Kirby Larson , the acclaimed author of the 2007 Newbery Honor Book, Hattie Big Sky , and loves collaborations, including writing Gut Reaction with her daughter Quinn Wyatt. Kirby's latest title is Shermy and Shake: The Not-So-Bossy Best Friend. 23 Dogs and 1 Cat is her third with Mary Nethery; their previous award-winning collaborations include Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival and Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle . www.kirbylarson.com Mary Nethery is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of picture books including the cozy read-along Hannah and Jack and shelf-favorite collaborations with Kirby Larson. For these works together, Mary and Kirby received the ASPCA Children's Book Award, The Christopher Medal, a JLG Award and the National Parenting Publication Gold Award. Mary also has an extensive background in teaching, curriculum design and staff development.

She currently lives in Richmond, Virginia with her professor son nearby and her snuggly kitties Ruby Chanel and Remy Moss! Thai My Phuong is a Vietnamese illustrator passionate about visual storytelling. With a BFA in Interior Design and an MA in Sequential Art/Illustration, she has worked with international publishers and taught illustration classes. Phuong currently lives in Chicago with her husband and a cat. Visit her work at thaiphuong.net.