Papa Seiden

Michael “Papa” Seiden grew up in the Bronx. He attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City and then spent many years working as a band director, music teacher, and professional trombonist.

His passion for writing in rhyme began in ninth grade. Papa credits his ninth-grade English teacher, Mrs. Barnes, with helping him transform from a “gangly, insecure adolescent, to a gangly, more secure, young adult”. One of the first homework assignments in Mrs. Regina Barnes’ English class was to not only name all of the Greek Gods but to write a few words about each of them. Papa wrote a clever rhyme for each and every God and Goddess, yet vividly recalls writing the following for Poseidon:

The Grecian Poseidon swims better than me,

I’m a mere Seiden, He’s God of the Sea!

Two children, 42 years of marriage, four more children, and seven grandchildren later, Papa has finally found his niche as an author! Still a Bronx boy at heart, Papa has a wild imagination and a zest for writing slapstick humor. His stories are bursting with brilliant imagery, charm, and whimsy. He develops quirky fun characters to teach us many valuable lessons about acceptance, perseverance, and integrity.