Jon Scieszka began to train as a doctor but left to take a course in fiction writing at Columbia University and to become a teacher. He lives in Brooklyn and spends his time writing and talking about books. Lane Smith, an acclaimed author/illustrator, has achieved major success in his collaborations with Jon Scieszka. He provided the original concept and illustrations for the hit film JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH. He lives in New York.

“Clever and often droll, the verse ably juggles facts, meter, and rhyme schemes and usually reflects a student’s point of view: grossed out by the human body, bored by yet another year of dinosaur study, more concerned about writing down the right answer than getting at the truth….A beautifully designed book—intelligent, irreverent, inviting, and downright irresistible.”—Booklist, starred review