Betsy was born in Brooklyn, New York. Most of her childhood {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (spend) in New York City, in a house filled {#blank#}2{#/blank#} books. It was then that she grew to love books and reading.

    Before she became a {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (write), Betsy taught kindergarten and first grade. The best part of the school day for her {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (be) story time, when she could share her favourite books with the class. She decided {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (try) writing her own children's books after she met her husband, illustrator (插图画家) Giulio. Together, they have created many books. She writes the words, {#blank#}6{#/blank#} he draws the pictures.

    Betsy believes that writers should always edit their own work and then ask someone else to look it over. "Your editor can be your teacher, one of your parents {#blank#}7{#/blank#} elder brother or sister, or someone in your class who is good at writing. Your editor will see your work {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (different) from the way you see it, so you will get a new point of view (见解)."

    Betsy and her husband like to travel, and they sometimes do research for their books on {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (they) trips. They also enjoy talking to students when they visit schools and {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (library).

    I {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (wait) for the bus when I met the woman. "You look tired. Come and sit here," she said. "Where will you go?" "I don't know. I just want to catch a bus and see what it will be like at the end."

    "I'm afraid you {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (see) nothing there. Why {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (not enjoy) the sights on the way?"

    "How can I do that while my heart's breaking?" I asked sadly. My best friend left me.

    The woman seemed to understand my feeling. "Don't cry, little girl. I've had a similar experience. Thirty-five years ago, my husband left our three children and me. I was deadly sad. I decided {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (kill) myself and the children, so I took them to the sea. However, they seemed to know what {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (happen), so they cried loudly. Their cry suddenly woke me up. How could I give up my hope to live for one of the life's problems? After that, I worked hard to raise the children. Now they all live happily and one of them has his own family.

    Then the woman gave me a smile, "We should never {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (wait) for the door to open before us. We should find the key to the door or try to find another way."