Bunting went to school in Northern Ireland and grew up with story-telling: "There used to be Shanachies...the Shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I'm a bit of a Shanachie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen".[4]
Awards
Bunting won several awards for her books. She received the Rishabh award for outstanding inspiration. She received the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators in 1976 for One More Flight.[4] Other honors included the Southern California council on Literature for Children and Young People Award, PEN Los Angeles Center Literacy Award for Special Achievement in Children's Literature, and Southern California council on Literature for Children and Young People Award Excellence is a Series Award. Coffin on a Case won an Edgar Award for Best Juvenile from the Mystery Writers of America in 1993.[7]
Bunting also received the Heal the World award from a school. A young reader wrote Bunting to notify her of the achievement. She said, "It is among the most cherished honors I have ever received and the plaque hangs proudly above my desk."[4]
