Florence Parry Heide (February 27, 1919 – October 23, 2011) was a bestselling American children's writer.
Born in Pittsburgh, Heide spent most of her childhood in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
After two years of studying at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, she transferred to UCLA, graduating in 1939.
Under the pen name Alex B. Allen, Heide and at least two co-authors contributed texts to the illustrated Springboard sports series published by Albert Whitman of Chicago.
Hundreds of children with their bikes decorated would gather outside her home and ride twice around her block to the beat of a drum.