Lester Laminack is considered by many to be a Mister Rogers for teachers. An entertaining and knowledgeable speaker, he draws large audiences and uses this popularity to encourage the daily use of picture books, poetry, and spoken words in the classroom. An expert in childhood literacy, Lester is the author of many professional books for teachers, in addition to his popular picture books. Lester loves cats, but, alas, he is highly allergic to them and can only observe them from afar. Nicole Wong grew up in Fall River, Massachusetts, the daughter of two artists. She drew constantly as a child, including on walls in the family home. She received her first free-lance illustration job at age 12. She went on to earn her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. She is now a full-time illustrator, and still lives in Fall River, with her husband, daughter, a mean (but loveable) cat, and two dogs.