Author, poet, illustrator, and librarian Cynthia Rylant has written over 100 children’s books, and her many awards include the Newbery Medal, two Caldecott Honors, a Boston Globe/Horn Book award, and a “Best Book for Young Adults” designation from the American Library Association.

Cynthia grew up in in the Appalachian region of West Virginia, living for several years with her maternal grandparents. Though she felt nurtured and loved, the family lived with hardships: there was no electricity, running water, or car. Her writing reflects these early experiences, with themes of love for the outdoors and animals, overcoming hard times, and finding joy through family and the warmth of community.

As a child, Cynthia intensely missed her parents, and this, too, shows in her writing--because “when you write stories, it's always your most intense feelings that come out." Still, one of her most cherished memories is of this important advice from her grandparents: "Always do the best you can with what you've got.”

Cynthia lives in Oregon and is happy collecting teapots and quilts and playing with her two cats, Benjamin and Boris.