Karla Arenas Valenti writes stories for and about kids, taking readers on journeys steeped in magical realism and influenced by her Mexican heritage and layered with ideas and concepts she's picked up in her many travels around the world. Esperanza Caramelo is inspired by her abuela-a talented baker! Karla currently resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband and three kids, two cats, and hundreds of books. In addition to picture books, she is the author of the award-winning middle grade novel Loteria. Elisa Chavarri has illustrated numerous books for children including Pura Belpre Honor book Sharuko. She graduated with honors from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she majored in classical animation and minored in comics. Elisa hails from Lima, Peru, and resides in Alpena, Michigan, with her husband and two young children.