Viola Wilson Schillo, known to her friends and family as "Tiny," was born and grew up on a farm near the western North Dakota town of Beach. She was deaf until the 5th grade.

Tiny received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and went on to work for over 42 years in the nursing profession, as Director of the School of Nursing, as an Intensive Care Nurse, and as a Cardiac Nurse. She reared two sons and now is blessed with three grandsons. Her favorite thing to do is teach Bible stories to them and other children willing to learn of God's love for us all. She makes her home in Billings, Montana.

The beginning of her journey as a writer takes place when she received a little duckling around Easter time. Most of the stories in her debut book for children are based on true experience.