Teri Yanovitch

Teri Yanovitch is an author and illustrator of numerous award-winning children's books. She grew up in a rural town in western Pennsylvania, where she spent her early years honing her skills in writing and drawing. In 1984, after graduating from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, she moved to New York City and pursued a career in animation. After a few years in the industry, Teri decided to focus on writing and illustrating books. Her books often feature whimsical characters, animals, and nature-inspired scenes, in addition to her strong message of tolerance and inclusivity.

Her first published book was The Outside Circle, which she released in 2017. The story follows a group of five friends who live in a small town but are excluded from enjoying the same opportunities as the other children. After a come-to-Jesus moment, they set out to make the world a better place. By learning to trust each other and work together, they show that it is possible to overcome even the greatest of obstacles. The Outside Circle won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction and Poetry and the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award.

The second book that Yanovitch wrote and illustrated was I Know Who You Are—A Mystery of Identity. This book was published in 2018 and follows the journey of a young boy searching for his identity. As he embarks on a series of adventures, he discovers that different cultures and traditions can become a part of him, as opposed to something opposing him. He eventually discovers his true identity by looking past his conventional labels. Like her first book, I Know Who You Are was praised by critics and won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award.

In 2020, Yanovitch released her third book, Outside and Within: A Novel in Verse. Again, the story focuses on tolerance and inclusivity, but this time it is set in an unspecified future. Two protagonists, each with a unique background, must find common ground and acceptance despite their differences. With complex characters and an empowering message, this book was well-received and made it onto the American Library Association's Outstanding List.

Teri Yanovitch is active in helping children imagine, explore, and celebrate what makes them unique. When she isn't writing or illustrating, she enjoys spending time with family, gardening and exploring nature, and working with animal shelters. In addition, she works with literacy programs and continues to tour schools, libraries, and bookstores in her mission to inspire children to believe in themselves.

Teri Yanovitch is an inspiring author and illustrator whose work focuses on empowering children to embrace tolerance and inclusivity. Her whimsical stories feature complex characters who help to break down cultural barriers. She has won numerous awards for her books and continues to tour schools, libraries, and bookstores. With her strong message, Yanovitch is inspiring a new generation of readers and showing them the beauty of diversity and acceptance.