Biography

Andrea Torrey Balsara studied children’s writing through the Institute of Children's Literature, book illustration with Martin Springett, and story graphics through Joe Kubert’s World of Cartooning. A self-taught oil painter and watercolorist, she has used those mediums to often illustrate her own stories. Alternating between writing and art gives Andrea great satisfaction and flexibility in creating stories that resonate with young people.

In her ongoing community Virtue Classes for children, Andrea also teaches ethics using stories, music (she plays guitar and piano), activities, and community service projects. A strong advocate of giving young people the knowledge to make informed choices, she strives to inspire them to “reach for the stars.”

Devoting many years of her life to developing her talents and skills in the arts, Andrea holds an Associate of Arts and Science from the University of Maryland, Munich Campus, as well as a Post Graduate Acting Diploma from Mountview Theatre School in London, England. She also worked as a freelance American Sign Language interpreter for many years before becoming a children’s writer full-time.

Andrea lives in Bowmanville, Ontario with her husband, Nav, and their two daughters born ten years apart, as well as their motley retinue of unruly pets. One of Andrea’s latest projects with her family is the development of wildlife habitat on a 99-acre parcel of land they recently purchased in Ontario, Canada. In the cottage nestled in their forest, she and her family devise plans for enticing bats, frogs, deer, and songbirds to their patch of paradise.

Andrea’s philosophy can be summed up in one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s many inspirational quotes. He said, “Not everyone can be famous, but everyone can be great, because greatness is determined by service.”

We can all “reach for the stars!”