As a kid, Tom Birdseye wasย decidedly uninterested in writingโor any academic aspect of school, for that matterโnever imagining that he would eventually become a published author.ย And yet, nineteen titles laterโnovels, picture books, and nonfictionโthat is exactly what has happened. His work hasย been recognized for its excellence by the International Reading Association, Childrenโs Book Council, National Council of Social Studies, Society of School Librarians International,ย Oregon Library Association, and Oregon Reading Association,ย among others. Combined, his books have either won or been finalists for state childrenโs choice awardsย forty-three times.ย Life, it seems, is full of whoโd-a-thought-its.ย He lives and writes in Corvallis, Oregon, but launches mountaineering expeditions to his beloved Cascades on a regular basis.ย