Sally Gilchrest-Unrau was born in Stratford Connecticut and has lived in Canada for over the past 30 years. She lives in the small rural town of Morden Manitoba with her husband Hank and two dogs, Sage and Zula . Sally and her husband have one daughter Michelle Beaudry who lives and works inVancouver, BC.

After receiving a teaching degree and a B.S. in Special Education at Southern Connecticut University, Sally moved to Canada and went on to have a career in the field of Early Childhood Education …working in a variety of programs and positions. She has had extensive experience working with preschool children, their parents, program staff and other professionals ….and for the last seventeen years of her career she worked for the Province of Manitoba as a Child Day Care Co-ordinator/Licensing Body…visiting and observing …programs assisting , ensuring they are meeting the standards set by the Provincial Day Care Standards Act and providing assistance and resources.

Sally’s experience with Special Needs programs …working in a Language Disorder Program.. and with Day Care programming for Special Needs preschoolers … assisting staff in program development for preschooler’s with Special Needs…assisting and supporting parents of these children….has been a very rewarding part of her career.

Sally is a three time Breast Cancer survivor who upon deciding to retire, started writing about the thing she knew best…children and their parents. She began by writing …in journals after being first diagnosed ..which later turned into more creative writing endeavors such as short autobiographical stories, poetry and children’s stories which she has continues to write.

Sally has her story…Location, location, location .. published in the book , Cup of Comfort for Breast Cancer Survivors ,a poem entitled….Infinite Calm…published in the book , Whispers on the Wind....a poetry anthology which was released in January 2010. Her most recent published item is Sam's Weird Afternoon..a picture book for young children, published by Tate Publishing.

In 2008 …after over three decades living in Canada, Sally finally applied for… and was thrilled to receive her Canadian citizenship.

Sally is open and candid about her breast cancer , her writing /working with a publisher…her adventures …as she calls them… and has already spoken to a variety of groups and organizations about her experiences. Sally would be happy to speak /read her book to classrooms, libraries, children’s events if located in Southern Manitoba, Winnipeg or surrounding areas.