Padma Venkatraman Bio: Padma Venkatraman describes herself as a writer by choice and an oceanographer by training. Padma has a doctorate in oceanography and was a researcher for many years before she began writing books. She is a popular Asian-American author, having published several successful, award winning novels and picture books. She currently lives and writes in Rhode Island. Baird Hoffmire Bio: Baird Hoffmire is an animator, illustrator, graphic designer and exhibiting artist. He resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his beautiful wife, Jane and his equally lovely daughters, Sadie and Harper. With a BFA in Illustration from Western Carolina University and a BFA in Media Arts and Animation from the Art Institute of Atlanta, Baird has been working as a professional artist for over ten years. His illustrations in Story Cove picture books and animated stories have been enjoyed by tens of thousands of children around the world. Besides painting, illustrating books and spending time with his family, Baird loves to play basketball.