AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR INFO

Biography

Cassandra was born and raised in Massachusetts, where she spent her childhood reading comic books, playing action figures, drawing superheroes, and participating in all things nerdy (before that became cool).

She graduated magna cum laude from Brandeis University, where she co-founded the Brandeis Comic Book Club. After college she moved to Los Angeles, where she worked in film and television. Over the course of her life, Cassandra has been many things — a hand model, a wrestler, a manatee rescuer, an actor, and a mystic wood elf — but her favorite so far has been an author/illustrator.

Cassandra’s published books include This Is a Sea Cow (Albert Whitman, 2019) and This Is a Seahorse (2020), which received multiple starred reviews and won an ILA Children’s and Young Adult Book Award.

Cassandra’s debut middle grade graphic novel, Story Spinners: A Sisterly Tale of Danger, A Princess, and her Crew of Lady Pirates (Aladdin, S&S) and her next picture book, Grayson Squirrel Loses It! (Random House) come out in 2025.

BOOK COVERS

AWARDS

This Is a Seahorse - 2021 ILA Children’s and Young Adult Book Award WINNER

REVIEWS FOR This Is a Seahorse

**STARRED REVIEW** from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL! Federman (This Is a Sea Cow) has penned another creative and thoroughly delightful tale that will be an instant hit with kids and their parents. The digitally collaged art is eye-catching and wonderfully done... A definite purchase for all collections; children will roar at the interactions between the seahorse and Cassandra. - SLJ

**STARRED REVIEW!** “What a great concept for a book–take a class project and turn it into a super cute story about the seahorse… This book would be perfect for children ages three and older, especially if they are interested in sea creatures” - Librarians at Youth Services Book Review

Wonderfully silly fun…“The DADDIES GIVE BIRTH!” The humor in this spread is especially appealing—the proud daddy’s pouch is depicted as a strapped-on tummy pack, and all his fry have names readers or their classmates might share. Finally, the writer explains why she likes seahorses. They’re “WEIRD,” and “BEING WEIRD IS COOL.” - Kirkus

REVIEWS FOR This Is a Sea Cow

"This engaging account is disguised as a homework assignment on marine mammals. An appealing first look." — Kirkus Reviews

"This Is a Sea Cow will have kids laughing out loud at story time. Federman knows how to quickly pull her readers into this funny and informative story. The book’s colorful, kid-like artwork cleverly incorporates a variety of features guaranteed to keep a child’s interest. The twist at the end will charm children. Federman’s adept use of kid-friendly prose in this light-hearted look at the much-loved manatee will make this a regularly requested read for animal lovers.” — Ronna Mandel, Good Reads with Ronna