Joanne Ryder is the award-winning author of numerous children's books about the natural world, including Little Panda: The World Welcomes Hua Mei at the San Diego Zoo. Some of her other books include Bears Out There, Chipmunk Song, The Snail's Spell, and White Bear, Ice Bear. Before becoming a full-time writer, Joanne worked as a children's book editor in New York City. She lives in California. Margie Moore has illustrated several books for children, including Count the Ways, Little Brown Bear, which PW praised for her aesthetic sense and emotional depth, and Bartholomew's Blessing, which Kirkus described as delightful. She lives with her family in West Belmar, New Jersey.