I have a B.A. degree in Journalism, Photojournalism Emphasis, from Arizona State University, as well as a Master's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. I am currently an elementary school teacher in Surprise, AZ, and have just started my career as a children's book author. The best part: doing what I love . . . teaching and writing.

Ooboo and friends: The Magical Rocketship, was my big debut. What began as an impromptu idea quickly transformed into my first children's book. I am proud to say that my second book in the series, Ooboo and friends: The Penguin Parade, was recently released in October 2016. I can't wait to see where the lovable characters venture to next . . . the third book in the series will be launched by Summer of 2017. So stay tuned!

I am the son of the author, Amy J. Benicki. I have a Bachelor's degree in Multimedia Design & Development from DeVry University in Phoenix, Arizona. I have always been a creative and imaginative person, so I really enjoyed taking on the challenge of designing and illustrating both books. I also designed this website!

My mom did a wonderful job writing and developing loveable characters, such as Ooboo, and his friends RoRo, Camille, Jack and Tippy, but I am the one you could say brought them all to life! I wanted to make the characters of the book cute, fun, loveable, and most importantly, unique! There are so many great characters and cartoon designs out there, that I knew it would be challenging to make a group of characters look like nothing I had seen before. Growing up, my parents would read stories to my sister and I just about every night before we went to sleep. The stories I always seemed to enjoy the most were the ones about animals, so I drew inspiration from there and soon enough, Ooboo and his friends were born!

I want the children and their parents who read our books to immediately connect and relate to the characters they see. I want them to feel as if they are a part of the adventures that Ooboo and his friends embark upon. I want them to feel the excitement that Ooboo and his friends feel, and I hope that over time, that excitement will lead to those kids developing a love for reading that will last a lifetime!