Don Freeman (1908-1978) was the author and illustrator of many popular books for children, including Corduroy, A Pocket for Corduroy, and the Caldecott Honor Book Fly High, Fly Low. During his career as an artist, sketching impressions of Broadway shows for the New York Times and The Herald Tribune, he was introduced to the world of children's literature when William Saroyan asked him to illustrate several books. Soon after, he began to write and illustrate his own books, a career he settled into comfortably and happily. He created many beloved characters in his lifetime, perhaps the most beloved among them a stuffed, overall-wearing bear named Corduroy. Alison Inches is the author of over 80 books for children. She lives in Mill Valley, California. Allan Eitzen grew up in a small town in Minnesota named Mountain Lake. He worked for a publishing house, an advertising agency, and an art therapy program before finally settling into a successful career illustrating magazines and books for children.