Sybilla Cook was born in Auburn, New York, and lived in Illinois for twenty-five years before moving to Oregon. Once in Oregon, her love for the outdoors resurfaced, and she began bicycling, hiking, and walking. She has frequently walked the Portland Marathon. She is a former school library media specialist and consultant for schools in Illinois and Oregon, and is the author of many books and articles. She is now working on a biography of children's book illustrators, Berta and Elmer Hader, for the nonprofit Hader Connection.