John Cech is a professor of English at the University of Florida where he is the Director of the Center for Children's Literature and Culture. He was the creator, producer, and host of the daily public radio program "Recess!" about the cultures of childhood. He has served as the President of the Children's Literature Association and received the Anne Devereaux Jordan Award for his contributions to children's literature. John has written seven books in the Classic Fairy Tale Collection for Sterling, in addition to retellings of Aesop's Fables , illustrated by Martin Jarrie, and The Nutcracker , illustrated by Eric Puybaret. John lives in Gainesville, FL, with his wife, Eve. Kirill Chelushkin was born in Moscow, Russia, where he currently resides. His work has been displayed in exhibitions around the world.