James, Helen Foster: - Helen Foster James is a former teacher and coordinator of library media services. She received her doctorate from Northern Arizona University. She has published a number of books with Sleeping Bear Press, including: Welcome to the World; Grandma's Christmas Wish; E is for Enchantment: A New Mexico Alphabet; S is for S'mores: A Camping Alphabet; Little California; Little America; Paper Son: Lee's Journey to America; Christmas With Auntie; and the whole Loves You! series. She enjoys taking long walks along the beach in San Diego.

Brett, Jeannie: - Jeannie enjoys visiting elementary schools around New England, sharing with both students and educators her original artwork, her love of the natural world and her excitement about the process of illustrating and writing children's books. Jeannie studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She lives in York, Maine, with her husband Greg, and their three children, Gregory, Sophie, and Lee. They share their home with a horse named Bailey, a wonderful Newfoundland, Cali, and two enormous cats (brothers) Macaroni and Tortellini.

Monroe, Michael Glenn: -

Award-winning wildlife artist Michael Glenn Monroe began his career at a very young age. A self-taught painter, Michael spends his time meticulously honing his craft, often teaching himself many new and unique techniques to add to his paintings.

Michael began his publishing career with Sleeping Bear Press in 1999 when both Buzzy the Bumblebee and M is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet were released. His knowledge and experience with landscapes and wildlife were a perfect match for Mitten, as well as subsequent state alphabet titles (S is for Sunshine: A Florida Alphabet and L is for Last Frontier: An Alaska Alphabet).

Michael and his wife, Colleen, share a home in Brighton, Michigan, with their three children, twins Matthew and Natalie and John, born in May 2001.

Urban, Helle: -

Helle Urban, a Parker, Colorado, resident, has been an illustrator for more than 20 years. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Helle has illustrated numerous children's books, painted portraits of families and was a background artist in the animation industry. Helle's work has also been displayed in numerous galleries.