Lucy Fitch Perkins

Born in 1865 in the United States, she became a prolific children's author and illustrator whose work reached generations of young readers. She is especially remembered for the Twins books, a long-running series that followed child characters from different parts of the world and invited readers into their homes, schools, and traditions.

She studied art and built a career that drew on both writing and illustration, an unusual and appealing combination that gave her books a distinctive warmth. Her husband was architect Dwight H. Perkins, and together they were part of Chicago's creative and civic life.

Her work reflects an early twentieth-century interest in introducing children to the wider world through story. While some details in older books can feel dated now, her best-known titles remain notable for their curiosity, accessibility, and the way they tried to spark empathy across cultures.