Laura Crawford, an elementary school teacher since 1992, earned her bachelors degree in elementary education and masters degree in reading at Northern Illinois University. Inspired by her students fascination with United States history, Crawford is also the author of Pelicans The American Revolution from A to Z and The Pilgrims Thanksgiving from A to Z. She resides in Geneva, Illinois, where she is a network representative for the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators and a member of the Illinois Reading Council. Judith Hierstein earned a bachelor of art degree in art education from the University of Iowa. A former elementary-school teacher, she is the illustrator of Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House, The Pilgrims Thanksgiving from A to Z, and the Toby Belfer Series, all published by Pelican. She lives in Tucson, Arizona.