Gallegos, Lauren: - Lauren Gallegos earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Cal State Fullerton in 2009 and has been illustrating ever since. 15 years in and she has illustrated over 30 books including several series, board books, historical fiction, biographies, licensed characters, and educational. Lauren also has extensive experience designing children's books from cover to cover including title design, interior layout, and prepping files for print.When it comes to stories, Lauren has always loved books that warm the heart and touch the soul; timeless narratives that speak to your inner child. As a young girl she loved to pour over illustrations that were rich and full. Lauren still loves books that take you to mysterious places and let your imagination run wild with possibilities. Her biggest illustration influences are Chris Van Allsburg, Loren Long, Chris Sheban, Arthur Rackham, and Scott Gustafson to name only a few, but she continues to be inspired by many new and current illustrators as well.Lauren is always looking for opportunities to illustrate great stories with the desire to see how her work will impact the young minds of our future. She is a proud member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in Southern California with her husband and 2 young children where she loves to tend to her edible and flower garden, play piano, and hike in the California mountains.

Thayer, Robert Scott: - Children's author Robert Scott Thayer, is also a recording artist who writes and sings in the pop, jazz, and children's genres. Robert has won several International Songwriting Awards including those from Billboard. His children's tune, Kobee's Song, produced by Grammy winner Jim Cravero, is fun, upbeat, and has a reggae groove. Kids love it! It's about the clever marine mammal protagonist wearing a purple cap and a yellow jersey, KOBEE MANATEE(R), and his ocean adventures in Thayer's award-winning children's educational picture book series. Thayer said, "What Walt Disney's creativity and branding is doing with a mouse, I intend to do with a manatee." In his third installment, Kobee Manatee(R) Shipwreck Sea Friends, Robert collaborated with Fabien Cousteau, oldest grandson of legendary ocean pioneer, Jacques Cousteau. In Thayer's fourth installment, Kobee Manatee(R) Climate Change and The Great Blue Hole Hazard, the focus is on "climate change" and "plastic pollution," with Dr. Tracy Fanara, a popular research scientist also known as "inspector planet." Titles are targeted to K-3. Ever since he was young, Thayer had a passion for manatees, weather, and ocean life. Robert earned a degree from Temple University in Philadelphia and also worked as a copywriter. He is a member of IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association), SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), the Authors Guild, BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.), and the Save the Manatee Club in Florida. Robert currently resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Learn more about Robert Scott Thayer at ... https: //robertscottthayer.com https: //www.KobeeManatee.com