Ann Garrett was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and grew up playing in the gully behind her family’s house, hiking in the Rockies, riding horses, raising animals and skiing. At the age of fourteen she began to work with children who were emotionally disturbed. She has never stopped. Ann attended the University of Utah where she received Bachelor of Science degrees in sociology and social work. During her junior year in college Ann lived in Switzerland and traveled throughout Europe. For over forty years Ann has lived in the Los Angeles area, working in a residential treatment center and therapeutic school for severely emotionally disturbed children. These children were physically and sexually abused. Ann has also worked with children on the autism spectrum. She was most recently  a children’s librarian,  public school liaison, supervised a tutoring literacy program, and before her retirement a Special Education Teacher. These programs gave her an intense venue for studying and understanding how stories affect the most difficult of audiences. Travel and adventure are Ann’s favorite activities. She loves kids, animals, writing, and a great conversation over a cup of coffee. Ann has written several children’s picture books, both individually and in collaboration with the late Gene-Michael Higney . She is the author of KEEPER OF THE SWAMP (which was also published in Spanish as Guardian Del Pantano). Ann also collaborated with Gene-Michael Higney on FINS AND FLIPPERS/SCALES AND NIPPERS, MISS HISS IS MISSING, PEANUT BUTTER BBQ, PRACTICAL YOKE, STARDUSTERS, WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?, WHAT'S FOR DINNER?, and TALES OF TAILS. Most recently, Ann has coauthored two books for adults entitled: TLC FOR FRAZZLED KIDS, Helping Grown Ups Help Kids and HELP FOR FRAZZLED MOMS. These books draw on her many years of experience of working with children. She lives and writes in California.