Joanna Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey on August 11, 1944. She attended the University of Massachusetts, Indiana University, and City College of New York where she earned a degree in Psychology. Ms. Cole has worked as an elementary school teacher, a librarian, and a childrens book editor. As a child, she loved science and explaining things and this is why she started writing childrens books. She writes fiction and non-fiction titles. Her most well-known series are the Magic School Bus and the Body. Coles books have received a number of honors. A Horses Body and A Snakes Body were both named Outstanding Science Trade Books for children by the joint committee of the National Science Teachers Association and the Childrens Book Council. In 1982, A Snakes Body was named a Childrens Choice Book by the joint committee of the International Reading Association and the Childrens Book Council. Both A Cats Body and A Birds Body were Junior Literary Guild selections. In 1991, she was awarded the Washington Post/Childrens Book Guild Nonfiction award. She currently resides in Connecticut.