William Robert HaseltineWilliam Robert Haseltine or 'Tootie' as he was affectionately known as a child grew up in North Haven, Connecticut. Born in 1956 and the youngest of five children, he also considered Danville, Vermont his second home. His father purchased the origina Vermont property before he was born. Both parents, Calvin and Lois, became teachers and with summers off, brought all the children up North every year. His father got his Master's Degree in Biology and his mother, got her Master's Degree in English, and they absolutely loved to read and teach. From a very young age, Tootlebird (another nickname) and all his siblings had their favorite children's books Mom read almost every night. Bill, as he was otherwise known, had several favorites: 'The Quiet Book' (The very first he read himself) by Helen M. Flynn - Illustrated by Alcy Kendrick 1958, 'Deegie and the Fairy Princess' by Ruth W. Rempel - Illustrated by Dietrich G. Rempel 1949, 'The Big Golden Book of Elves and Fairies' by Jane Werner - Illustrated by Garth Williams 1951, 'The Little Engine That Could' by Watty Piper 1945, 'Little Toot' by Hardie Gramatky 1939, 'The Five Chinese Brothers' by Claire Hutchet Bishop - Illustrated by Kurt Wiese 1938, 'Little Black Sambo' by Helen Bannerman 1899, 'The Teeny-Tiny Woman' by Margot Zemach 1965; 'McElligot's Pool' by Theodor Geisel aka Dr. Seuss 1947, and of course, all the 'Winnie-The-Pooh' series by A. A. Milne - Illustrated by E. H. Shephard 1924-1927, and 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' and 'The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin' by Beatrix Potter 1901 & 1903. As a young boy, Dad had a huge influence on his adventuresome spirit and imagination suggesting he read three books by Ernest Thomson Seton: 'Wild Animals I Have Known' 1898, 'Rolf In The Woods' 1911, and 'Two Little Savages' 1903. After graduating high school, Bill plunged into the working world. He eventually got accepted into Southern Connecticut State University and aced several courses but could not afford to continue. Dedicating himself in numerous capacities at an upscale Independent Retirement facility in Hamden, Connecticut for 37 years, he also pursued his passion for martial arts. He currently holds the rank of 2rd Degree Black Belt in predominantly Japanese Shotokan Karate, with some experience in the Chinese arts of Shaolin Chin Na, Yiquan Neigong, Qigong, and Taiji Ball forms. Bill loved drawing and sculpting at a very young age, but after High School spent more time playing chess and music with harmonica, guitar, and a smattering of piano. He learned to love to write. Having written several songs, essays on martial arts and about life, this is his first children's book. It definitely will not be his last! Read More Read Less
