Beverly Atlee Cleary was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction. One of America's most successful authors, Cleary sold 91 million copies of her books worldwide since her first publication in 1950. Some of her best-known characters include Ramona Quimby and Beezus Quimby, Henry Huggins and his dog Ribsy, and Ralph S. Mouse.

Most of Cleary's books are set in the Grant Park neighborhood of northeast Portland, Oregon, where she was raised. She was one of the first authors of children's literature to feature emotional realism in her narratives, often focusing on children in middle-class families. Her first children's book, Henry Huggins, was inspired by a question from a child when Cleary worked as a librarian.

Cleary's contributions to literature have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 1981 National Book Award for Ramona and Her Mother and the 1984 Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. She also received the National Medal of Arts and was named a Library of Congress Living Legend. The Beverly Cleary School in Portland is named in her honor, and statues of her famous characters stand in Grant Park.

Cleary passed away on March 25, 2021, at the age of 104, but her beloved stories continue to inspire and entertain children worldwide.