Iona Opie was a British folklorist and children's literature scholar, born on December 21, 1912, and known for her extensive research on children's games, rhymes, and folklore. She co-authored several influential books with her husband, Peter Opie, including The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren, which documented the rich traditions of children's play and oral culture. Opie's work significantly contributed to the understanding of how children create and share their own cultural expressions. Her dedication to preserving these traditions has made her a key figure in the study of folklore and children's literature, influencing both academics and educators in the field.