Loewen, Nancy: - Nancy Loewen grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, surrounded by library books and cats. She's published more than 140 books for children and young adults. The LAST Day of Kindergarten and Four to the Pole (co-authored with polar explorer Ann Bancroft) were Minnesota Book Award finalists. Her Writer's Toolbox series received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers. Nancy has also received awards from The American Library Association, the New York Public Library, and the Society of School Librarians International. Nancy lives in St. Paul and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. She likes to read, cook, take long walks, and photograph oddities from thrift stores. Please visit her website at nancyloewen.net.

Avakyan, Tatevik: - Tatevik Avakyan has illustrated many individual books and series titles for children and tweens which, as it turns out, are her absolute favorite subjects! She always loved drawing as a child and knew she wanted to be an illustrator as early as her teens. She later earned her degree from California State University of Northridge. Tatevik currently lives and works in Southern California with her husband and son. In addition to making fun, whimsical characters come to life, Tatevik likes to read and travel with her family.