Sherri L. Smith is the author of several novels for young adults, including the critically acclaimed Flygirl, Orleans, and Pasadena, as well as the middle grade novel The Toymaker's Apprentice.

She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Tara Nicole fell in love with children's books from visits to the local library. This passion for illustration developed into one for animation, as well. Her education in art began early, from classes at Pratt in her youth, to more formal training at RISD and California Institute of the Arts, earning her a BFA in Character Animation in 2002.

Since graduating, she has designed for Dreamworks, Nickelodeon, Fox Animation, PBS, CBS, Cartoon Network, and most recently, Disney. She loves dogs and her mini. My Baby Loves Chrismtas marks Tara's debut as a children's book illustrator!