Nancy Loewen grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, surrounded by library books and cats. She's published more than 140 books for children and young adults. The LAST Day of Kindergarten and Four to the Pole (co-authored with polar explorer Ann Bancroft) were Minnesota Book Award finalists. Her Writer's Toolbox series received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers. Nancy has also received awards from The American Library Association, the New York Public Library, and the Society of School Librarians International. Nancy lives in St. Paul and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. She likes to read, cook, take long walks, and photograph oddities from thrift stores. Please visit her website at nancyloewen.net.
Sara Gray graduated with a BFA in illustration and design from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She has worked as a freelance illustrator for Picture Window Books, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, and Minnesota Parent Magazine. The Word Fun series that Sara worked on with Picture Window Books won the AEP Distinguished Achievement Award and the American Graphic Design Award. Sara currently works at Manhattan Toy Company as a product designer for Manhattan Toy's doll, plush, and puppet lines. Her illustrations also appear on Manhattan Toy's packaging for their Cirque du Soleil product line.
