Directed by Jane Anderson ; written by Ms. Anderson , based on the book '' The Prize Winner of Defiance , Ohio : How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less '' by Terry Ryan ; director of photography , Jonathan Freeman ; edited by Robert Dalva ; music by John Frizzell ; production designer , Edward T. McAvoy ; produced by Robert Zemeckis , Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey ; released by DreamWorks Pictures .