PATRICIA C. McKISSACK is the author of the Caldecott Honor Book Mirandy and Brother Wind and the Newbery Honor Book The Dark-Thirty . She and her husband, Fred, have written over a hundred books about the African American experience. She has also received the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children's books and the Virginia Hamilton Award. To get a feel for the lives of the quilters she describes in this book, Pat traveled to Gee's Bend, Alabama, where she spent several days with the quilt makers and even got a quilting lesson.   COZBI A. CABRERA is the illustrator of the picture books Thanks a Million and Beauty, Her Basket . She is also recognized for her handmade textile work, which includes quilts and clothing.

Her collectible cloth dolls ( muecas ) received national attention when they were featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Martha Stewart Show. You can visit her website at cozbi.com.