Janet Halfmann is an award-winning children’s author who strives to make her books come alive for young readers and listeners. She has written more than thirty books, both fiction and nonfiction.  Her Civil War era nonfiction picture book, "Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story" (Lee & Low Books, 2008), was named an Honor Book by the Society of School Librarians International and included in the Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year. Her fiction picture book, "Little Skink’s Tail" (Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2007), received top honors in the Mom’s Choice Awards, being chosen one of three Best Children’s Books for 2009. The book also won the Teacher’s Choice Award from Learning Magazine and Best Overall Book and Best Picture Book honors from the Florida Publishers Association.  Before becoming a children’s author, Janet was a daily newspaper reporter, children’s magazine editor, and a creator of coloring and activity books for Golden Books. She is the mother of four and the grandmother of four. When Janet isn’t writing, she enjoys gardening, exploring nature, visiting living history museums, and spending time with her family. She grew up on a farm in Michigan and now lives in South Milwaukee, WI.