Marcus Pfister was born in Bern, Switzerland. After studying at art school in Bern, he trained as a graphic artist. His first picture book was published by NordSüd in 1986, but his breakthrough as author and illustrator came in 1992 with the publication of The Rainbow Fish . Since then he has published more than 60 books, which have been translated into about 65 languages and have won many international awards. He lives with his family in Bern. J. Alison James has been writing and translating books for children since 1990, when her first novel came out to awards and rave reviews. Since then, she has published a novel, three picture books, and translated over 150 books for children.

She has lived around the world, including in Japan, Norway, Germany, Sweden, Taiwan, and Pakistan. Her graduate degree is in Children's Literature, and she completed the Professional Program in Screenwriting from UCLA. Alison lives with her musical family in northern Vermont.