Growing up on a small and diverse farm in a nurturing family has contributed to my passion for writing children's picture books with positive messages that have a rural setting and an intergenerational theme. Being an elementary teacher has sharpened my skill as a writer and helped me instinctively know what attracts children to a book. Having a supportive family has been essential.   

1991 Teacher of the Year, Morristown Public School District;
Honorable Mention 2006 Writer's Digest Children's Picture Book Award for Opa & Oma Together, a self-published book;
Presenter at Hamline University Summer Literacy Institute, 2009;
Presenter at Minnesota Education Media Organization Conferences, 2006, 2007, and 2008;
Presenter at North Dakota Library Association Conference, 2007;
Presenter at student teaching seminar, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, 2002-07;
Presenter at state, regional, and national math conferences, 2003-05, 2009
Moderator, panelist, Deep Valley Book Festival, 2006, 2007;
Presenter at Young Writer's Conference, Mankato, Minnesota, 2008;
Presenter at Bloomington Writer's Festival, Bloomington, Minnesota, 2008 and 2009;
Bronze medalist for Big Brother Has Wheels, Independent Publishers, received in New York City, May, 2010.

Released second book, Oma Finds a Miracle, in May 2007; launched third children's picture book, national award-winner, Big Brother Has Wheels,in October 2009 with illustrator Andrew Holmquist, a 2008 graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Heartwarming Stories of the Heartland
Includes pages on books, endorsements, reviews, testimonials of programs, personal background on author and illustrator, an events calendar, and information on the real characters and setting that are the basis for the books.

2010 IPPY Winner of Children's Picture Book (All Ages)
Patrick "Packy" Mader received a bronze medal from Independent Publishers at an awards ceremony in New York City on May 25, 2010.