Occupation: I am a stay-at-home mom and children’s book author and illustrator.

After graduating from the Parson’s School of Design in New York City, I started out working in the art department of Golf Digest in Trumbull. When my son was born, I decided to do freelance work and that morphed into book illustration, which I have done for 11 years now. I can hardly believe it’s that long.

In 2001, I wrote and illustrated the children’s book When I Was Built that was published by Henry Holt & Co. Carol Rhoda Books will be publishing my next book in 2006. I can’t really talk about that except to say it was inspired by something we found in our Newtown house. It was built in 1720.

How Long In Newtown: We’ve lived here 16 years now. We came in 1988 from Port Washington, Long Island, and for a while before coming to Newtown, we rented an old barn in Wilton, which we loved. My husband, who is from Dublin, Ireland, was painting houses at the time to put himself through graduate school. Now he’s a social work supervisor working for the State of Connecticut.

Biggest Change You Have Seen In Town: I think it’s the size of the houses they’re putting up now. They are huge. It looks like there should be a moat and a dragon. There seems to be a discrepancy these days between what people want and what people need. The increase in traffic is also remarkable. Even the side roads are feeling it. People who are commuting on the old roads through our neighborhoods need to realize we might be out with our children and animals. It’s not the amount of cars. It’s the speed they travel.

Family: My husband Stephen and I have a son, Jeremy, 11, who will be going into sixth grade at the Reed Intermediate School. Our daughter Emily, 8, will be going into the third grade at Head O’ Meadow School.

Hobbies: I love languages and am learning Spanish. It’s useful and an easy language to learn.

I also like to garden. My daughter and I have been going to Zoar Ridge Stables in Sandy Hook to ride horses. I had forgotten how much fun that is.

Pets: We have two inside calico cats who are sisters, Velma and Gerry. Our outside cat named Athena is 14 years old. Angie the Dalmatian is our dog.

Favorite TV Show, Movie, Book: I read anything I can get my hands on. Most recently, I finished The God Of Small Things by Arundhati Roy.

Organizations: I belong to the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Most Vivid Memory About Newtown: I remember in 1988 how rural and quiet it was –– and how affordable. We could never afford to move here now. Also, I have a lot of nice memories associated with walking on Holcombe Hill.

Favorite Vacation Spot: We love Shelter Island off the end of Long Island, N.Y. I’ve been going there since I was 8 years old. There’s no bridge, so you have to take a ferry over. It is still pretty quiet and undeveloped.

We also like Maine and, of course, Ireland.

Personal Philosophy: What you put out there comes back to you. I try to appreciate every moment, and to live in the moment as much as I can.