Susan A. Katz is a poet, author, teacher, and workshop facilitator. She is the author of six books of poetry, two textbooks espousing the integration of the arts into school curriculum, numerous articles exploring the benefits of integrated teaching, and has had her poetry appear in national and international magazines, journals, and anthologies. Her venture into the realm of children's stories was inspired by her seven grandchildren. She wrote Little Bear and You for her granddaughter who was feeling "under loved". Little Bear took on a life of his own and Susan continues to write her stories, even though her grandchildren are now grown. "Our characters become a part of us," Susan says, "and it is hard to let them go."