Natalie Zane Babbitt was an acclaimed American writer and illustrator of children's books. Known for her captivating stories and charming illustrations, Babbitt's work has resonated with readers for generations. She attended Laurel School for Girls, and later graduated from Smith College. Over the course of her career, she was celebrated for her contributions to children's literature, receiving accolades such as the Newbery Honor and Christopher Award. Her novel, Tuck Everlasting, stands as a testament to her storytelling prowess, having been adapted into two feature films and a Broadway musical.

Babbitt was also recognized on an international stage, being the U.S. nominee for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1982, which honors lifelong achievement in children's literature. Her personal life was as rich as her literary one; she was married to Samuel Fisher Babbitt, with whom she had three children, and she was a doting grandmother to three grandchildren. Babbitt resided in Rhode Island and was actively involved in the literary community as a board member of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance, an organization dedicated to advocating for literacy, literature, and libraries.