Lily Munsell Ritchie

Lily Munsell Ritchie was an American writer remembered for her children's fiction, especially the Chicken Little Jane series. Her stories center on lively young characters and the pleasures and troubles of ordinary life, giving them an easy charm that still feels inviting.

Available records identify her as Mary Lily Munsell Ritchie, born in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1867. She later became associated with Utah, and records place her burial in Salt Lake City after her death in April 1943.

Her best-known books include Chicken Little Jane and Chicken Little Jane on the Big John. Readers who enjoy classic children's books often come to her work for its bright energy, gentle humor, and vivid picture of childhood in another era.