Lucy Fitch Perkins

Trained at the Museum of Fine Arts School in Boston, Lucy Fitch Perkins built her career as both an illustrator and a writer for children. She was born in Indiana in 1865 and later became widely known for creating and illustrating her own books.

Her most famous work is the Twins series, which began with The Dutch Twins in 1911. These books followed child characters in different countries and historical settings, helping young readers imagine lives beyond their own while keeping the stories warm, accessible, and full of detail.

Perkins died in Pasadena, California, in 1937, but her books remained well known for generations. She is still remembered for pairing pictures and storytelling so naturally that her books feel inviting to read aloud as well as to explore alone.