LAURIE FRIEDMAN grew up in the Deep South, and, like April Sinclair, was awestruck the first time she saw snow-covered mountains. But that’s not the only thing she and April have in common. She too had a hard time learning to ski, and though she finally figured out how to get down the mountain without too many falls, she decided she prefers spending her time in a warmer climate. Ms. Friedman lives with her family in sunny Miami, just minutes away from the beach. She is the author of the Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair series as well as the popular Mallory series and many picture books.