It's a Firefly Night

Dianne Ochiltree is the author of several award-winning picture books for the very young, including Ten Monkey Jamboree, Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins (Margaret K. McElderry Books) and Lull-a-bye, Little One (G.P. Putnam’s Sons). Dianne lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her family and pets in a house by the bay. You can visit her at ochiltreebooks.com.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl from Ohio who drew on sidewalks and dreamt of becoming a REAL artist someday. And she did! After lots of doodling (and erasing), some schooling, and a cool gig as a staff artist at American Greetings, that little girl (ME!) took a big leap to follow her dream of making children’s books full-time. Today, my art can be found on everything from greeting cards, baby gifts, stickers, board games, fabric, wallpaper and books, of course! Since making my publishing debut in 2007, I have illustrated and/or authored over fifteen books, earning recognition from groups including the Society of Illustrators, the New York Times Book Review, Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine, and Parents’ Choice. I still live in Ohio with my book-loving family, where I draw on sidewalks and encourage kids (and even grown-ups) to tell their stories and chase their dreams. (Bio via betsysnyder.com)