Esther Harder

Esther Harder grew up in a family that threw their doors wide open to the world. There were many goings-out and comings-in, many moving boxes, suitcases, and passport stamps. But no matter where her family was living —on the prairies of Southwest Minnesota or in a village in Burkina Faso—Esther grew to expect and welcome guests around the kitchen table, guests whose stories, words, or views she didn't always understand at first telling. In waiting for translations or explanations, Esther learned that her mother tongue was not the only mother tongue, and that her family's views were not the only way to look at the world. Most importantly, Esther grew to be more comfortable with living an untranslated life.

​

Esther has packed her share of moving boxes as an adult, calling Virginia, Uganda, Rwanda, and Pennsylvania home. She currently resides in Houston, Texas, with her husband and son, where their farmhouse style kitchen table always has room for more guests. 

​

Esther holds an MFA in Children's Writing from Chatham University.