SHANNON HALE started writing books at age ten and never stopped, eventually earning an MFA in Creative Writing. After nineteen years of writing she published her first book — The Goose Girl — which turned into her award-winning Books of Bayern series. She is now a New York Times best-selling author of over thirty children's and young adult books, including numerous award-winners.

LEUYEN PHAM is the award-winning and critically acclaimed illustrator of more than one hundred books for children. LeUyen (pronounced Lay-Win) is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Julianne Moore’s picture book series, Freckleface Strawberry, the illustrator of God’s Dream  by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Vampirina Ballerina  picture book series by Anne Marie Pace, and much more! Her recent books include Love is Powerful  by Heather Brewer, and the Caldecott Honor Book  Bear Came Along  by Richard Morris. 

"“Why do I make books? That’s easy. A book sits with you in your secret corner or in your favorite chair on a rainy day, and whispers in your ear, “You’re okay, I’m here. Let me tell you a story…” It’s like a hug made solid. That’s what I do. I make hugs for a living.”" - LeUyen Pham