Danette Vigilante grew up in Red Hook Public Housing in Brooklyn, New York, and continues to call NYC home, where she lives with her family and her energetic pup, Juniper. Danette is the author of TIA LUGO SPEAKS NO EVIL, which has earned several accolades, including a Moonbeam Children's Book Award Gold Medal, a Bronze Medal at The Independent Publisher Book Awards for multicultural fiction (JUV/YA), and an Honorable Mention at the International Latino Book Awards. Her other works include THE TROUBLE WITH HALF A MOON, a Sunshine State Young Readers Award nominee, and SAVING BABY DOE, named to the New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing list. A passionate advocate for literacy, Danette fosters a love of books in her community by maintaining a Little Free Library on her front lawn. Books and laughter are her favorite things, and she remains committed to inspiring young readers everywhere. The Sand Beneath the Waves marks her picture book debut, blending lyrical storytelling with wonder and curiosity about the natural world.