Barbara Robinson was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on October 24, 1927. She graduated from Allegheny College in 1948. She wrote more than 40 short stories for newspapers and magazines, including McCall's and Ladies' Home Journal. She published her first children's book, Across from Indian Shore, in 1962. Her most popular work, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, was published in 1972. She adapted the book for both the stage and for television in the 1980s. Her other works include The Best School Year Ever, The Best Halloween Ever, and Temporary Times, Temporary Places. She died on July 9, 2013 at the age of 85.