Lorna Balian was born and raised in Wisconsin. She studied art at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, where she met her husband, John. Together, they renovated an old brick schoolhouse where they raised six children. Lorna's children's book career began when she decided to write and illustrate stories for her young children. She published her first book, Humbug Witch in 1965. Her long and celebrated career of creating books continues to be inspired by her fourteen grandchildren. Lorna still lives in Wisconsin with her husband.