Emily Arnold McCully was born in Galesburg, Illinois on July 1st, a "daredevil child" always climbing trees or buildings.

Encouraged by her mother, she started reading and doodling at the age of three. Later her doodles and sketches worked their way into stories that she would bind into books complete with copyright. She set up a stand and sold her work at the end of the driveway.

Emily received a degree in Art History from Brown University and an MA in Theatre and Art History from Columbia. Her interest in theatre drove her to write a prize-winning musical. Her art career began slowly—McCully illustrated book covers and posters before being offered a book contract by Harper and Row. She has now illustrated more than a hundred children's books.

Her Mirette on the High Wire, introducing us to an independent, daredevil, tight-rope walker, Mirette, won the Caldecott Medal Award in 1993 and was honored as one of the Ten Best Illustrated Books of 1992 by The New York Times. Journey From Peppermint Street, by Meindert DeJong and illustrated by Emily McCully, became the first children's book to win the National Book Award. Among her newest books are Picnic and Squirrel and John Muir. McCully also writes for adults.

"Don't worry about what other people are doing. Don't try to emulate. Work from what is inside you, crying out—however softly, however timidly—for expression."