Christina (Christie) Waldman grew up in Central Illinois, although she has lived most of her adult life in Western New York. Her writing career found a second wind after her three children reached adulthood. Her short stories for children may be read at East of the Web, Skipping Stones, and Ember. Besides Besides "The Voice of the Wooden Dragon," she is also the author of "Francis Bacon's Hidden Hand in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice': A Study of Law, Rhetoric, and Authorship" (New York, Algora Publishing). She received a B.A. in history (classics minor) from Southern Illinois University (SIU, 1982) and a J.D. SIU School of Law (1985). She has, at various times, homeschooled her three children, practiced law, and written for publishers of legal reference books. She is a member of the Authors Guild, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Selden Society, and Francis Bacon Society. "Listen to the makers of dreams, for they are the guardians of wonder." --Flavia