Sharon Reiss Baker’s first story, published when she was nine in a fourth grade class anthology, concerned a spider-eating baby. Over a decade later, she received her B.A. from Harvard University and then did graduate work in education at Lesley University and the University of Miami. She taught elementary and middle school for many years in many different places, including Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico, and collected plots, characters, and settings for future children’s books in each location.

A Nickel, A Trolley, A Treasure House, based loosely on a story from Sharon’s family history, is her first book; several others are on the way. A member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Sharon conducts writing workshops for children, teachers, and other writers. She also collaborates with artists to develop interdisciplinary arts residencies in schools. Sharon loves travel and has lived and studied in France and Israel. Currently, she lives near Philadelphia with her husband and children.