The Ravioli Kid: An Original Spaghetti Western »

Michelle Freeman received her BFA from New York's Parsons School of Design, after which she spent ten years in New York, creating costumes for theatrical productions, performers, and dancers. She has designed for Chaps Ralph Lauren, Nike, and Columbia Sportswear. Michelle is also the author of How the West Was Worn. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, daughter, and their four cats.

Jason Abbott is a freelance illustrator who works in a variety of areas including magazines, books and character development. He attended Savannah College of Art and Design for undergraduate school and Syracuse University for graduate school. He lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area with his wife and children.

"Life is a combination of magic and pasta."

--Federico Fellini

Mindy Hardwick - Children's Literature

Stellina lives in the badlands and can not remember when something good has happened. When she was three, everyone in the town fell ill from eating bad anchovies. When she was five, the chickens refused to lay eggs. Each year something bad has happened to her but in her seventh year, the worst seems yet to come. Angel Hair and his Gang of Anti-Pasta arrive in town. Stellina's parents run a pasta restaurant on Main Street. One day, Stellina finds the bags of pasta have been looted. Angel Hair and the Anti-Pasta gang had arrived! Stellina knows what to do. She makes pasta and starts a food fight. She lassos the Anti-Pasta gang with spaghetti and is awarded a medal of honor. This creative picture book with colorful illustrations is sure to delight many small readers. 2005, Gibbs Smith Publisher, Ages 3 to 5.