Eileen Spinelli is the author of many picture books and poetry collections, including A Big Boy Now, Hug a Bug, and the bestselling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, among others. When she writes a story, she has an instant audience: her twenty-five grandchildren and husband, Jerry (also a writer). Aside from story making, Eileen teaches creative writing and poetry. The Spinellis live in Media, Pennsylvania.

Maryann Cocca-Leffler is thrilled that the Tappletons are back! She illustrated the very first version of Thanksgiving at the Tappletons' in 1982 as a new illustrator fresh out of art school, and then reillustrated it in 1992. Since then, Maryann has written and illustrated over fifty children's books, including Rain Brings Frogs, A Vacation for Pooch, and Janine. Maryann lives and works in New Hampshire.