Zigman, Melanie: - Melanie Zigman recently retired and decided to pursue her passion and write a children's book. Shellie Goes on an Adventure is based on a true story, and the Side -by -Side Books concept sprang out of a conversation around her own family turtle's harrowing escape, and how fun it must have been for the turtle, despite being so scary for her family.

When she isn't writing, Melanie enjoys kayaking, hiking, and volunteering. She lives in Collingwood, Ontario.