Michael Hearst is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and writer. He is the author of Chronicle's Uncommon Compendiums series, which includes Unusual Creatures: A Mostly Accurate Account of Some of Earth's Strangest Animals, Extraordinary People: A Semi-Comprehensive Guide to Some of the World's Most Fascinating Individuals, and Curious Constructions: A Peculiar Portfolio of Fifty Fascinating Structures. He is also a founding member of the band One Ring Zero, and his solo works include Songs for Ice Cream Trucks and Songs for Unusual Creatures. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. Hans Jenssen is a Dutch-Norwegian illustrator who has drawn cutaways and cross-sections of vehicle interiors for DK's Star Wars Incredible Cross-Sections series for over twenty years. He lives and works in the United Kingdom.