Sandra Ourique Gonsalves writes in rhyme, but she only does it some of the time! She wrote her first children’s book, Illegal Beagle, while performing video game dance-offs with her family and being followed around the house by an adorable Poochon named Ace.

Growing up, Sandra drew artistic inspiration from her parents, who delighted their traditionally Portuguese community through musical rhyming arts known as “Cantoria” and “Velhas.” Vitalized by their passion for humor and quick wit, she quickly fell in love with the playfulness of children’s books and now spends most of her spare time inventing improbable rhymes as well. (If you can think of a good one for the word “purple,” be sure to let her know!)

When Sandra isn’t busy crafting the perfect picture book, she’s usually on the lookout for laughs or story inspiration in the tiniest things. She lives in Southern California with her husband and her four resident editors-in-chief, whom she fondly calls The Kids.