Dale E. Thornton began his 38-year career in education after graduation from the University of Montana, Missoula, MT. The first 30 years were as a financial aid officer at the University of Montana and then financial aid director at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. His last professional career in education lasted for eight years when he developed/implemented an outreach program for American Indian youth in northern Minnesota. He has authored numerous articles/essays for professional newsletters and journals. Grandmother Nika is his first venture into the children's story genre. He and his wife live in Minnesota and he may be reached at Thornton.dale1@gmail.com.