ABOUT

Cedar Pruitt is the author of children’s books and poems. Her debut book, FIRE FLIGHT: A Wildfire Escape, was named a Best Picture Book of 2025 by Bank Street College of Education. It explores the true story of an owl’s flight out of a California wildfire and through the window of a firefighting helicopter. The pilot took a picture that made headlines around the world (included in the book!) and facilitated conversation about the effects of climate change. Fire Flight was beautifully illustrated by Chiara Fedele, and published by Capstone Editions.

Her forthcoming picture book, WHAT MARCEL FOUND: The Incredible Discovery of the Lascaux Cave Paintings, is about four brave kids during WWII who took a walk in the woods of occupied France…and made an astounding discovery. When they shared what they found, it forever changed our view of humanity. Illustrated by the celebrated artist David Litchfield , it will be published by Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster on October 13, 2026.

Five more things:

1. As a child, she couldn’t wait to write children’s books, and began writing poems in second grade.

2. Her first job, at 16, was selling children’s books at Once Upon a Time Books and Toys in Rochester, NY, and her spare time was spent at poetry readings.

3. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from Harvard University and lives with her family in Massachusetts.

4. She advocates for inclusive communities, parks and urban green spaces.

5. Her happiest place is in the woods with her family.

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