W is for Windy City: A Chicago City Alphabet

Lake Shore Drive, the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier...just the mention of these iconic sights conjures up a skyline known the world over as the Windy City. Welcome to Chicago! And there's no better guidebook to the city than W is for Windy City: A Chicago Alphabet. Following the alphabet, the city's character and familiar landmarks are fully captured in poem and expository text. A is for Art Institute or Adler Planetarium. And if we want a "triple A," we'll add the Shedd Aquarium. Young readers can marvel at the treasures on display at the renowned Art Institute, go window shopping along Michigan Avenue's mile-long Magnificent Mile, or take in an afternoon game at Wrigley Field with the Chicago Cubs. W is for Windy City brings this famous city to life.A faculty member in the Department of Education at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, Dr. Steven L. Layne is a respected literacy consultant and keynote speaker, working with educators and children at schools and conferences throughout the world. With more than 20 years as an educator, Deborah Dover Layne has worked at elementary and middle school levels and has been a reading specialist. Currently, she is an elementary principal in Elgin. The Laynes live in St. Charles, Illinois. Rhode Island School of Design graduate Michael Hays teaches illustration and drawing at Columbia College and lives in Oak Park, Illinois. Judy MacDonald and Michael started Painted Pony Studio in Chicago several years ago, each of them bringing their own unique style to the drawing table while illustrating books and creating art for children.

Steven L. Layne is a faculty member in the Department of Education at Judson College in Elgin, Illinois, where he teaches courses in children's and adolescent literature and reading pedagogy. He also serves as a literacy consultant, motivational speaker and featured children's author, both in and outside the United States. Steve's work has been recognized with national awards for outstanding work and contributions in the fields of both educational research and teaching. In addition, he is the author of a wide variety of award-winning picture books, young adult novels and gift books. He lives with his wife, Deborah; children, Grayson, Victoria and Jackson; and dog, Snickers, in St. Charles, Illinois.

Over the course of 20 years in the field of education Deborah Dove Layne has worked at both the elementary and middle school levels and has been a reading specialist. She has also served as a professor of reading at the graduate and undergraduate levels and supervised preservice teachers in addition to her role as wife and mother of four.

Judy MacDonald has illustrated for Cricket Magazine Group's, "Click!" and "Muse," publishers Scholastic, Harcourt, Reader's Digest, Weekly Reader and Frog Street Press, and retailer IKEA. Judy and Michael work together at Painted Pony Studios in Chicago, illustrating books and creating art for kids on "that toddlin' town's" far north side.

Rhode Island School of Design graduate Michael Hays teaches children's book illustration at Columbia College Chicago. He began his long career of illustrating picture books with Pete Seeger's storysong, Abiyoyo. Michael has illustrated 20 picture books and many YA covers including Junebug by Alice Mead.