Ogden Nash (1902-1971) was an American poet famed for his unconventional and inventive wordplay. He published more than two dozen books of poetry, and at the time of his death, The New York Times called him "the country's best-known producer of humorous poetry.

C. F. Payne is an American artist whose work has appeared in numerous picture books and such periodicals as TIME and Sports Illustrated. He has painted commissioned portraits of many politicians, and his artwork has earned such honors as the 2003 Book Illustration Award.