Astrid Sheckels spent her childhood playing outside, using her imagination, and drawing. Her Scandinavian roots are evident in her artwork, which she describes as a "mix of classic realism and whimsy." She studied Fine Art at Greenfield Community College and works as a full-time artist. She is a member of the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Astrid is the author/illustrator of Hector Fox and the Giant Quest and the award-winning Nic and Nellie. She is also the illustrator, of The Scallop Christmas, The Fish House Door, and Hope Somewhere in America. She lives in Greenfield, Massachusetts.