Hello! My name is Patricia Mercado, and I am an author-illustrator.

I was born in Baja California, Mexico, and at the age of 11, moved to San Diego, California. 

I attended UCSD as a music major but soon changed my major to Fine Arts. 

I received an MFA from Pratt Institute, and for many years, painted large, expressionistic images on canvas. Then, I became an elementary school teacher.

I taught first grade for 20 years and loved it! 

Now, I love to write and illustrate stories for children.