People like Elvira Woodruff

Elvira Woodruff (born June 19, 1951) is an American children's writer known for books that include elements of fantasy and history.

Elvira Woodruff was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, and attended Adelphi University and Boston University for one year each as an English literature major. She held diverse jobs including janitor, gardener, ice-cream truck driver, receptionist, window-dresser, store owner, and baker. Her first marriage did not last, and she found herself divorced and raising two young sons. She worked as a librarian in Easton, Pennsylvania and read stories to young children. She began writing. By 1999, she had written twenty children's books.

Kirkus Reviews described her book Small Beauties as a "little history in a lovely story," and her book The Memory Coat as an exploration of how Russian-Jewish families escaped oppression to come to America. Publishers Weekly described her book The Summer I Shrunk My Grandmother as a deft blend of "magic and farce" and a "lighthearted romp about a somewhat misguided budding scientist".