Kate Norland grew up in Bend, Oregon, along with illustrator, Christin Quissell. She and her husband, Erik, moved to Wenatchee in 2003 and have raised 4 kids (and 2 dogs) here, enjoying all of the places and activities featured in this book. This first published work was inspired by a book she brought home for her kids to tell them about her trip to Boston. Unlike other souvenir children's books, this one had an actual story line, which made it entertaining, as well as informative. With that goal in mind, Norland began to brainstorm how she might capture her children's home town in such a way that readers (and listeners) would want to pick it up again and again. The result was Belle's Wenatchee Blossom.
Norland is a licensed physical therapist. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, sculpting, traveling, laughing with her adult children, and assisting her husband with home renovations. Norland is currently working on the next book in her souvenir story series about Leavenworth, Washington.
