Paulette Bourgeois

Paulette Bourgeois (born July 20, 1951) is a Canadian writer best known as the creator of Franklin the Turtle, a bestselling picture-book character illustrated by Brenda Clark. Originally trained as an occupational therapist, Bourgeois worked as a journalist and freelance writer before publishing Franklin in the Dark (1986). Her Franklin books have sold millions of copies worldwide and expanded into television and other media. She has also written nonfiction and other children’s books and has been recognized for her contributions to Canadian children's literature.