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 fiction and nonfiction books. The inspiration for Good Night, Little Sea Otter came while writing an article about two young scuba divers exploring an ocean kelp forest. Other recent books are: Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish, Fur and Feathers, Little Skink's Tail, and Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story. 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 with her husband in South Milwaukee, WI.