About the Author

Susan Sachs Levine grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and started her career in marketing with Procter & Gamble. She then moved to Columbus where she became VP of Marketing and Environmental Affairs with SIG, an international packaging company. A wildlife enthusiast, Susan has traveled extensively to learn about the natural world, especially endangered species.

After the birth of her two children, Susan focused her energy on serving as enrichment specialist at her children’s schools. It was in this role that she identified the need for picture books about major Ohio cities. Her first book, Packard Takes Flight: A Bird’s-Eye View of Columbus, Ohio, has become a standard in fourth grade classrooms when they study Ohio history. Harriett’s Homecoming: A High-Flying Tour of Cincinnati, Ohio, highlights all that is special about the Queen City. Both books are based on the true story of Peregrine Falcons that nest on the tall buildings downtown.

Susan now lives in Naples, Florida, where she is enchanted by the wildlife, particularly the birds. She is a Florida Master Naturalist and excited to share all that she has learned with children through her recent new works. Jenny’s First Catch: An Adventure with Nature’s Wading Birds was published in 2020 and follows a young Roseate Spoonbill as she tries to learn how to fish with her unique bill. Now in Gilbert’s Migration Vacation: The Story of an Original Snowbird, children learn about Sanderlings, as well as other shorebirds, and the amazing migrations they make between their breeding and wintering grounds.

In all her books, Susan blends her interest in wildlife with her imaginative storytelling to entertain and teach young children, while being a great resource for teachers and parents. 

About the Illustrator for
GILBERT’s MIGRATION VACATION and jenny’s first catch

Irene Bofill grew up in Valencia, Spain. She graduated with a degree in fine arts and studied for a master’s in design and illustration at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. During this time, she spent one year at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Bolonia on an Erasmus internship, where she decided to completely dedicate herself to illustration. Since then, she has worked as a freelance illustrator for several clients and institutions, mainly dedicating her time to illustrating children’s books and character design. Passionate about color and its combinations, her work focuses on both intimate and current topics as she seeks to produce any effect or emotion on the observer. Women, animals, plants, and visual poetry are some of her sources of inspiration.

About the Illustrator for
packard takes flight and harriett’s homecoming

Erin Burchwell grew up traveling through much of Eastern Europe as a child. She developed a deep love of color, texture, and the arts which is evident in her illustrations. She graduated with a B.S. degree in Speech Education with an art minor in 2001. After teaching drama and art for 7 years she had her daughter, Gracie Jane, and decided to stay at home and pursue her long awaited dreams of publishing. In October 2010, she illustrated her first book, Packard Takes Flight. Her next project was an online, interactive book entitled Bella B and the Seventeen Nights. Most recently, Erin finished Harriett’s Homecoming. Her continued passion for the arts is evident in her various hobbies which include designing theatre and opera sets, working with other illustrators through COSCBWI, creating jewelry for local shops, designing flowers for weddings and corporate events, and volunteering for several local arts-related fundraising committees. Erin and her family reside in Galena, Ohio.