Born in Scotland, John Muir (1838-1914) immigrated to the United States in 1849. His extensive travels eventually led him to California, where he fell in love with the Yosemite Valley and also found a family with wife Louisa Strentzel and their two daughters. Muir helped found the Sierra Club in 1892 and penned many letters, essays, and books. Italian artist Giovanni Manna has created illustrations for more than 80 children's books. His work has been featured in exhibitions throughout Italy and internationally. A longtime instructor of watercolor, he was awarded the Andersen Prize for best Italian illustrator in 2003.