Molly Cranch is an illustrator, artist, picture book creator, and educator based in Chicago, Illinois. She received a BFA in Painting from Washington University in St. Louis, a K–12 certification in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and an MA in Illustration from Falmouth University.

Molly has taught art in public and private schools in Chicago and Spain, with a focus on social-emotional learning, arts integration, and literacy. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes hands-on learning and the belief that every child is creative and capable of artistic growth. Her artwork has been exhibited nationally, including at the Illinois State Museum, The Autry Museum, Westmoreland Museum of Art, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

Her debut picture book, Hide-and-Seek (Clavis, 2024), combines science, math, and literacy concepts and was selected for the Illinois Reads program by the Illinois Reading Council.

Molly's current creative practice centers on mixed media drawing, watercolor sketchbooks, and fine art inspired by close observation of the natural world. Through expressive mark-making and layered materials, she explores themes of connection, wonder, and the relationship between people and nature.