Elvira Woodruff (born June 19, 1951) is an American children's writer[1][2][3][4] known for books that include elements of fantasy and history.[1]
Elvira Pirozzi was born in Somerville, New Jersey, and attended Adelphi University and Boston University for one year each as an English literature major.[1] She held diverse jobs including janitor, gardener, ice-cream truck driver, receptionist, window-dresser, store owner, and baker.[1][5] Her first marriage did not last, and she found herself divorced and raising two young sons.[5] She worked as a librarian in Easton, Pennsylvania and read stories to young children. She began writing.[5] By 1999, she had written twenty children's books.[5]
Kirkus Reviews described her book Small Beauties as a "little history in a lovely story,"[6] and her book The Memory Coat as an exploration of how Russian-Jewish families escaped oppression to come to America.[7] Publishers Weekly described her book The Summer I Shrunk My Grandmother as a deft blend of "magic and farce" and a "lighthearted romp about a somewhat misguided budding scientist".[8]