Bernard Mensah grew up in Ghana, climbing trees, playing soccer, and dreaming up stories at the library. Bernard now lives in the United Kingdom with his two rambunctious boys, where he works in software and writes stories. He is passionate about Black and African representation in publishing and founded HabermanNerds to nurture and promote African storytelling. Esi the Brave (Who Was Not Afraid of Anything) is his debut and the first of several children's books. Annalise Barber-Opp is an illustrator, creating primarily for children and those who are young at heart. In addition to publishing for children, she also teaches young minds as a K-8 art teacher. Both in the classroom and in her artwork, she aims to inspire and empower children through diverse stories.