Laura Smetana is an award-winning author and illustrator. She loves creating bright, joyful cut-paper watercolor collages inspired by nature. Her author-illustrated book, My Love for You Is Like a Garden, was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2023, received a starred Kirkus review, and numerous other awards. She is also the author of Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids About Alzheimer's & Dementia, (illustrated by Elisabete B. P. de Moraes), which won a Northern Lights Book Award. Laura co-authored her debut children's book, Little Squiggle's Lake Adventure, with her son. When she isn't writing or painting, Laura can be found inspiring kids to create their own books at school author visits, teaching collage art to adults and children, stargazing, and going on walks to find the moon with her family. Laura lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and son. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Downers Grove Artists' Guild, and the Nature Artists' Guild of The Morton Arboretum. You can visit her online at [...]