Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton has written a number of books for children and serves as the Ohio regional adviser for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She and her husband and children live in Medina, Ohio. Layne Johnson is an illustrator of numerous award-winning and critically acclaimed books for children. He is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. He lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife, son, and two cats. As a former chairman of the Highlights Scholarship Committee and as a trustee of the Highlights for Children Foundation, Laurie has been closely involved with the Writers Workshop for the past four years. As the Ohio regional adviser for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators since 1989, she brings with her much experience in working with both authors and young readers. She has traveled nationwide to speak at various conferences, including those of the International Reading Association, the Society of Developmental Education, and the Ohio State Liberty System.

With fifteen years of teaching experience and as the owner and operator of the Roots 'n' Wings Ranch, Laurie has learned plenty about working with children. She likes to write for them as well, and Pelican has published several of her children's books, including Why Cowboys need a Brand and Why Cowboys Sleep with Their Boots On. This summer, Pelican will also publish Laurie's hardback picture book Nana's Rice Pie. Laurie has written a new twelve-part series called The Little Believer, which is being published by Frank Schafer. Modern Curriculum Press bought six of her articles for use in an anthology, and her article "Dancing Wheels" was published in Highlights. Laurie lives in Medina, Ohio with her husband and children. Layne Johnson has created art for more than twenty books for children, including the Western Heritage Award winning Off Like the Wind, The First Ride of the Pony Express (by Michael P. Spradlin) and the acclaimed Farmer George Plants a Nation (by Peggy Thomas), a picture book biography of George Washington's life as a farmer, inventor, and scientist.

Mr. Johnson speaks frequently in schools and libraries and enjoys traveling to historic sites. He lives in Texas with his wife. You can visithim on the web at: www.laynejohnson.com.