Lita was born in Ketchikan, Alaska and raised in remote areas of Oregon, Utah, Nevada, and Wisconsin. She spent her summers in Wisconsin with her grandparents, both of whom were prominent wildlife biologists. The house was filled with a menagerie of owls, eagles, and other raptors. Banding harrier hawks and kestrels as well as rehabilitating falcons were all part of summer activities. She also traveled extensively with her parents, camping and photographing wildlife. A passionate interest in dinosaurs at a young age led her to study Geology in college and spend two field seasons working on dinosaur digs. Now she draws on all these experiences and interests to do what she loves most, writing and illustrating children’s books!

Lita’s first picture book as author and illustrator, One Thousand Tracings, was a 2008 ALA Notable Book, an NCTE Notable Book, won the International Reading Association Children’s Book Award, and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Honor. The story is about a relief effort Lita’s grandparents organized after WWII. Her grandparents sent food, clothing and shoes to friends in need in Europe and offered help to others. Soon letters from all over the continent started pouring into their modest Midwest farm. With so many in need, her grandparents enlisted the help of friends and neighbors and together they sent more packages. Ultimately thousands of people on both sides of the Atlantic were touched by this remarkable effort.

D is for Dinosaur, a prehistoric alphabet book, and S is for S’mores, a camping alphabet book, were released in 2007 with Sleeping Bear Press. Lita had a fantastic time reawakening a childhood passion for dinosaurs while illustrating and co-writing the dinosaur book. Lita also illustrated Ugly (2006) and Mogo (2008), both written by Donna Jo Napoli and published by Hyperion Books for Children. Her next picture book, Pennies for Elephants, will be released in the spring of 2009. She also has books in the works with Viking, Roaring Brook and Hyperion.

Now, Lita lives in Peterborough, N.H. with her husband and two cats. For information about Lita, school visits and speaking engagements, please visit her website. www.litajudge.com