Paola Opal is a Dutch-born Canadian graphic designer who not only writes and illustrates books for children but also designs them. Her first book, One Little Bug, was recognized by the Alcuin Society for excellence in design. Titles in her twelve-book Simply Small series have received accolades including a Kirkus Star and multiple listings on the Canadian Toy Testing Council’s great books for children. Her legal name is Paola Syme and she lives in Surrey, BC, Canada.