Clarissa Willis has a PhD in Early Childhood Special Education and has written 19 teacher resource books and worked on major curriculum projects. She is an internationally known speaker in the field of early childhood education and inclusion of children with special needs. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern Indiana. Currently, she is working on the next "Critter" book in the series. Her passion is helping teachers create inclusive environments for all children. She lives in Southern Indiana with her dog, Mr. Ebenezer.