The bestselling author of the wildly successful If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up surrounded by art, music, and books. Laura attended Pratt Institute and graduated with a degree in communications and a contract for her first children's book, Amy for Short, published in 1975. Her books have been highlighted on Oprah and read by presidents and first ladies to children as well as featured at the White House Easter Egg Roll. An avid animal lover, she has also written a series celebrating service dogs called Raising a Hero, the proceeds of which support Canine Companions for Independence.