Laura Smetana is an award-winning author and illustrator. She loves creating bright, joyful cut-paper watercolor collages inspired by nature. Her latest author-illustrated book, My Love for You Is Like a Garden, is a joyful celebration of unconditional love with bold, watercolor collages of garden scenes and was recognized as one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2023. 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 was winner of a Northern Lights Book Award, and Little Squiggle's Lake Adventure, which she co-authored 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, gardening in her sunhat, and spending time with her family outdoors. 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 at www.laurasmetana.com.