It's a little known secret, but Amazon.com, the New York Times, Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey, HGTV, Paula Poundstone, Reader's Digest, Lands' End, SpiceBox (in Canada), and Red Communications (in Malaysia) have at least one thing in common; and that is Michael Kline's phone number.

In addition to the former, Kline has contributed words and pictures to Kids Discover magazine for over 18 years, and lists such companies as Williamson Publishing, Family Fun magazine, Storey Publishing, and Ideals Publishing among those who receive his hand-addressed invoices. He is the author/illustrator of WordPlay Cafe, a phonetic romp for the knee-high generation, and crafts his illuminations from his modest and almost-paid-for home in Wichita, KS.

The wobbly corners of Kline's drawing table are set level with documents such as The 1999 EdPress Golden Lamp Award, the 1996, 1997, & 2005 Parent’s Choice Gold Award, The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book, Children’s Book Council Notable Children’s Book, Benjamin Franklin Best Multicultural Book Award, and Learning Magazine’s Teachers’ Choice Award.

The areas of highest honor in his office however, are reserved for letters and artwork from normal, everyday children—like himself.