Jeanette CanyonJeanette Canyon received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Columbus College of Art & Design. Inspired by the philosophy and schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, she has enjoyed a distinguished career as an artist and arts educator of young childrn for over a decade. She now spends her time creating art for children's books, visiting schools, and sharing her creative spirit with others.The whimsical, brightly colored and richly textured illustrations Jeanette Canyon creates for her books are relief sculptures fashioned from polymer clay with an occasional use of mixed media. She explains, As a fine artist, I love to express myself with an array of colors, patterns and textures, and to make things with my hands--just as children do! The original art I create from polymer clay speaks to my love of both sculpting and painting. Unbounded imagination, a belief in unlimited possibilities and a celebration of creativity are the motivations that shape her innovative approach to the strikingly beautiful art she creates for children's books. Her artistic inspiration, coupled with great skill and talent are the ingredients to her spellbinding pictures that are loved and admired by children and adults alike.Jeannette has published three books with Dawn Publications. Her first book, the bestselling Over in the Ocean, In a Coral Reef has won several awards, including the 2006 Learning Magazine Teacher's Choice Award. Her second book, City Beats (written by S. Kelly Rammell), was selected by the New York Public Library as one of their Top 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing. The highly anticipated Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme will be published in March 2007. Read More Read Less