Sandra Read

Sandra Read — known to friends as Sandy — is a children's book author and illustrator writing from the Pacific Northwest, where rainy afternoons and the occasional sunny hike both find their way into her stories. A schoolteacher by trade, Sandy has spent years surrounded by curious young minds — and credits her students, fellow teachers, and the steady hum of classroom life as an endless source of inspiration for her books. She also loves spending time with family members of all ages and gets even more inspiration there.

Sandy's love of writing began in junior high English classes, where poetry and short stories quickly became her favorites. That early spark has grown into a body of work that captures the warmth, humor, and quiet wonder of everyday family life. Her picture books — including Hazel Wants a Kitten, Mama's Helper: For Mamas of Little Boys, Hudson's Virtual World, Mia Leads the Squad, Noah's Grand Slam, and Visiting Great-Grandpa — are brought to life with her own soft watercolor-style illustrations. She also helped bring Popcorn in the Sky to readers as an editor and contributor.

Faith, family, and friendship are at the heart of everything Sandy creates — and if you know her, consider yourself fair game for a future story! When she's not writing, you'll likely find her fishing, hiking, camping, or traveling somewhere far from home, soaking in cultures different from her own and gathering quiet moments to turn into the next tale.