Author: Judy Young

Judy Young remembers writing a poem for her grandmother when she was about ten. Her grandmother encouraged her to keep writing, and Judy did! Judy is the author of over two dozen children’s picture books and novels, including, Promise, The Wild World of Buck Bray series and the Digger and Daisy series. Judy’s books are used extensively in the public schools and have received numerous awards and honors. One of her most cherished is hearing LeVar Burton read A Pet for Miss Wright for Reading Rainbow Storytime Video to celebrate National Reading Month. Another, was watching as R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet was performed by the University of Utah’s Creative Dance Program.

Judy received her MA in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa and formerly worked in the public schools for 20 years. Now, a frequent speaker at schools, children’s lit fests and professional educational conferences nationwide, Judy’s firsthand experience in the schools makes her programs not only entertaining, but directly related to school curriculum.

Judy resides in the mountains near Mink Creek, Idaho, with her husband, Ross, a professional artist, who illustrated two of Judy’s books. In her spare time, Judy enjoys hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, and gallivanting around the country in “Arlo,” the Young’s traveling studio. Read more about Judy, her books and author visits to schools at www.judyyoungpoetry.com.

Author: Dandi Daley Mackall

Dandi Daley Mackall has published more than 350 books for children and grown-ups, with sales of $3 million in 22 countries. Her publishers include Prentice-Hall, Simon & Schuster, Dutton/Penguin-Putnam, HarperCollins, Harcourt, DreamWorks, Disney, Warner Brothers and Hanna Barbera. Although she has always been interested in Native American culture and history (with the rumor of a distant Native American branch in her own family tree), The Legend of Ohio is her first Native American legend.Dandi is a frequent guest on radio talk shows; has hosted more than 200 radio phone-in programs; and has made dozens of appearances on TV. She was an instructor for Highlights conference and teaches novel writing for the Institute of Children's Literature. Dandi conducts writing assemblies and workshops across the U.S. and keynotes at conferences and young author events. She writes from rural Ohio with her husband, Joe, children Jen, Katy and Dan and their horses, dogs and cats.

Author: Sonia Levitin

Sonia Levitin has written numerous books for children ranging from mystery and adventure to humor and history. She is the winner of multiple prestigious awards, and teaches creative writing at UCLA.

Illustrator: Chris Ellison

Chris Ellison received his formal art training at the Harris School of Art in Franklin, Tennessee, and then later at the Portfolio Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He has illustrated both children's picture books and adult historical fiction for nearly 20 years. Chris has illustrated several books for Sleeping Bear Press including M is for Mom: A Child's Alphabet; The Lucky Star, Rudy Rides the Rails, Pappy’s Handkerchief, a 2007 Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year. His first book with Sleeping Bear Press, Let Them Play, was named a 2006 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. Chris lives in Petal, Mississippi, with his wife, Lesley, and two young sons.

Illustrator: Guy Porfirio

Guy Porfirio has illustrated children's books for many well-known publishers as well as advertising and marketing companies. He is a graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago and attended the School of Visual Arts in New York.