Melanie Darling has always enjoyed drawing and in the 6th grade, she declared that was her calling in life. Many years, four kids and a lot of fur babies later, she still finds illustration as one of her favorite ways to chill and her favorite form of therapy. Her first illustrated book was The Love Lottery, followed by Panda, my Bear, and Through the Rain. She was a featured artist in The Giving World, and also in the artist collaboration book, The Animal World. Bear Hugs was one of her favorite books to illustrate as she had the freedom to give her own creative design to each animal character. When she isn't working full time, you'll find her spending time with her kids and her amazing partner in Aurora, Colorado. And just so you know, if you ever met her, she is always up for a BIG hug!