Kathy-jo Wargin is the author of more than 45 books and has earned national acclaim through award-winning children's classics such as Michigan's official state book, The Legend of Sleeping Bear, Children's Choice Award winner The Legend of the Loon, The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell, and many others. Kathy-jo enjoys writing about nature, folklore, and its effect on all our lives. She is a frequent guest speaker and presenter for associations, school districts, and conferences throughout the country. She lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Kathy O'Malley knew she wanted to be an artist from the age of six. Kathy graduated from Chicago's Columbia College, and has illustrated more than 40 children's books. Her work can also be found on greeting cards, gift bags, limited-edition collectibles, and decorative home products. She works from her home studio in Glenview, Illinois overlooking her perennial gardens, watched by her two loyal art critics, her spoiled standard poodles.