On July 28, 1932, in the bustling city of Dayton, Ohio, Natalie Zane Moore made her grand entrance into the world. Her lineage, steeped in the rich history of the American frontier, dates back to the 1600s when her forebears first set foot in North America. Among these ancestors were the legendary Isaac Zane, known as the White Eagle of the Wyandottes, and the intrepid Zebulon Pike, famed for uncovering the majestic Pike's Peak. Others in her family tree were pioneers, establishing new settlements across West Virginia and Ohio.

Ralph Moore, Natalie's father, was immersed in the ever-changing realm of labor relations. However, the tumultuous era of the Great Depression, coupled with his wife Genevieve's aspirations for the family's advancement, led him to frequently change professions during the 1930s and 1940s. Natalie often reflected on how these frequent relocations shaped her identity and influenced her writing. Her tales frequently delve into the lives of young souls who find themselves adrift, far from the comfort of home.

In 1954, soon after earning her degree in art from Smith College, Natalie Moore's life took a new turn as she wed Samuel Babbitt, a man destined for a flourishing career as a university administrator. His roles spanned prestigious institutions such as Yale, Vanderbilt, Kirkland College (where he served as president), and Brown. Natalie embraced the bustling life of a university administrator's spouse, hosting lively gatherings and nurturing their three children. In 1964, feeling stifled and unfulfilled, she encountered Betty Friedan's transformative book, The Feminine Mystique, igniting her long-hidden passion for artistic creation.

Her venture into the world of professional publishing began with The Forty-Ninth Magician in 1966, a whimsical picture book adorned with her illustrations and brought to life with text by her husband. The book was warmly welcomed. This success spurred her to create two more illustrated works, Dick Foote and the Shark (1967) and Phoebe's Revolt (1968), before she embarked on crafting her debut children's novel, The Search for Delicious (1969). This novel garnered praise and was acclaimed by the New York Times as the best book for readers aged nine to twelve that year.

Natalie Babbitt has often expressed that she doesn't view herself as a "professional writer," in the sense that her writing isn’t driven by financial gain. This creative independence has permitted her the luxury of time and care in developing an exquisite collection of works for older children and young adults. Her novel Kneeknock Rise (1970) earned the prestigious Newbery Honor, while The Devil's Storybook (1974) was a contender for the National Book Award. Her beloved Tuck Everlasting received the Christopher Award in 1976, and in 1978, she was honored with the George G. Stone Award for her contributions to children's literature. Among her numerous creations, Herbert Rowbarge, published in 1982, stands as her personal favorite, followed by the enchanting sequel The Devil's Other Storybook in 1987. Today, Natalie and her husband enjoy life between their homes in Providence, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod, with the legacy of her books continuing to enchant readers as they remain in print.