Pat Cummings

Patricia Marie Cummings (born November 9, 1950) is an American writer and illustrator of children's books, creator of over 40 titles including notable works like My Mama Needs Me, Just Us Women, C.L.O.U.D.S. and Trace. She won the Coretta Scott King Award for illustrations in My Mama Needs Me (1984) and received multiple honors, along with the NAACP Image Award for Our Children Can Soar; she has also taught children's book illustration at Pratt Institute and Parsons, and served in leadership roles in organizations like the Authors Guild and SCBWI.