Molly Whitney

Molly grew up in Auburn, Alabama. She is a graduate of Auburn University. She was a teacher, a real estate agent and in Human Resources before she followed her calling as an artist, taking classes at Houston's Glassell School, an arm of the Museum of Fine Arts. She has exhibited her watercolors in solo and group exhibitions.

Gary, born in Denver, Colorado, received a BFA in Interior Design and an MS in Interior Architecture from Pratt Institute. His award-winning architecture and design portfolio includes projects for Disney World, the American Club of Hong Kong and the Dubai Hyatt Regency.

Their common interest in art and architecture came together when they built a miniature twig house, perfectly sized for fairies and trolls. As the house evolved, and at the urging of their friends, the Whitneys started creating and illustrating the story the house inspired in them. The characters began to introduce themselves to Molly and Gary, sometimes even in dreams, and take their places among the pages. Tyson, the irresistible troll, his embittered father, the jolly pub owners Mr. and Mrs. Higbee, the exquisite fairy Amelia, and others appeared as Tyson struggled to overcome his miserable beginnings in a cave and make a life for himself. As he encountered obstacle after obstacle such as illiteracy, bullying, and prejudice, he took shelter in thoughts of a home of his own, which he named Thistle Downe. Thoughts of the house sustained him as he pursued his goals, involving education, financial success, and sticky toffee pudding. On November 12, 2016 the Whitneys received the Bronze Medal for Best First Book at the Moonbeam Children's Books Awards in Traverse City, Michigan.

The actual Thistle Downe, given its name by Tyson, has a place of honor in the Whitneys' home in Houston, where it delights a stream of visitors of all ages.