The Creative Team

Dawn Matheson is a new and refreshing author and publisher committed to creating quality works for children. After her first book, Ruby Lee The Bumble Bee ~ A Bee’s Bit Of Wisdom, was rejected by nearly every mainstream children’s book publisher, she launched the boutique press Bumble Bee Publishing and the production company Bumble Bee Productions, Inc. Her first effort received several honors, including two Benjamin Franklin Awards, the International Gallery Award, and the “Most Outstanding Children’s Book” distinction at the Mom’s Choice Awards. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Publisher’s Marketing Association, and Small Publishers Association of North America.

Dawn is actively involved in promoting child literacy in the U.S., and loves traveling, gourmet cooking, and spending time with her family. She lives in Chesapeake, Virginia, with the love of her life and husband of more than ten years, Scott Matheson, and their two feline children, Sassy and TJ. She has 22 nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

Award-winning designer/illustrator Pamela Barcita has won numerous awards, including an Athena. She was honored by the Society of Illustrators in Los Angeles. A member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, she has illustrated over 20 children’s books, including the popular Boots the Cat series. Review a sampling of Pamela's diversified portfolio. In addition, Pamela has illustrated coloring books and authored African Wildlife, A Photographic Journal. An art teacher at the college level, Pamela lives in rural Chesapeake, Virginia, with her family, four cats, and two cockatiels. She and her husband formed Barcita & Barcita, Incorporated, in 1988.

Veteran designer José Barcita has worked at some of Virginia’s most prestigious advertising agencies and garnered numerous advertising and design awards in local, national, and international competition. A co-founder of the The Society of Communicating Arts, he is a recipient of the Silver Medal Award, which was established by the American Advertising Federation to recognize individuals for their creative excellence, outstanding contri-butions to advertising, and social responsibility. José has two children and five grandchildren.

Cindy Huffman is an award-winning writer and editor who lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has worked at one of Virginia’s largest advertising agencies and written for national and international clients. Cindy is a past president of the The Society of Communicating Arts. Her father authored numerous children’s stories, and she has edited several children’s books including the Ruby Lee the Bumble Bee series and Yesterday We Had A Hurricane. She has one cat, a feisty Siamese.