Author and illustrator Bruce Smolen has illustrated and written 8 children’s books.

Born and raised in Southern California, Bruce spent his early years in a crowded tiny pink house, raised by very loving parents (he's the youngest of 6 children). His family spent most of their time together - all holidays were a huge deal and family dinners were crowded, in the best way. The family was fortunate to have a big back yard, pets, and neighbors who raised both horses and chickens! He spent hot summers running through sprinklers, and hot winters sweating in his new Christmas sweater (he was in Southern California, after all). This explains why Bruce gets mesmerized whenever he sees falling snow, he never had the opportunity to play in it when he was growing up! Always writing, he recently started providing the illustrations for his books as well. Bruce feels the story is the most important things in his books, which feature characters who become enlightened, kind and caring, or empowered. He strives to create books that are fun for both children and adults to read.