Born in Toronto in 1957, Barbara Reid graduated from the Ontario College of Art in 1980. Her plasticine illustrations for children's books have won many awards in Canada and are published throughout the world. Reid currently divides her time between writing and illustrating for children. Barbara was a 2010-2011 Writer-in-resedence with the TDSB. The book Gifts, written by Jo Ellen Bogart and illustrated by Barbara was the 2011 Canadian Children's Book Centre TD Grade One Book Giveaway title; over 250,000 copes given to each grade one student in Canada. Her most recent book, Picture a Tree is a Toronto Public Library First and Best selection. She lives in Toronto with her family.