Ellen Labrecque

Ellen Labrecque is an American children’s author and freelance writer who has written more than 100 nonfiction books for young readers, with subjects ranging from ancient civilizations and outer space to weather and wildlife. She is especially known for her biographies in the New York Times–bestselling Who Was? and related Who HQ series, including Who Was Kobe Bryant?, as well as titles on figures such as Princess Diana, Frank Sinatra, David Beckham, Henry VIII, and other notable athletes, leaders, and entertainers. In addition to her biography work, she has authored science and geography titles such as Day and Night in the Desert, The Milky Way and Other Galaxies, and Figure Skating, and co-authors a middle-grade nonfiction series about “barrier breakers and history makers” in sports, entertainment, and science.

A former senior editor and writer for Sports Illustrated for Kids, Labrecque has profiled professional athletes and covered a wide variety of sporting events. She holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Ursinus College and an M.Ed. in Sports Management from Temple University. A onetime college basketball and lacrosse standout, she now lives and writes in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with her family and dog Oscar.