Hilary A. Ballentine is an accomplished lawyer who is thrilled about the release of her debut children's book, Clean Machines. Hilary's love for reading and writing began in childhood, when she would spend hours reading (and re-reading!) her favorite books - oftentimes so fast that her mother could not keep her in current reading material. To this day, she still knows many of Shel Silverstein's poems by heart.
That passion translated into a successful legal career in civil appellate law, where Hilary writes complex legal briefs for the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court.
But children's books are much more fun - and close to Hilary's heart. As a mother of three young children, Hilary knows the joy of reading (and re-reading!) a child's favorite book to him or her and witnessing the laughter, happiness, comfort, and understanding a good book can provide.
With characters inspired by her husband and children's favorite machines, Hilary hopes that Clean Machines will gently teach children to focus less on a person's differences and more on the common bonds among them. A valuable reminder for us all.
About the Illustrator:
Clean Machines is illustrated by Madeline Noelle O'Connor, who attended Savannagh College of Art and Design and College for Creative studies, with a major in illustration.
Her love of illustration shines through the creation of each whimsical character and brings them to life in this children's book.
Madeline has a passion for drawing horses - her favorite genre - as well as historical characters and celebrities. She also enjoys hunter jumper riding in her spare time.