Mary Amato

About the Artist

Mary Amato is the author of over 25 books for children and young adults. Her work for adults also includes poems, plays, essays, and short fiction. Amato's fiction has been translated into foreign languages, optioned for television, and produced onstage. She teaches workshops in creative writing, songwriting, and the creative process around the country and is a frequent presenter in Maryland schools. She is a former classroom teacher and also teaches a weekly online class for adults and teens who are serious about writing. As co-founder of Firefly Shadow Theater, she writes, directs, and constructs paper shadow puppetry projects that become educational and entertaining videos. Amato also enjoys facilitating the creative process for others and is the founder of the HIVE and the co-founder of the Creative Momentum Collective, both of which provide opportunities for artists of different disciplines to share energy.