Children's author and poet Nancy Willard was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on June 26, 1936. She attended the University of Michigan, where she received a bachelor's degree in 1958 and a Ph.D in 1963 and Stanford University, where she received her master's degree. In 1982, she received the Newbery Medal for A Visit to William Blake's Inn. She teaches at Vassar College in the English department and currently lives in Poughkeepsie, New York with her husband.
Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut on September 15, 1934. He received a B.F.A. from Pratt Institute in 1956, a M.F.A. from California College of Arts and Crafts in 1969, and a doctoral equivalency from Lone Mountain College in 1970. He has written and/or illustrated more than 200 books including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers. He has received numerous awards for his work including the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure. His murals and paintings can be seen in many churches and monasteries throughout New England. He has designed greeting cards, magazine and record album covers, and… theater sets. His work is shown in galleries and museums.