Alma Flor Ada was born in Camaguey, Cuba. She has studied and taught in Spain, Peru, and the United States. Her children's books have been published in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Spain, and the United Sates. A recipient of the Marta Salotti Gold Medal (Argentina) and the Christopher Award (United States), Alma Flor Ada has four children and three grandchildren. She lives in San Francisco, from where she embarks on many trips to places all over the world to look for the nature that she loves.