Growing up in New Mexico and Arizona, Lisa Bear Goldman has always had a special love for the Southwest. She spent her early years in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and then attended the University of Arizona in Tucson where she completed her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. She initially came up with the idea to write Amadito and Spider Woman, her first children’s book, to honor her mother who was a librarian who loved spiders and all of nature. Additionally, Lisa’s work as a counselor inspired her to pass on to children some guidance in dealing with difficult emotions, in the story. Amado Pena, the celebrated artist, painted the beautiful watercolor paintings that illustrate this book and are on this website.

Lisa currently works as a counselor for an Albuquerque high school. She also serves as an artist’s representative for her father, Herb Goldman, an accomplished sculptor, and is on the Board of Directors of Art Has Heart, JB & Amado Pena’s foundation providing educational scholarships for young people.

BEAR FACTS
Birth Date June 26, Year of the Dragon
Pets Apollo the Burmese cat, Bella the silky gray cat, and Burrito the magical miniature donkey
Favorite Animal Species All animals (less grasshoppers) With a special affinity for foxes and polar bears
Favorite Places The Sonoran Desert, Santa Catalina Mountains, New Mexican Woodlands and the Sandia Mountains