Tammy Yee

I'm the author and/or illustrator of more than 36 books and a part-time butterfly wrangler. When I'm not creating books, I enjoy designing origami and paper models for kids.

Growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, I explored tide pools, caught crayfish in island streams, and collected monarch caterpillars from crown flower trees to raise into butterflies.

My mother, an elementary school custodian, never skimped on books. She splurged on a set of World Book Encyclopedias, and I spent hours leafing through the gilt-edged pages. Starting with A for ancient Anatolia, I trekked through the gardens of Babylonia, immersed myself in Cleopatra's man troubles, and explored the ziggurats of Mesopotamia.

Mom also subscribed me to Parent Magazine's Book-of-the-Month Club, which hooked me on picture books and inspired me to write and illustrate spooky stories my teachers politely read. And so began my journey writing and illustrating books!