About the author
Merrijo's love of books began as a young girl getting her very first library card, and thinking the books she checked out from the bookmobile were now her own books. Her art career began in early elementary school when praised by her teacher for her artistic talent. By the time she reached high school, Merrijo had developed her own unique style. Not being appreciated by her HS art teacher, who called her images "ticky tacky", did not deter Merrijo as she continued to explore many different ways to express herself through her art.
After many different career paths, including teaching first grade, 15 years as a single parent raising a rambunctious son, and severe health challenges, Merrijo returned to her love of art and of working with paper.
Initially creating greeting cards, which were highly praised by those receiving them, she progressed to creating large scale images. Finally, seeing an image she had previously created of a bug sitting on the back of an Adirondack chair, the she realized she had already, in her mind, done something she had wanted to do since she was a young girl - writing and illustrating a book. So she set out to put it on paper.
Merrijo strongly believes that we have within ourselves all the tools we need to achieve whatever we set out to do, we just have to NOT let the many obstacles which arise keep us from moving forward.