A frequent speaker, Kirby has presented at more than 200 schools, workshops, and seminars. She enjoys sharing how she developed a passion for research-which she fondly calls "detective work." At the same time, she teaches valuable skills for writing and storytelling.

Kirby has always had a passion for books-her best friends growing up. In fact, her teachers often complained that she spent too much time reading and not enough time on homework. But Kirby never imagined becoming a writer. That is, until she had children and read them Arnold Lobel's Ming Lo Moves the Mountain. "When I turned the last page, a switch went off inside me," she said. "I wanted to learn how to write stories that would touch others the way this book had touched me."

Kirby lives in Kenmore, Washington with her husband, Neil. When she's not reading, writing, or teaching, Kirby enjoys gardening, bird watching, traveling, or drinking lattes with friends.