Stephen Krensky has published more than 100 books of fiction and non fiction ncluding The Last Christmas Tree, illustrated by Pascal Campion and the Sydney Taylor Award winning, Hannukah at Valley Forge, illustrated by Greg Harlin. He lives in Lexington, Massachusetts with his wife, Joan. Hideko Takahashi was born and raised in Japan. She graduated from Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan, and Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. She has illustrated numerous children's books and magazines. She lives in Seattle, Washington.