Leopold's Long Awaited Leap Year Birthday     

Dawn Desjardins, Author

Dawn Desjardins is pleased to have spawned little Leopold in this, her second picture book for children. When a teacher asked for a "Much needed Leap Year story," Dawn's memories of holding little frogs in her cupped hands, and marveling at lily pads on family camping trips in Upstate New York, took her imagination to where she needed to be...Lily Pad Pond. Dawn wishes her readers "Sunshine and party hats as far as the eye can see....and a lifetime of happy birthdays!"                                                                                

 

                              

C.E. Locander, Illustrator

     Illustrator C.E. Locander is best known for his use of vivid color and playful characterizations in the creative world of illustrating. While he has illustrated several non-fiction books for young adults, "Leopold" marks his first foray into the field of children's fiction.  Locander, a graduate Journalism major from the University of Illinois-Urbana, has had careers in marketing, journalism, sales, press, and public relations.  He and his wife, Mary, reside in a northern suburb of Chicago with their wonder dog, "Hobo".