About June

Biography

Few babies are fortunate enough to have a ghostwriter in their first weeks of life, but I was one of the lucky ones.  My grandfather, Abe Sobel, took it upon himself to compose poems for my parents and sign my name. Looking back, these early verses may have foretold the rhyming career I would later pursue.

Born in Queens, New York, I am the eldest of four sisters.  My father, Arthur Sobel, a CPA, crossed paths with my mother, Clara, when he winked at her across the dance floor at Grossinger’s Hotel.  Growing up in the quiet Long Island suburb of Oceanside, New York, my mother, an avid reader, instilled in me a lifelong love of books. Weekly trips to the local library were part of my childhood routine. When I wasn’t reading, I loved to draw and paint.  Attending Saturday classes at the Art’s Student’s League in New York City influenced my decision to major in art during my college years. I earned a Studio Art degree from Skidmore College.

After a brief stint working as a graphic designer in the music industry, I was accepted at Stanford University to pursue an MFA in Painting. Upon graduation, I received an individual grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

When I moved to Los Angeles, my painting and drawings were exhibited at many museums and galleries throughout the country, including the Smithsonian and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.  In addition to my fine art pursuits, I established a free-lance illustration business, creating works for clients primarily in the gift, housewares, and stationary industries.

The birth of my son, Adam, reignited my love of the read aloud magic of books for the very young.  I collected picture books long before I became a mother.  My toddler’s fascination with heavy equipment prompted me to write the book I couldn’t find – B IS FOR BULLDOZER – A Construction ABC (Illustrated by Melissa Iwai.)  My first book was soon followed by another alphabet adventure, SHIVER ME LETTERS – A Pirate ABC (Illustrated by Henry Cole.) A cross country train trip inspired the bedtime travels of my best seller THE GOODNIGHT TRAIN (Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith.)

THE GOODNIGHT TRAIN has grown to a popular series of 7 books, several to be published through 2025. TOW TRUCK JOE is my second series. Joe is an animated, problem-solving tow truck with a helpful best friend, a pup named Patch. TOW TRUCK JOE MAKES A SPLASH brought summer fun in 2021. Readers can look forward to HO! HO! HO! TOW TRUCK JOE in the 2023 holiday season. My new back to school picture book FIRST DAY! HOORAY! (June 2024) helps children playfully explore all the feelings that follow them on the first day of school.

I live in Westlake Village, CA with my husband, Mark Raudonis. I work in a room with a spectacular view of the Santa Mountains and an ever-changing sky. It’s the perfect place to dream up my next book!

Author Visits

June is available for school visits, library visits, Zoom chats and more.

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Check Out the View From My Office!

I work in a room with a view of the Santa Monica Mountains. Having grown up in a flat place, I longed to live near mountain. My dreams came true! Check out my Instagram account to see the ever-changing vista outside my window.

Officeview1

Ten Things About Me

   1. I saved the life of a butterfly when I scared a cat.

   2. I try to read at least 50 books a year.

   3. I took my driving test 5 times. It’s a long story.

   4. I love to talk to dogs and babies.

   5. I collect odd words like rasceta, clishmaclaver and flumadiddle in a little notebook.

   6. I was in a hitchhiking contest across upstate New York that ended in a tie.

   7. I opened my door one day to find a flopping fish jumped out of the koi pond in front of my house. I picked it up and saved its life.

   8. I wanted to be a cowgirl when I grew up.

   9. I have heli-hiked in the Bugaboos, communed with penguins in Patagonia and have been too close to elephants, lions, leopards, and rhinos in Southern Africa.

  10. I love halvah, Satsuma tangerines, salted caramel, and dark chocolate.