Outdoor Explorers: Take A Hike

Carmen Crowe wrote her first book when she was four years old. It was about a crow named Carmen that had a fast red car. Carmen's mom still has the book. And Carmen's mom has all the real books that Carmen has written, too!

Guess what Carmen likes to do when she's not writing children's books? She's tinkering under the hood of a vintage Corvette. Guess what color. Carmen lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with a professional mechanic and a talking myna bird who says "Vroom vroom go faster!"

(psssst! Carmen Crowe is actually a pen name for the Cottage Door Press team who worked on this book.)

About Katie Melrose - I was born and raised along the Southern Californian coast where my love for art and reading was cultivated at a young age by my parents. I eventually graduated with a BFA in illustration from California State University of Fullerton and quickly delved into the book illustration world. Being able to freelance from my home studio, I have had the opportunities to work with clients on children's books, children's products and commissioned artworks. With a background in graphic design and hand lettering, I also create greeting cards, stationary products and enamel pins. I am extremely bookish and finish over 100 books a year (shout out to audio books) while I work. When the brush is not in hand, you can find me in the kitchen cooking up a storm and pretending I'm a chef, which is perhaps my second greatest passion in life next to illustration.

Cottage Door Press is an independent publisher of high-quality children's books. Our books are designed to spark curiosity in the littlest readers and fan the flames of lifelong learning. We understand children deserve our respect. That's why we always select artwork and stories that encourage caregivers to "read up" to their little ones--exploring interests together, learning together, and giving their young minds room to grow.

We also believe in creating stories that reflect the boundless possibilities of all children. We hope to create books that inspire little ones to connect, encourage them to dream, give them cause to celebrate, and allow them to see themselves beautifully reflected in the stories they read.

To bring these beautiful stories to life, our diverse and talented staff collaborates with authors and illustrators from all backgrounds and nationalities. We have also partnered with multicultural brands and literacy organizations to make sure our books reflect and reach as many little ones as possible.