Cynthia Rylant is the author of numerous distinguished novels and picture books for young readers. In addition to her beginning-reader series, Poppleton, Henry and Mudge, and Mr. Putter and Tabby, she is also the author of the Newbery Medal-winning <i>Missing May</i>, the Newbery Honor Book <i>A Fine White Dust</i>, and two Caldecott Honor-winning picture books. Cynthia grew up in Appalachia, and she now lives with her pets in the Pacific Northwest.<