Debra Ghigna

Debra Ghigna grew up in Tennessee and Alabama. When she wasn't engrossed in reading a book, Debra spent her days tap dancing and dreaming of becoming a Rockette on Broadway. Her childhood heroes were Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, and Gregory Hines.

Her feet just wouldn't keep still. When Debra couldn't tap her toes, she drummed her hands -- sometimes on school desks. This didn't go over very well in the classroom. One day an observant teacher showed her how to use her natural rhythmical sense in a new and different way -- with pen, paper, and words. Words that rhymed -- in perfect time! And so began a lifelong love affair with the joy and rhythm of language.

Now she taps on a computer each day, dancing across the keyboard and writing. Once in a while she's lucky enough to be able to share her work with others. She always encourages young writers to listen to their own internal metronome.

Debra's work appears frequently in many children's magazines including Ladybug, Jack and Jill, Turtle, Lollipops, and Spider. Her poem "My Box" was featured on the bestselling Noodlebug DVD "Let's Pretend."

CHRISTMAS IS COMING from Charlesbridge Publishing was her first picture book for children. Debra's newest book, BARN STORM, was published by Random House.

Recently, Debra partnered with elo™ Pillow, writing a series of children's stories called "Tales of a Pigtail Princess." The elo is a behavioral bedtime tool that plays stories and ambient sounds when children rest their head on it, promoting healthy sleeping habits and more enjoyable bedtimes.

Debra graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a degree in history. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, art, and genealogy.

Debra lives in Homewood, Alabama, with her husband, author Charles Ghigna.

For more information, please visit site at: www.debraghigna.blogspot.com

Book Bibliography:

Barn Storm (Random House)

Christmas Is Coming (Charlesbridge Publishing)