her daily.
	Linda Helgevold 3rd Grade Teacher Growing up in a tiny town in Iowa, I have always had an intense passion for reading and writing. I graduated from Manning High School, Manning, Iowa in 1974 (one of 56 graduates!). I went on to the University of Iowa where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978. I became a counselor and coach (volleyball, cheerleading, and track) at an all-girl catholic high school called St. Mary's Academy from 1978-1986. Following my move to California, I went to the University of California, Irvine, to receive my teaching credential. I began teaching as a Title I teacher for Garden Grove Unified in 1988 and continue to this day. Presently, I am sharing a third grade classroom, and loving every minute of it! On a dare from my brother, a screenwriter, I began writing. I was accepted at the Institute of Children's Literature and completed coursework for their basic program as well as their Master's program. I have written one middle-grade novel, titled Me and Lizzie B, as well as several short stories and a few articles for children. I am happily married to my husband of 13 years, Kevin, and we have two children, Megan, who is 11, and Sam, who is 9. We reside in Irvine, CA.
About the Illustrator
	Jimmy Chau As a young boy growing up in the 80's, I had a real addiction to cartoons, mainly on Saturday mornings and after-school. I had the same routine everyday-eyes glued to the screen with a pencil and paper in my hands. I tried to duplicate my favorite characters during commercials. Before I knew it, I had developed another addiction-drawing. I am now a Studio Art major at the University of California, Irvine where I am developing a love for many other mediums of creative expression such photography and digital design. With my creations, I hope to inspire people to realize that as human beings, we all possess the ability to creatively express ourselves in one way or another. It's the people who find their way, and accept it, that identify themselves as "artists."
____________________________________________________________________________ Home Copyright © 2008 All Contents. All Rights Reserved. Playbooks, Inc. Ladera Ranch, CA Playbook, Playbook Format, Playbook Advantage Format, and Playberized are trademarks of Playbooks, Inc. The unique format of a Playbook® with character colorization and specialized readability levels is a proprietary method of book structure, writing, format, construction, re-construction, displaying and printing that is protected under Patent No. 6,683,611, 6,859,206, and 7,456,834 with additional patents pending.