The author of The Wishing Tree, Mary Redman has experienced many joys and challenges as a military wife and mother over the past 20 years. She has managed pack-outs, given birth, visited emergency rooms, heralded holidays, bid farewell to grandparents, and attended numerous school events while her husband was deployed.

Military life gave Mary many unexpected opportunities, from attending the running of the bulls in Spain to teaching English in Japan and exploring American history with her family in Virginia.

Mary's experience with military deployments encouraged her to write The Wishing Tree, a picture book of hope.

She lives on Long Island with her husband and three boys, where she spends much of her time attending soccer games.