Molly Cranch is a children’s picture book author-illustrator, fine artist and educator living in Chicago, Illinois. She received a BFA in painting from Washington University in St. Louis and a K-12 certificate in art education from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In her capacity as a fine artist, she has exhibited her nature-inspired paintings in galleries all across the United States. Additionally, she has taught a wide variety of art media to children in public and private schools, art centers and museums for over 20 years. As both a parent and a teacher, she would often read stories aloud, inspiring endless conversations and creativity. It was this experience that compelled her to write and illustrate her own stories. Incorporating SEL and STEM, her stories are whimsical and lyrical.