Susan Spangler

Susan Spangler, author and illustrator of the graphic journal, "The Year of the Bird," is an award-winning graphic designer, illustrator, poet and painter. In a sense, "The Year of the Bird" is every family's story--funny and sad, surprising and predictable, painful and profound. Reading it is something like sitting down on the couch and confiding with a friend. It doesn't solve the world's problems. But it helps get you through the night.

Susan began writing "The Year of the Bird" at a time when her family's life was in turmoil. Notwithstanding illness, displacement, death, conflict and sorrow, supper still had to be made, bills paid, dishes washed, children tucked into bed. Comfort, grief, alienation, affection--all vying for attention on an hourly basis.

The writing became a lifeline for her, and sharing the stories with family and friends, a powerful, healing bond. Later, creating the illustrations layered the memories with new perspective.

In addition to "The Year of the Bird," Susan has illustrated two other books: "Old Age and Three Virtual Remissions," by Raymond Day Watts, and "Gittel and the Bell," by Roberta Goldshlag Cooks. Many examples of her art are available at www.susanspangler.com.