Nancy Rust is passionate about books and believes well-chosen words can empower young people and make the world a better place. After nearly three decades of teaching reading, writing, and literature, she began her career as an author. She majored in English at Western Kentucky University and got Master of Arts and Education Specialist degrees from Louisiana State University. She and her husband live near Lafayette, Louisiana. Carol Stubbs grew up with a love of reading and writing that was encouraged by her family. Her writing career has included being a journalist, freelance writer, English teacher, and author. She is also a potter and enjoys creating designs inspired by Louisiana swamps and bayous. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University and a Masters in Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She is a member of the Louisiana Crafts Guild and the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in south Louisiana with her husband and two cats. Melissa Vandiver is a New Orleans-based artist and illustrator, specializing in painting and digital art. She studied architecture at Clemson University, and shortly after moved to New Orleans to do Hurricane Katrina relief work. After nearly a decade in architecture-related jobs, she decided to pursue her true passion: art. Her artistic mission is simple: to create images that evoke joy. She accomplishes this in part through picture books, comic strips, and whimsical portraits of animals in costume.