Biography

Off to college (Central MO State) went the oldest of the Harness kids, to become an art teacher, but no, that wasn't it. As a student teacher, Cheryl Harness made a fine waitress. Later, out by a Kansas City roller-coaster, she had a fine time quick-sketching the living (good training for drawing the dead – more about that later), but that wasn't it either. She spent many years in greeting card land, designing paper hoohah for Hallmark, Current, & such. Was that it? Nope, but she was well on the path to finding it.  She went on to write and/or illustrate more than 40 books. For whom? Kids. The subject? American History mostly. Dull stuff, huh? That's what you think! And Cheryl took to gallivanting all over the country, talking to students, teachers, librarians, about writing, about learning, creating, drawing, and communicating the essence of some of the most remarkable, persevering, impressive dead people who ever lived out some of the most impressive stories you've ever heard. And that was IT, by golly! Her Perfect Work: What she encourages her audiences to find, the best use of our talents and our precious time on earth. For Cheryl H. it's learning, writing, drawing, then talking about her subjects to and with all kinds of people. Playing her harmonica. Making them laugh – she's historical! Encouraging, entertaining - that's it all right.