Carol Ann Williams has been a writer all her life. In fifth grade she started her first novel, Race Point: A Tale of Sunken Treasure in the Cold North Atlantic, which she hopes to finish some day. Finished and published works include poetry, short fiction, journalism, and drama. She was the founder and director of the theater program at the Johns Hopkins University and her plays have been produced at regional theaters around the country and in New York. Her children's books are Tsubu the Little Snail, which was an ABA Pick of the Lists and winner of a Marion Vannett Ridgway Honor Book Award for picture book writing, and the brand new Booming Bella. She lives loudly in Princeton with her loud husband, loud son, and two very quiet cats.

BOOMING BELLA

(G.P. Putnam's Sons; June, 2008; ages 4-7)

Bella loves nearly everything, and boy is she loud about it! On a school trip to the art museum she is so excited she just can’t contain herself. Disapproval from all finally dampens her spirits, and when it’s time to leave she races for the bus. But it’s the wrong one! Realizing her mistake she bellows, “Stop the bus! I’m on the wrong bus!” Her loud voice saves the day—and her happy spirit. School Library Journal says: “This charming picture book celebrates a child’s enthusiasm for her world. Bella’s irrepressible personality shines through. . . An enjoyable read-aloud choice.”