Koehler-Pentacoff was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up in nearby Oconomowoc. She moved to California as a teenager to attend college. She chose a double-major in children’s theater and liberal studies and graduated from California State University, Fresno in 1979.

Married to Robert Pentacoff in 1981, she taught elementary and middle school and directed children’s theater before she turned to freelance writing for magazines and newspapers. When her son, Christopher, was young, she wrote stories for him, which led her to writing books for children.

When Koehler-Pentacoff began writing children’s books, she also instructed adult teachers through California State Hayward Extension (California State East Bay). She taught weekend classes of creative drama and improvisation. Later she taught writing for children and writing comedy through University of Santa Cruz Extension located in Cupertino.

She has worked with the California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch’s Young Writers Contest since 1995, and now chairs this county-wide program for middle school students.

Jackson and Bud’s Bumpy Ride: America’s First Cross-Country Road Trip (2009)John Muir and Stickeen: An Alaskan Adventure (2003)The ABC’s of Writing for Children (2002)You're Kidding! Incredible Facts about the Presidents (1999)Help! My Life is Going to the Dogs (1997)Wish Magic (1996)Louise the One and Only (1995)Explorers (1994)Curtain Call (1989)

Author to Editor, Compiled by Linda Arms White, 1999Writers in the Kitchen, Compiled by Tricia Gardella, Boyds Mills Press, 1998.Classroom Celebrations, Compiled by Teaching & Learning Company, 1996.

Booklist, July, 1996, p. 1826; October 15, 2003, Carolyn Phelan, review of John Muir and Stickeen: An Alaskan Adventure, p. 407.Kirkus Reviews, November 1, 2003, review of John Muir and Stickeen, p. 1311Library Journal, March 15, 2003, Denise S. Stricha, review of The ABCs of Writing for Children: 114 Children's Authors and Illustrators Talk about the Art, the Business, the Craft, and the Life of Writing Children's Literature, p. 92.School Library Journal, August, 1996, p. 125; November, 2003, Susannah Price, review of The ABCs of Writing for Children, p. 175 January, 2004, Margaret Bush, review of John Muir and Stickeen, p. 118Writer, June, 2004, Joan Azelrod-Contrada, review of Inspiration and Tips for Children's Writers, p. 45