Barbara deRubertis Barbara deRubertis recently retired after 31 years of teaching elementary and middle school classes. She has written more than 50 books for children that have been published by Kane Press. Barbara and her husband live in Cashmere, Washington. R. W. Alley has illustrated over 100 books for children. He has received numerous starred reviews and awards for his works, including a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award.