Hi, I’m Cinda Bauman—an author and illustrator based in Central Illinois, about two and a half hours south of Chicago. After retiring from the University of Illinois in 2020, I finally found the time to fully explore my creativity, and I’ve been making stories and art ever since.
My journey began in high school, where I was torn between my love for Art and Child Development. A class that placed me in a daycare tipped the scales toward working with children—but my passion for visual storytelling never went away. Years of reading picture books aloud sparked a lasting love for children’s literature and made me wonder what might have happened if I’d followed the art path sooner.
Now, I combine both passions. I write and illustrate children’s stories, using cut paper sculpture to create colorful, lively characters. I also enjoy painting in oil and acrylic.
Since retiring, my proudest achievement has been completing my middle-grade book series, Hope and Horses, published by Editor-911 Books. Books 1 and 2—Shuffle and Fetch—are available now, and Book 3, Gallop, will be released in 2025. I can’t wait to share it with readers!
At home, I share life with my husband of 35+ years, our wonderful daughter, and two lovable shih-tzu poos who often inspire a character or two.
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