Leslie Kimmelman has written nearly 20 well-regarded children's books, including several that feature Jewish themes and celebrations. She also contributes to Sesame Street Workshop productions. Cynthia Jabar majored in biology and chemistry in college but later turned her attention to art, studying illustration at the Rhode Island College of Design. She has since illustrated 25 children's books.
John Himmelman was born in Kittery, Maine. He received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 1981. He wrote Talester the Lizard while taking a course in writing and illustrating children's books and it became his first published book. To pay the bills, he worked as a cook and then as a carpenter, working on his books at night. It took about six years before he could make a full time living writing and illustrating children's books. He has written and illustrated over 70 children's books, many with nature-related themes. His books include Discovering Moths, Discovering Amphibians, Guide to Night Singing Insects of the Northeast, and Cricket Radio: Tuning In To the Night-Singing Insects.