Astrid Sheckels cannot remember a time when she was not telling or illustrating stories, especially ones involving imaginary animals. A native of western Massachusetts and growing up in an artistic family, Astrid spent her childhood playing outside, using her imagination, and drawing. She studied Fine Art at Greenfield Community College and now works as a full-time artist.

Astrid is the author/illustrator of the award-winning Hector Fox & Friends picture book series (Islandport Press). The four-book series includes Hector Fox and the Giant Quest, Hector Fox and the Raven’s Revenge, Hector Fox and the Daring Flight and Hector Fox and the Map of Mystery.

Her debut book as an author/illustrator was the award-winning Nic and Nellie (Islandport Press). As an illustrator, her other award-winning titles include The Scallop Christmas (Islandport Press) and The Fish House Door (Islandport Press). She has illustrated the picture book Hope Somewhere in America (Twin Lights Publishers) and the two chapter books, Black Cloud and Tennessee Rose, in the Horse Diaries series (Random House).