Mike Thaler

I was born in Los Angeles and started my professional career drawing cartoons for adults. A children's book editor saw one of my cartoon stories in a national magazine and encouraged me to try writing for children. My first attempt met with success, and "The Magic Boy" was published in 1961. Since then Ive written and published nearly 200 books.

Since devoting my life to Christ 11 years ago, my life has gone from black and white to glorious Technicolor. In my latest series, Tales from the Back Pew I dovetail my love for God with humor, prompting kids to see church activities from a new perspective. Packed with love, laughs, and life lessons, I hope that Tales from the Back Pew stories will have children and parents giggling on every page. Fans of my Black Lagoon series will recognize Jared Lees gorgeous illustrations. The first four books will be available in February 2009: The Preacher Creature Strikes on Sunday; Mission Trip Impossible; Easter Egg Haunt; and Church Summer Cramp.

What else have I written? My best-known stories to date are from my Black Lagoon books. At the beginning of each school year, elementary teachers read about Mrs. Green from The Teacher from the Black Lagoon, and the rest of the Lagoon faculty. Shortly after becoming a Christian, God helped me write the Heaven and Mirth series of humorous retellings of Bible stories, such as Moses Take Two Tablets and Call Me in the Morning, and David and Bubblebathsheba. Those of you who watched childrens public television in the 70s might remember The Letterman. I created this character for PBS Electric Company series.

I have traveled all over the world and lived in New York City for a good part of my life. Today I live near Portland, Oregon on a Christmas tree farm with my son and daughter in law, Matthew and Tina Lee, and my five grandchildren. My beautiful wife Laurel Lee, passed away on August 10th, 2004.

If you are interested, you can find out more about my books on my website. All of my books are available from Don Callen at donaldcallen@comcast.net. Zondervan Publishing will also sell my new series.