Heidi Petach (PEA-tack) has enjoyed a number of unusual careers on her way to becoming a best-selling illustrator and author.

With a Master's Degree with Highest Distinction from Indiana University School of Music, Heidi initially launched a career as a concert pianist and composer. She played concerts around the world, was featured on TV and radio, made recordings, and was commissioned to compose solo piano, piano/organ, and orchestral works.

"Writing children's books and composing music are similar," Petach explains. "In both, it's important to balance phrasing and achieve clarity, explore imaginative forms, and connect emotionally with your audience."

After concert in Adelaide, Australia- long ago and far away.

Following her music career, Petach worked in Promotions and Public Relations at the Cincinnati Zoo. Her continuing love of people and animals is evident in all her books. Creating the artwork for the Zoo's brochures and flyers inspired her to then attend Central Academy of Commercial Art, where she won numerous awards and was graduated with a certificate in graphic design.

Cover of Wee Three Pigs, written and illustrated by Heidi Petach. ©2002 Heidi Petach

A tip from a neighbor connected Heidi with Standard Publishing and her first children's picture book: The Lost Sheep. Contracts with major publishers, such as Grosset & Dunlap, Putnam, Scholastic, and Random House soon followed. Petach was chosen to be the Artist-in-Residence for the State Library of Ohio in 1999.

Petach's books have received glowing reviews and have been nominated for awards. One- The Night Before Valentine's Day by Natasha Wing- appeared on the New York Times Children's Books Best-Sellers list for five weeks running. In total, Heidi Petach has authored eight books and illustrated more than sixty. She has been a featured speaker at schools, libraries, and conferences.

Cover of The Night Before Valentine's Day by Natasha Wing. Illustrations ©2000 by Heidi Petach

Equally adept in the fiber arts, Petach's freeform crochet art won numerous awards and honors, from touring the country in a juried exhibit to winning the People's Choice award at a national conference. She authored three design books and launched Stitch Markers with Charm™, a line of knitting and crochet stitch markers with semi-precious stones and dangling charms that can be worn as jewelry.

Stitch Markers with Charm™

This eventually led to what Petach is currently doing: offering great service in Fine Jewelry at Macy's. "I love interacting with people- essentially, I'm a 'people-person'. Plus, I get to play with precious gems all day!"

Heidi Petach lives in Cincinnati with her husband Jay and black cat Jackie.