Livingston, Mary a.: - A Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award recipient and California Federation of Chaparral Poets honoree, Mary, grew up in the forested communities of Humboldt and Trinity Counties of Northern California. She attended Shasta College, Humboldt State University, and Loyola University. She has worked in photography, education, publishing, and liturgical design. She began her career in children's literature authoring nature and environmental education titles. Percy Learns to Fly is her debut as an illustrator. She and her husband, Tim, have two sons and three grandchildren.