Edie Colon is an elementary school teacher in New York state. She emigrated from Cuba at age 5. This story is based on her childhood. Raul Colon has illustrated several highly acclaimed picture books, including Draw!; the New York Times bestselling Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt; Susanna Reich's Jose! Born to Dance; and Jill Biden's Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops. Mr. Colon lived in Puerto Rico as a young boy and now resides in New City, New York, with his family.