Bruce Heckman

Bruce Heckman was born in Brooklyn in 1942. He has been writing stories, poems, and lyrics since age nine. He has had material published in the New Mexico Quarterly and Westchester Magazine and produced two CD's. His five grandchildren were the inspiration for Parthenope. Researching the recipe for Pastiera, a sweet ricotta Easter pie, brought the myth of the Siren turned mermaid and lovely serenader to light. Parthenope's story has never been told in a children's book and I had fun hearing my children and grandchildren reacting to different drafts of the book. I found Randy Gallegos, an award-winning illustrator, who created gorgeous, amplifying illustrations.