About Me:

Approximately 99% of my brain power goes to thinking about family, friends, books (my own and other people’s), dark chocolate, and ice cream (current favorite flavor: coffee Oreo).

My Past Life:

I have a B.A. in psychology from Yale University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Georgetown University. Before becoming a full-time children’s book author, I taught high school, did research in a neurobiology lab, and worked as a science writer.   

My Official Author Bio:

Laura Gehl is the author of nearly two dozen popular picture books, board books, and early readers. Her books include One Big Pair of Underwear (Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title, International Literacy Association Honor Book, Booklist Books for Youth Editors’ Choice); the Peep and Egg series (Parents’ Choice Recommendation, Amazon Editors’ Pick, Children’s Choice Book Award Finalist); My Pillow Keeps Moving (Junior Library Guild selection, New York Public Library Best Books of 2018 selection); I Got a Chicken for My Birthday (Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2018 selection); and Baby Astronaut (A Mighty Girl Best Book of 2019 selection). Laura lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with her husband and four children. She is represented by Erzsi Deàk at Hen&ink Literary.

Some of my favorite books from when I was a kid:

  • A Birthday For Frances by Russell and Lillian Hoban
  • The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater
  • The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper
  • The Macdonald Hall series by Gordon Korman
  • The Anne of Green Gables books by L.M. Montgomery

Two Truths and a Lie:

  1. I have lived on three different continents.
  2. I have been chased by an angry elephant.
  3. I love to shop.

Answer:

The lie is #3. I loathe shopping (except for books and ice cream). The other two are true. I lived in Ecuador and Morocco, and the elephant chase took place in South Africa.

Other Things I like:

  • Walking anywhere (I walk very fast, which makes people think I know where I am going…but the truth is that I have a terrible sense of direction.)
  • Travel
  • Dolphins and whales
  • Biking
  • Lima beans (Really! They are delicious!)
  • Musicals
  • Pandas
  • Blue irises and pink tulips
  • Hiking
  • Square dancing
  • Classical music
  • Garlic
  • Skiing
  • Sing-a-longs
  • Swimming in lakes
  • Summer watermelon
  • Trees