Toni Buzzeo is a New York Times bestselling children's author. She has published twenty-nine picture books for kids as well as eleven books for teachers and librarians. A former librarian and college and high school writing teacher, Toni and her books have won many awards, including a Caldecott Honor for One Cool Friend , illustrated by David Small. Her fictional human and animal characters echo children's experiences in a variety of ways. Her nonfiction topics range from inspiring biographies of women scientists to board books about vehicles and transportation. Endlessly enthusiastic, Toni draws on her career experiences as an elementary school librarian in crafting her books and speaking with audiences of children in schools and libraries. Toni lives in Arlington, Massachusetts. Joe Cepeda received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Long Beach, and also studied Engineering at Cornell University.
He is a fine artist, as well as an illustrator of more than thirty-five book jackets and picture books, which have received many honors including Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, Parenting Magazine's Reading Magic Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, Texas Library Association 2x2 Reading List, ALA Notable Books, and Child Magazine's Best Book of the Year. Joe illustrated Hey, Hey Hay! by Christy Mihaly, ¡Vamonos! Let's Go! by Rene Colato Lainez,and Swing Sisters by Karen Deans. He both wrote and illustrated the I Like to Read books-- Up, I Dig, I See, and I Hop. I Hop received a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor, given to the most distinguished books for beginning readers. Joe received an American Library Association Pura Belpré Honor (for outstanding books that celebrate the Latino cultural experience) and the Recognition of Merit Award from the George G. Stone Center for Children's Books. He lives in Claremont, California.