Betsy James writes both picture books and novels and she illustrates too. Her own books include What's That Room For?, Natalie Underneath, The Red Cloak (Chronicle), Mary Anne (Dutton, 1994). She also illustrated Fireplug Is First Base by P.J. Peterson, No More Animals! by Lucia Monfried and the Green Calendar (Dutton). She captures children in very realistic and typical situations with a warm and witty style. Betsy continued her science stories with Tadpoles! (Dutton, 1999). Betsy also wrote Long Night Dance and Dark Heart and the sequel Listening at the Gate, young adult fantasies (Atheneum, 2006).