Heidi Petach (PEA-tack) has enjoyed a number of unusual careers on her way to becoming a best-selling illustrator and author.

With a Master's Degree with Highest Distinction from Indiana University School of Music, Heidi initially launched a career as a concert pianist and composer. She played concerts around the world, was featured on TV and radio, made recordings, and was commissioned to compose solo piano, piano/organ, and orchestral works.

Frog from Pink Snow and Other Weird Weather. All rights reserved.

"Writing children's books and composing music are similar," Petach explains. "In both, it's important to balance phrasing, achieve clarity, create color, and connect emotionally with your audience."

After concert in Adelaide, Australia- long ago and far away.

Following her music career, Petach worked in Promotions and Special Events at the Cincinnati Zoo. Her continuing love of animals is evident in all her books. Creating the artwork for the Zoo's brochures and flyers inspired her to enroll full-time at the Cincinnati Academy of Design.

Cover of Wee Three Pigs, written and illustrated by Heidi Petach. ©2002 Heidi Petach

A tip from a neighbor connected Heidi with Standard Publishing and her first children's picture book: The Lost Sheep. Contracts with major publishers such as Grosset & Dunlap, Penguin Putnam Group, Random House, and Scholastic soon followed. Petach was chosen to be the Artist-in-Residence for the State Library of Ohio in 1999. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Petach's books have received glowing reviews and have been nominated for awards. One- The Night Before Valentine's Day by Natasha Wing- appeared on the New York Times Children's Books Best-Sellers list for five weeks running.

Cover of The Night Before Valentine's Day by Natasha Wing. Illustrations ©2000 by Heidi Petach

Equally adept in the fiber arts, Petach's crochet art has won numerous awards and honors. Her most recent design collection is Bath Buddies. She also launched a line of knitting, crochet, and needlepoint stitch markers that can be worn as jewelry.

Fun crocheted sea creature bath puppets from Bath Buddies by Heidi Petach.

Her favorite thing to do, though, is school author visits. "It brings out the performer in me!" she laughs. "I love connecting with kids. I think I never really grew up!"

After a school assembly at Weigel Elementary School.

All told, Heidi Petach has authored eight books and illustrated more than sixty. Heidi lives in Cincinnati, OH with her husband Jay and black cat Jackie. She recently returned full-circle to music by accepting a full-time position in the Keyboard Department at Mannerino's Sheet Music.

The Staff at Mannerino's Sheet Music, 7605 Hamilton Avenue in Cincinnati.