B. 1942

Eileen Spinelli was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has authored more than 40 children’s books, including Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch (1996); When Mama Comes Home Tonight (1998), winner of an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award; In My New Yellow Shirt (2001), winner of a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year award; Do You Have a Hat? (2004), winner of a Carolyn W. Field Award; Sophie’s Masterpiece: A Spider’s Tale (2004); A Big Boy Now (2012); and We’re Better Together: A Book about Community (2021). Her books of poetry include Feathers: Poems About Birds (2004), Tea Party Today (2006), and When You Are Happy (2006). Spinelli’s poetry has been noted for its imaginative and charming images. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the children’s writer Jerry Spinelli.