Phyllis M. Sole Monaco was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., a first generation American from immigrant parents. Phyllis always had fun with her sisters and cousins at the beaches in the summer. Growing up in the 1960's-70's, she played stickball and stoopball games outside on the streets of Brooklyn and was a big sports player. Although she was active, she also loved art and taught herself to sketch and paint. In elementary school, she found her love for watercolor and oil paintings. Phyllis moved to New Jersey in 1978, and has been a Jersey girl ever since. While raising her children, Phyllis received her BA in psychology and AAS in early childhood and science. Her inspiration for her stories stem from the world around her. As a mom, local artist and substitute teacher, Phyllis Monaco uses her experiences to write and illustrate children's books.